Pacific and Māori people are lazy, childlike, heathens and in need of saving. These were depictions of the ‘earliest’ writers and researchers, narratives which have been adopted as ‘history’ by outsiders, in an attempt to understand the people and culture they were researching. Sadly, these sort of labels have been passed down through generations and have continued to influence … [Read more...] about The story of the Native Wireless Operators
Tāngata
Dear Aotearoa, from Mum
Ko Papatūānuku tēnei, it’s yo Mama here. I’ve just been hanging about, letting nature do nature, rivers be rivers, skies be skies and after three weeks of Aoteroa Alert Level 4, forced isolation, I want to share my observations. Wairoa, New Zealand Credit Arthur Rasmussen E aku tamariki, you have warmed my soul, I’ve witnessed extraordinary aroha as you’ve celebrated … [Read more...] about Dear Aotearoa, from Mum
Tuna, Tapenade but no Tangihanga
In a world with no Covid-19, the roads to Taranaki would be full of mourners this Easter weekend. Mourners walking to urupā Iwi leaders, language exponents and politicians in full tangi regalia; black suits, pounamu neck pieces and prized gold-capped shark teeth earrings adorning the taringa of kuia. In the rear window of their cars tokotoko (orator's staff) and fedoras … [Read more...] about Tuna, Tapenade but no Tangihanga
Former Māori TV Boss Salutes Huirangi
Soon after arriving at Māori Television as its new CEO in December 2004, I was confronted with a daunting array of reo and tikanga challenges spread far and wide across the organisation. It didn’t help that I was an absolute novice in both domains, and here I was, tasked with aligning our cultural aspirations with the pragmatic requirements of running a brand new Māori … [Read more...] about Former Māori TV Boss Salutes Huirangi
Matangireia – Interviews with Māori Politicians
Matangireia is a series of six videos featuring one-on-one conversations examining the political legacies of Māori politicians. The series was produced by the Aotearoa Media Collective. Here is the intro to the series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZV1YdaQX38 Watch Episode 1 here featuring Metiria Turei: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-p99loSCso Watch … [Read more...] about Matangireia – Interviews with Māori Politicians