Wairangi founded the cultural consultancy practice, Tira NZ (formerly known as Tūtira Mai NZ), on a 30 year background in education. A Trained Teachers Certificate of Primary School teaching and Bachelor of Arts in Māori Studies provided the academic background to a career of classroom teaching through to secondary school principalship. Wairangi holds duties on paepae kōrero (orators bench) as a kaumatua in Te Arawa, Tūwharetoa and Maniapoto. He  provides a deep knowledge of te ao Māori which when combined with educational management practices, forms the base to coach, advise and guide organisations on their journey towards cultural leadership and capability.