Te Hamua Nikora - Host of Homai Te PakiPaki

Elusiv Quick Fire Top Ten

1.  In 1 word, describe the Elusiv brand...

 
MEAN!!!
 

2. Who do you respect the most in life?

 
Anyone who has the nous to get out and do something with life to help themselves AND others… not just sit back and let it kick you in the nono!!!
 

3.  What is the biggest fashion mistake you've ever made?

 
I wore MC Hammer “poo catcher” pants to my high school ball in Gizzy 1991. Not so bad on their own, but teamed with a pink jacket and pink shoes, a white shirt and a paua shell brooch instead of a bow tie… G-Town never knew what hit them!  Funny thing is… I wore it all again a couple more times!!!
 

4.  Do New Zealand men dress better than men from other countries and why?

 
New Zealand men tend to wear what is good for the weather and the day.  Shearing singlets, gum boots, shades and jeans… oh no, maybe that’s just ME!!!  I don’t know about men from other cultures… ask me about their music!!!
 

5.  What is your signature dish?

 
I’m a HAATI East Coastie… I love kaimoana!!!  Take a paua and place a piece of ham and a slice of cheese on it.  Fix in place with toothpicks, then roll in flower, egg wash and bread crumbs (flavoured with garlic flakes)… deep fry!!!  Paua cordon bleu… MEAN!!!  I’m also known for my love of terotero… you better get a Maori dictionary to see what THAT is!!!

 

6.  Which celebrity's style do you admire most?

 
I like the styles of people that rep who they really are.  Guys like Che Fu and DLT rock what makes their hearts sing, Hip-Hop street culture and Aotearoa, that’s why I like ELUSIV, they so Aotearoa it makes my mouth water!

 

7. What is a subject you really want to learn about and educate yourself in?

 
If I had the chance I’d be doing a social work degree.  My dad’s a church pastor and he taught me about helping others less fortunate then ourselves.  We’ve been doing it our whole lives, but I’d like to get a degree so I could do it for a job if i ever got the sack from TV!!!
 

8. What is the greatest skill you have? (Everybody is great at something!)

 
Kare te kumara e korero mo tona ake reka- The kumara never speaks of it’s sweetness… just as well I’m not a kumara!!!  My greatest skill is being able to rock an audience of however many people from any culture at any time… in English and Maori.  I’m an MC, singer/song writer, stand-up comedian, public speaker… and Usher thought HE was Mr Entertainment!

 

9. What is your favourite piece of Elusiv clothing?

 
I love the t-shirts I have worn for the “Homai te Pakipaki” opening titles… with the map of Aotearoa on the front.  No matter where I go, as long as I got one of those shirts I am close to home.
 

10. What topic do you end up debating at parties after a few beers?

 
I don’t actually drink, but politics ALWAYS seems to come in to conversations where I am involved!  I see myself as the first Maori PM of Aotearoa, but I have a few cuzzies that see themselves there too, so we set ourselves up a debating chamber, thrash out the issues, cook a kai… EAT!!!