Taiaroa Royal (Te Arawa, Kai Tahu, Ngāti Raukawa) is a distinguished New Zealand dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of the Ōkāreka Dance Company (okareka.com). A 1984 New Zealand School of Dance graduate, he performed with the Royal NZ Ballet and Black Grace before co-founding Ōkāreka in 2007, later becoming sole director in 2019.

Artistic Director: Leads Ōkāreka Dance Company, known for merging contemporary dance with Māori themes.

Performance Career: Danced with Douglas Wright Dance Co, Atamira Dance Company, and Limbs Dance Co.

Awards: Awarded the 2023 Toi Kō Iriiri Queer Arts Laureate and 2011 Koowhiti Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Māori dance.

Choreography: Created works for World of Wearable Art (WOW) and NZ Opera.

Education: Taught at UNITEC and the New Zealand School of Dance.

Three years ago, Royal became a 2023 Arts Foundation Te Tumu Toi Laureate. In a career spanning more than four decades Royal has been a major creative presence within our most distinguished dance companies: Limbs, Atamira, Black Grace, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Michael Parmenter and Douglas Wright Dance Company, performing all over the world.

Based in Rotorua, Tai Royal is a prominent figure in NZ performing arts, honored for his long-standing successful career.