Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal is a composer, researcher and advisor based in Aotearoa New Zealand. He is passionate about the ‘creative potential’ of indigenous knowledge, creativity and communities. Charles is the leader of ‘whare tapere’ - tribal community ‘houses’ of storytelling, music, dance, games, puppetry and other entertainments. Charles completed doctoral studies on this topic in 1998 and since that time has been creating modern versions of this pre-European form. Charles has written/edited six books on traditional Māori knowledge and tribal histories and traditions. Previously, he was Director of Graduate Studies and Research at Te Wānanga-o-Raukawa (a tribal college) located in Ōtaki, New Zealand (1996-2002), Professor of Indigenous Development and Director, Ngā Pae o te Māramatanga, University of Auckland (2009-2014) and a Director of Te Papa Museum of New Zealand (2016-2019). He is currently Director of the EcoQuest Centre for Indigeneity, Ecology and Creativity (located in Kaiaua) and is the Artistic Director for Ōrotokare: Art, Story, Motion Trust. Charles’s tribal affiliations are Marutūahu, Ngāti Raukawa and Ngā Puhi.

Specialism: Indigenous Theatre and Performing Arts, Music, Theatre