Māori/Japanese violinist, Mana Waiariki (Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) completed her Bachelor of Music with Honours, specialising in Chamber Music at Te Kōki New Zealand School of Music with Helene Pohl for her undergraduate degree (2023) and with Peter Clark for her postgraduate studies (2025). Mana was supported by the Deane Endowment Trust throughout her entire tertiary level studies, and it has funded special projects that have allowed her to attend international music events.
Mana has played with the New Zealand String Quartet as a guest artist on multiple occasions. Mana was on trial with Orchestra Wellington in 2024 and has sat as guest concertmaster for one of their concerts. Mana has played as the guest concertmaster and soloist for the Marlborough Civic Orchestra, guest soloist for the Nelson Symphony Orchestra, and has performed in the Western Sydney Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Dunedin Symphony Orchestra, and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Mana plays a violin on loan to her through the Hill Family Foundation’s Instrument Bank by donor, Karla Mitchell.