Graham Hoete (Mr G) (Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, and Ngāti Awa) is a Ringatoi Matarau / multidisciplinary Māori artist, designer, storyteller from Mōtītī Island and Matakana Island in Tauranga Moana. With over 25 years working full-time in the arts, his mahi spans large-scale mural painting, whakairo, design, kaupapa Māori storytelling, and community engagement projects throughout Aotearoa and internationally.

Graham has also been deeply committed to reclaiming and strengthening his own journey in te reo Māori me ona tikanga. Through that journey, he has become passionate about encouraging others into the language in practical, real, and everyday ways — especially through creativity, kōrero, storytelling, and connection. He fascilitates a weekly kaupapa kōrero initiative in Pāpāmoa called Kawhe Kōrero, helping create a safe, welcoming, and encouraging space for people of all levels to come together and speak te reo Māori without fear of judgement. The kaupapa focuses on building confidence, normalising everyday use of te reo, and strengthening community connection through kōrero and coffee!

Much of Graham’s kaupapa centres around identity, healing, whakapapa, indigenous excellence, and using art and kōrero as a bridge to inspire people into deeper connection with culture, language, and one another.