Rnz: Te Ahi Kaa

Te Ahi Kaa Contributor Takiri Butler presents He Kai Ora, an insight into healthy eating.

Justine Murray is in Porirua and reflects upon the towns 50 year history since it officially became a city.

Justine Murray visits Taumarunui and talks to those who are effecting positive change.

In part one of this three part series, Justine Murray visits a community and talks to those who are effecting positive change.

In this final episode of Te Reo o te Raki (Voices of the North) 82 year old Sonny Wellington is a bit of a 'lone' kaumatua in his communities of Tutukaka and Ngunguru. He carries out blessing ceremonies, he sits on a number of community boards, spends time with residents at local rest homes and to keep active he runs the Kia Ora Ngatiwai Line Dancing group. Lois Williams is with Sonny at Ngunguru Marae to talk about his life in the Northland.

Te Ahi Kaa features coverage of a panel discussion of where Cyril Chapman, Vivian Hutchinson and David Williams reflect on their involvement in the 1975 Land March lead by Te Rarawa Kuia Dame Whina Cooper (1895 - 1994)

Steve Danby rummages through the archives and provides an insight into the New Zealand Opera Company's production of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. The cast included American performers, an all-Māori chorus and the famous baritone – and arguably star of the production – Inia Te Wiata. The year was 1965, and Māori broadcaster Wiremu Parker covered the spectacle. In fact it was The Māori Programme show that made the only recordings of the rehearsal. Steve analyses the Opera, its popular score and the landscape of the country at that time.

Coming up just after 5-30, the Manu Korihi news team brings you highlights of the weeks' Maori news, including: Police actions in Whakatane questioned; Maori water rights; Would you live in a Maori language 'district'?

Millan Ruka works as a river patrol ranger in Northland, encouraging the community and local councils to bring back the health of the rivers. It all began five years ago when Millan became aware of the dire polluted state of the Wairua River on the outskirts of Whangarei. Lois WIlliams gets an insight into this environment crusader on a mission.

It was the creativity of her mother and a trip to the New York that inspired Taaniko Nordstrom to create a business taking portraits.  The subjects of the portrait wear a mix of traditional and modern clothing worn during colonial times in Aotearoa. Justine Murray visits their studio at Papamoa.

Ricky Houghton is on a mission to improve housing for Māori families in the Far North region.

Nora Rameka talks about her life in the Far North with regional reporter Lois Williams in part one of a new series Te Reo o te Raki.

Raising awareness, removing the stigma, and creating resilience is what more Māori in the mental and health sector are working towards in the area of Suicide prevention. Another side of the coin, is the stigma associated with suicide and the impact is has upon tikanga Māori and whanau. Justine Murray finds out more about the issue with Māori who work at the frontline of suicide prevention.

Ko te piko o te māhuri, tera te tupu o te rākau. They way in which the young sapling is nurtured, determines how strong it will grow as a tree. This whakatāuki speaks to the theme of a National Suicide Prevention hui hosted by Te Runanga o Ngāti Pikiao, in Rotorua. Justine Murray presents coverage of the conference, and speaks to those directly affected by it, and gains an insight into what the solutions are to decrease the rising statistics of suicide amongst Māori.

Narelle and Ellison Huata talk about the life and legacy of their father, the late composer, mentor and Māori performing arts teacher, Tama Huata.

Upper Hutt Posse began as a four piece reggae band in 1985, going on to release New Zealand's fist rap song 'E Tu' in 1988. Other songs include 'Ragga Girl', 'Stormy Weather' and 'Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou' (We will keep fighting). Justine Murray is with founder Te Kupu at his home to reflect on those thirty years, the music, the controversy and the political and socially conscious messages that have not wavered over time.

Regan and Sasha Perry are brothers, fathers and musicians. Roots and Reggae music has been their signature sound, but their music style is as eclectic as their upbringing. They moved from town to town but settled in Te Kuiti and grew up in the tight-knit Māori community.  Both brothers share their story with Justine Murray in part two of the Te Ahi Kaa music series, Manu Tioriori.

Miria George wrote Niwa Begins and Jamie McCaskill wrote Kia ora Bro, issues of sexism and the stigma of not speaking te reo m-aori were the themes of their episodes. Both are also working on the month long Ahi Kaa festival in Wellington that begins on June 9th, they talk about the line-up with Justine Murray.

The drama continues in the second season of Skin Writing produced by Jason Te Kare. Award winning Playwrights Jamie McCaskill and Miria George wrote episodes for the radio drama serial set in a Taa Moko studio, Underworld.

The drama continues in the second season of Skin Writing - the the radio drama set in a ta moko studio, The Underworld.Written by award-winning playwrights Whiti Hereaka and Jamie McCaskill. produced by Jason Te Kare.