Rnz: Te Ahi Kaa

Rob McGowan also known as Pa Ropata knows Māori medicine.  The former Catholic priest was taken under the ‘wing’ of Kuia Rua Henare from Whanganui in the mid 1970's and learned about the many medicinal properties of native plants or Rongoā Māori. From the Te Ahi Kaa archives,  Jerome Cvitanovich visits Pa Ropata at his home on the outskirts of Tauranga.

Former broadcaster, author and educator Dr Haare Williams provides an insight into the practices of Māori culture, he argues that women should take up speaking rites on the marae, normally reserved for men. Dr Wayne Ngata returns this week to talk about why it's vital for the younger generation to be accorded speaking roles on the oratory bench and more importantly why whanau should allow them to take charge.

Marae are only as strong as it's people, that's according to Dr Wayne Ngata who agrees that Tikanga Māori is in the most part about doing what is practical. In the wake of the Covid 19 lockdown many are taking to social media and communicating with eachother through online platforms, Dr Ngata says this space could be the new 'marae' of the future.  Justine Murray joins Dr Ngata for a conservation exploring the function of marae and the act of koha, giving to others.

In light of the COVID 19 pandemic - the guidelines around funerals, cremation and tangihanga has changed. What this means for Maori is adjusting Tikanga that is - how the ceremonial rites of mourning and burial is conducted. Professor Pou Temara remembers the stories told to him by his grandparents about the impact of the 1918 influenza epidemic and how tikanga was adjusted then, he joins Te Ahi Kaa this week.

Reviving customary practises was part of the conversation at a recent marae gathering in Tauranga. Carvers, Clay makers, painters and customary tattoo artists came together to share their stories that relate to the impact of colonisation and their collective approach to educating the mainstream tattoo industry. Justine Murray is at the gathering at Whareroa Marae in Tauranga.

The University of Auckland's Faculty of Arts has around five thousand students and over two hundred staff. Academic and Kaiārahi Dr Hirini Kaa is the driver or navigator of the Ako Arts Programme which aims to embed Māori and Pacifica knowledge into the faculty's course content. Piloted in 2018, Ako Arts is largely about reciprocal learning and mentorship. Dr Hirini Kaa joins Justine Murray for a kōrero on this week's Te Ahi Kaa.

Hiwirori Maynard is a musician, a kapahaka performer and a taa moko artist. One of his designs is the MOKO guitar, MOKO is an acronym for MY OWN KIND OF…..the artist draws intricate koru patterns onto the wood, to date he's created sixty of these guitars. Te Ahi Kaa visits his studio at Mount Maunganui where he talks about his artwork for his upcoming exhibition in Hastings.

Te Ahi Kaa features an episode of the six part podcast series He Kakano Ahau. This week host and researcher Kahu Kutia explores the story behind Taputeranga Marae founded by Bruce Stewart (1937-2017). Stewarts daughter Pare Sannyasi talks about how her father built and created a space for people from all walks of life. Taputeranga would go on to shelter thousands of people from all walks of live and professions throughout the years. In 2019 the marae was destroyed in a fire, but the family are determined it will stand again. Hear the story in this week's episode of Te Ahi Kaa.

Te Ahi Kaa features an episode of the six part series He Kakano Ahau - Presenter Kahu Kutia explores stories about Urban Maori, weaving together strands of connection. This week Kahu is in Wellington and spends time with Kayla Riarn and Ariki Brightwell who share their personal stories about gender and sexuality.

Te Ahi Kaa features an episode of the six part series He Kakano Ahau - Presenter Kahu Kutia explores stories about Urban Maori, weaving together strands of connection. This week Kahu travels to the South Island where she meets up with Kiwa Kahukura-Denton who is studying towards becoming a youth worker. Kiwa shares his experience of being a 'fish out of water' at a new university trying to make meaningful connections while also adapting his culture and beliefs within a city life setting.

Te Ahi Kaa features an episode of the six part series He Kakano Ahau - Presenter Kahu Kutia explores stories about Urban Maori, weaving together strands of connection. This week she joins Ngarimu Blair to explore parts of Auckland city, recalling stories of local history along the way, and she heads to Orakei, a place steeped in political history. Local resident Hana Maihi talks about her identity and growing up in a tight-knit community.

Kura Te Waru Rewiri grew up in the Far North, she went to Paihia school, and then onto Bay of Islands and Northlands College. Her teacher Buck Nin recognised her talent as an artist and enrolled her at Ilam, the School of Fine Arts at Canterbury University. Kura describes this period as a culture shock, but she formed close friends through the campus Māori Club and Nga Tama Toa. As a painter her work is held in galleries her and overseas. Te Ahi Kaa joins Kura in light of her recognition for her service to Māori art and this years Te Waka Toi Awards. In the final show for the year, Te Ahi Kaa features a few highlights from stories covered during 2019.

For Fifty five years, Rex Homan has worked as a wood artist and sculptor. His ideas stem from Maori stories, animals and in particular birds. His 'stylised pieces' have won a raft of awards, have exhibited in overseas galleries, and Rex has had regular commissioned work. Derek Lardelli is a composer, taa moko artist and Professor Ahorangi at the School of Maori Visual Art, Toihoukura. Both men were honoured at the recent Te Waka Toi awards and feature in this weeks episode of Te Ahi Kaa.

Te Ahi Kaa is in Rotorua at the Te Waka Toi Awards, hosted by Creative New Zealand. The annual event honours the achievements of Maori artists who have a made a significant contribution to their field. Installation artist and weaver Maureen Lander discusses the 'magic' of being taught by the late Diggeress Te Kanawa and Pounamu artist Lewis Gardiner talks about his business Rakai Jade, and the impact of the greenstone tourism market, their stories coming up in this weeks episode of Te Ahi Kaa.

Graham Hoete also known as the artist "Mr G", is well known for his large scale murals, one that grabbed worldwide attention was of the late artist Prince, MR G painted the late singer in Sydney and by invitation, in Minnesota in 2016. These days he lives in his hometown of Tauranga and a few weeks ago debuted his exhibition called 'Home'. Te Ahi Kaa is with Mr G to talk about his artwork and upcoming projects, and how he overcame his struggle with depression, that's coming up after the six o clock news.

Dr Haare Williams returns with part two of an interview about his book 'Words of a Kaumatua' a collection of poetry and prose. The former broadcaster talks about recording the stories of the Maori experience, like asking poet Hone Tuwhare for an impromptu poem while walking to Waitangi during a protest, or travelling down the Waikato river recording stories about the New Zealand Land Wars. He recites a few of his poems and talks about his artwork in this week's episode of Te Ahi Kaa.

Dr Haare Williams is RNZ Alumni having worked as part of the Maori unit in the formative years of public broadcasting, this week he released the book 'Words of a Kaumatua' edited by Witi Ihimaera. The book is part biographical and features a collection of poetry written by Williams over the years. Te Ahi Kaa is at his home in Auckland to talk about the book and how an idyllic childhood at Ohiwa harbour shaped a career in education and broadcasting.

Te Ahi Kaa is with revered orator and Māori language exponent, Professor Pou Temara who discusses the evolution of Māori customary practices as seen on the marae. The marae, a complex of buildings belonging to tribal groups is described by Temara as the 'last bastion of Māori culture'. Professor Temara discusses how the marae 'space' is being re-defined as society shifts.

Former co-leader of the Maori Party Marama Fox entered parliament in 2014. During her term, she says she experienced overt racism, and was against using the term 'Vulnerable' in the now named 'Ministry for Children'. in this final episode of the political legacy series Matangireia, Marama opens up about her time in parliament and how her personal circumstances have changed since her departure.

Former Māori politician Tau Henare admits that he misses parliament - during his political career he was a member of the National Party, New Zealand First, and the leader of Mauri Pacific. Morgan Godfery joins Tau Henare to reflect upon his time in parliament as part of the political legacy series, Matangireia.