Rnz: Te Ahi Kaa

In Te Ahi Kaa, Samoan Singer Bella Kalolo can also add Ngati Porou to her heritage after her late mother uncovered Maori ancestry in her whakapapa, Justine Murray catches up with her at this year's Pao Pao Pao. Huia Publishers is the foremost Maori publishing house in New Zealand, this week they celebrated their 21st Birthday, Founder Robyn Bargh reflects on those early years to the impacts of technology and publishing. Award winning Playwright Hone Kouka explains more about this years Matariki Development festival for emerging and established playwrights.

The Transit of Venus has come and gone but there're a few things post-transit that you can see at the exhibition Te Ara Kopu: Transit of Venus on at Tairawhiti Museum,Victor Walker explains the five components of the exhibition with Our changing World producer Veronika Meduna. Matariki celebrations are taking shape in different forms, Maraea Rakuraku talks to artist Andrea Hopkins about her upcoming art exhibition He Iti He Pounamu staged at Quarry Centre, Whangarei and Justine Murray takes in the action at a Matariki community festival, Wellington. In an archival recording from 1988, Veteran Broadcaster Henare Te Ua presents highlights of the 36th annual conference of the Maori women's welfare league in Nelson.

In Te Ahi Kaa this week, Maraea Rakuraku visits the great Kauri tree, Tanemahuta at Waipoua Forest and is accompanied by Te Roroa Kaumatua, Daniel Ambler who outlines the current threats to the forest. Hutt City Council Maori liaison officer Alma Andrews talks about Marae related projects she's co-ordinating, and the Ahuwhenua Maori Farming awards will include a new taonga acknowledging young farmers, Kingi Smiler explains more with Justine Murray.

The Transit of Venus is when the planet Venus moves across the face of the sun, and it's what brought James Cook to the Pacific and onto New Zealand in 1769. This year on the 5th and 6th of June many will gather in Uawa, Tolaga Bay on the East Coast to re-live that event. With the next transit taking place in 2117, it's your last opportunity to see the once, maybe twice in a lifetime occurrence because they do occur in pairs, eight years apart and it won't be seen for another 105 years . Maraea Rakuraku is with Wayne Ngata who provides insight into the significance of the transit for Uawa Maori. Justine is in Porangahau, Central Hawkes Bay and visits Rongomaraeroa Marae and the nearby place that takes its name from the tupuna, Tamataeapokaiwhenua.

Stephen King is the driving force behind the Waipoua Forest Trust and his work in its preservation is legendary in the northland, Maraea Rakuraku learns more about the current state of the forest including the threat of Kauri Dieback. Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Tamakinuiarua will celebrate its 20th birthday this weekend, principal Brian Paewai provides an historical account of the school with Justine Murray. At age 19 Emma Paki started singing with Black Katz and in the early 1990's, she joins us in this week's show for a catch up.

In Te Ahi Kaa, Black Inc Media produces two TV shows, both showing in prime time slots. Atamira showcases Maori Theatre on Maori Television, while on TV 3, The GC follows a handful of Maori who are living large on the Gold Coast, Australia. In its debut week, critics took to social and online media and heavily criticised The GC, Maraea Rakuraku talks to producer Bailey Mackey who answers some of the negative publicity and explains why the formats of both shows are relevant. Justine Murray checks out Who Dat Sheila, the one woman comedy show of Parekotoku Moore. In an archival recording from 1994, Henare Te Ua is with Arnold Manaaki Wilson (1928 - 2012)

It can be rugged being a comedian. What if you're Maori, not completely sure about your whakapapa and part of your comedy routine kind of takes the mickey out of that. Justin Hansen aka Gish who is part of the 2012 line-up at the New Zealand Comedy Festival is with Justine Murray talking identity and the inspiration behind parodying popular songs in his routine Gish-takes. It may have had a 25 year gestation period but now that's it's here Chris Szekely is enjoying the ride. He talks with Maraea Rakuraku about Rahui ,the Childrens Picture Book illustrated by Malcolm Ross that's garnering some attention. What binds an exhibition together featuring woollen blankets are both physical, metaphorical and spiritual threads as Maraea Rakuraku discovers when she walks through the aptly named, Common Thread (01 March - 13 May 2012)with Curator Natalie Friend. Music featured is from the Richards Nunns, Whirimako Black collaboration; Te More ; A Work in Ten Parts for Vocals and Taonga Puoro.

In Te Ahi Kaa Matiu Love of the 28th Maori Battalion D Company recalls the time he left Aotearoa for World War 2 when he was just 17 and his cultural experience of Italy. Justine Murray is in Palmerston North with kaumatua from around the country taking part in a Maori Sports and games day. Dalvanius Prime talks to veteran broadcaster Henare te Ua about the success of the waiata Poi E in an archival recording from 1988.

Te Ahi Kaa presents its ANZAC special 2012. What are the on-going effects of War? Maraea Rakuraku gets a personal account from her whanaunga Grace Turuwhenua and whanau friend Joe Matene about the dioxin spray widely known as Agent orange and it's devastating impact upon their whanau. Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae delivered his Anzac speech at the National War memorial, Justine Murray was there and Kahu Waitoa talks about the legacy left by his grandfather Henare Waitoa.

In Te Ahi Kaa: Justine Murray gets the lowdown with Makere Nepe Apatu Thorstensen from Waipukurau Central Health about Pepi pods and how they make it safe to co-sleep with baby; Rotorua born Merenia Gilles had a record deal at age 16 and she's been rocking music ever since both locally and internationally, Maraea Rakuraku catches up with her; Ani Pahuru-Huriwai talks about He Konae Ako: E Nati, an online resource that reconnects Ngati Porou with their traditions and; In an archival recording from 1983, Henare te Ua discusses a range of topics with Peter Tapsell (1930 - 2012) including the use of te reo Maori in schools and in broadcasting.

The Tuakana mentoring scheme at The University of Auckland was created by Professor Michael Walker some 20 years ago, Maraea Rakuraku talks to him about the programme and its impact on past and present students. Justine Murray is with Wellington representatives from 12 local Marae training how to run a welfare centre in the event of a natural disaster. Maree Sheehan was part of the Maori wave of singers such as Emma Paki and Moana Maniapoto that were releasing music in the 1990's. For the past 15 years she's been out of the spotlight, Justine Murray has a catch up with her to find out what she's been up to.

The Venerable Reverend Dr Hone Te Kauru Kaa (1941-2012) was well known for his advocacy for the wellbeing of children but it's the trips back home and the funny debates with his sister Keri Kaa, that Ani Pahuru-Huriwai will miss. In an archival recording from 1980, Whai Ngata discusses the work of the Auckland Anglican Mission with Dr Kaa. Maori Catholic will gather en masse at Te Hui Aranga this Easter in Opononi. Raana Mareikura describes the history of the event that has run since 1946 to Maraea Rakuraku. Justine Murray profiles Takapuwahia Marae, Wellington.

Charlizza Harris is a name to watch out for. The 18 year old doesn't let her age or lack of finances stop her from achieving her dreams or better yet allowing others to achieve theirs. She chats with Maraea Rakuraku about 'The Waka of Love', a play she's written and directed for a cast of 18 Wellington school students. After 20 years in the shearing industry what made Erin Sandilands try her hand at midwifery? Justine Murray finds out and Mamae Takerei explains the close ties between Tonga and Waikato Tainui.

Music promoter and producer Vicky Gordon feels it's about time the patriarchy got a shakeup in the music industry as she explains to Maraea Rakuraku. Justine Murray profiles Maraeroa Marae and what does a suburb in New Plymouth have to do with Tiger Woods?

Young Maori actors Roimata Fox and Whatanui Flavell share their challenges of being part of the cast of the Maori Shakespeare Play Toroihi raua Ko Kahira, while Producer Grace Hoet outlines the financial constraints of taking the play overseas. Maori Lawyer Donna Hall talks to Maraea Rakuraku about her work with Sir Graham Lattimer and the New Zealand Maori Councils involvement with hapu (sub-tribes) and ownership of resources. Maraea visits Levin Kokiri and gets a lesson with weavers Ina Jensen and Paki Brown, and Justine takes in Te Ra o Kupe festival at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori.

How many Marae in New Zealand can boast 11 levels and counting? Justine Murray visits Taputeranga Marae, Wellington, with founder Bruce Stewart and tours the complex with his daughter, Pari. Millie Hawiki has lived in Wellington for well over 60 years. She recalls the culture shock experienced when she first arrived in the city during the 1950's fresh from an isolated, only Maori speaking community. Deborah Kapohe and Phillip Rhodes are bringing to stage the life of rangatira Hohepa Te Umuroa in an opera premiering at the 2012 New Zealand International Arts festival. They're with Maraea Rakuraku.

Muturangi Hauora is doing their bit for their community in Moera, by running a weekly foodbank at its offices, Justine Murray is there with the volunteers. Patrica Graces Novel TU is featured as part of this years International Arst Festival Maraea Rakuraku is with the Cast, and in the series Nga Marae o te motu Bruce Aranga explains the history of Te Mangungu Marae, Naenae in Lower Hutt.

Combining printing skills with his open brethren faith led to pakeha Graeme Batley establishing Maori Postal, the Whanganui based organisation behind daily mailouts of bible lessons and scripture in te reo Maori. Tainui Iwi are the tangata whenua hosts at Te Papa Tongarewa for the next four years. Justine Murray tours the exhibition Tai Timu, Tai Pari, Tainui Journey of a People with Te Makau Te Ruki. Playwright John Broughton's play Michael James Manaia returns after a 20 year hiatus for the 2012 International Arts Festival. He has a one on one chat with Maraea Rakuraku.

Victoria law lecturer Carwyn Jones details what the impact of partial state asset sales will mean for Maori, Te Arawa kaumatua Ken Keneti explains the relevance of a conference on Ancient Traditions and Cultures and artist James Molnar plys his trade at Maori Market 2011.

Throughout the 18th century, moko mokai/ toi moko/ mummified human heads was an accepted currency between Maori and traders with many ending up in European museums. Now toi moko are making their way home through a repatriation scheme involving Te Papa Tongarewa. Justine Murray meets Te Herekiekie Herewini, the manager leading the process. Maraea Rakuraku spends time with carver Lewis Gardiner in his studio based at Te Puia, Rotorua and Janice Mangere shows her round Taraia Marae, Pakipaki. Margaret Mutu talks about the Iwi Chairs Forum response to the crowns announcements regarding the State Owned Enterprises Act (1986).