Rnz: Te Ahi Kaa

In the lead up to Waitangi Day commemorations, Moana Jackson details the history of the Wai 262 claim and the tireless efforts of the six original claimants as well as the government's response to the claim in the report Ko Aotearoa tenei. Deputy Mayor of Rotorua and former leader of Ngati Rangiwewehi Kapahaka group Trevor Maxwell talks about The Yandall sisters in the wake of Mary Yandalls death at 62 on January 31 2012. Sir Eddie Taihakurei Durie is at Waitangi grounds in 1989 in Nga Taonga korero, our archival segment.

In the first show of the year, Justine Murray is at Ratana Pa and talks to an array of people who explain what the Ratana celebrations mean to them, and how they continue to keep their faith strong. Member of the Motiti Island Iwi liaison team Ngawiki Dickson explains how the island residents are coping in the wake of the Collapse of the Rena Oil Ship.

In the final broadcast before the Summer break, Maraea Rakuraku and Justine Murray present a few favourite stories they've covered over 2011 that include: Harvesting potatoes from a Palmerston North garden, Hirini Moko Mead and the relevance the rebuilding and restoration of tupuna whare Mataatua holds for his Iwi - Ngati Awa, Dayle Takitimu presents the strategies her Iwi Te whanau a Apanui are undertaking to prevent the oil drilling and fracking taking place off their iwi coastline, Ani Mikaere puts into context the distortion of tikanga Maori and its impact upon Maori, Ngapare Hopa recalls those who contributed to her education that resulted in being the first Maori doctorate from Oxford University while eight year old Hinetaapora Short dreams about what she wants to be when she grows up that, pretty much includes everything. As well as the history behind Tyna Keelan's East Coast Girls and a live studio performance from Cornerstone Roots.

In Te Ahi Kaa this week, Maraea learns more about healing papatuanuku at the International Healers conference in Waiohau, Maori news in the mainstream is discussed further with Dr Judy McGregor at a panel discussion and Moana Jackson analyses how Maori will be affected under the current government.

Cross-communication can occur at all levels where ta moko is involved whether it's price negotiation at an event created to 'market" Maori art or drinking establishments who see no difference with gang insignia. Justine Murray is with ta moko artist Mark Kopua who provides insight on both. Ngati Mutunga history is a painful one yet one that is about survival and resilience as Maraea Rakuraku finds when she attends the opening of their exhibition at Puke Ariki; Mutunga Our legacy, Our challenge, Our future.

Maraea Rakuraku is in Waiohau, eastern bay of plenty at a Healers wananga where they believe the overall wellbeing of people is connected to nature and to ones surroundings, she finds out more with Mere Butler. Justine Murray talks to 22 year old John McLeod health scholarship recipient Ibrahim Soloman, and Tokoroa New World supermarket owner Damon Jakeman is proud of winning a tohu at this years Maori language awards.

How many of us immortalise our parents courtship and life together in a book? Exactly. Yet, that's what the Nathan whanau did when they approached longtime friend and writer Patricia Grace to tell the story of their parents. The result is Ned and Katina, A true love story (2009). One of their sons Manos Nathan talks with Maraea Rakuraku about the process they used. Justine Murray chats with soon to be Bachelor in Pharmacy graduate and 2011 John Mcleod Health scholar Caroline Blutcher and, tours Te Hotu Manawa o Rangitane o Manawatu Marae, Palmerston North with Huataki Whareaitu.

Author Ani Mikaere talks about tikanga maori and the role of wahine Maori as outlined in her book He Rukuruku Whakaaro: Colonising Myths - Maori Realities. From his studio in Rotorua Lewis Gardiner talks about the Hei Matau (fish hook) mint coin he designed and Justine is with Te Rongo Kirkwood at Maori market 2011.

When your supermarket is the ocean and the ocean becomes poisoned, what do you do? Well, you mobilise of course - which is what happened when a grounded ship started to leak oil into the sea off the coast of Tauranga at the beginning of October. Justine Murray joined the effort 9 days later and reports on Operation Rena gaining an Iwi, Hapu and whanau perspective at what is being described as New Zealand's worst ecological disaster to date.

Not quite committed to getting Ta moko? How about wearing clothing with Ta moko inspired designs? Justine Murray meets Pahnia Skinner and Leilani Rickard of Iwi Creations who with Lyonel Grant design stockings with a difference . Maraea Rakuraku drops in on Iron Maori co-founder Heather Te Au Skipworth at her home in Pakipaki and on the eve of receiving a Creative New Zealand award for his work within his Iwi, Te Whakatohea - Te Riaki Amoamo looks back at his life.

Designer David Hakaraia created each of the Man of the Match taonga that select players receive following their performance in their Rugby World Cup games. Maraea Rakuraku has a chat to the 34 year old Navy Sailor turned designer. Justine Murray learns more about the history of the Otaki Maori Racing Club with Jim Winiata and his daughter Teresa Fulford, and in an archival recording from 1984 Keri Kaa interviews Robyn Kahukiwa.

With the November election fast approaching Maori need to shake up their ideas and get to polling booths whether they are living here or in Australia. Especially given the Referendum on the New Zealand Voting System. That's according to Dr Maria Bargh who presents her findings from a survey of Mozzies (Maori Australians). Combine a witty sense of humour that is very much grounded in being Maori, superb musicianship and you have Tyna Keelan. He kicks back in the studio and shoots the breeze with Maraea Rakuraku. Justine Murray takes in the art at Maori Market 2011.

How important is the health of your feet? For a small group of Maori in Pakipaki their six weekly visits to Taraia Marae to see the podiatrist, its very important. Maraea talks to the whanau there and podiatrist Neville Crockett. Justine Murray is with Photographer and Digital artist Norm Heke at this exhibition OMG: Maori Gods in the 21st century.

Maraea Rakuraku is with Dr Ngapare Hopa, the first Maori woman to graduate with a PHD from Oxford University and a Ta Kingi Ihaka award recipient at this years Nga taonga toi a Te Waka Toi. Justine Murray is with Meihana Durie at Te Wananga o Raukawa where a new Maori wellbeing facility is being built. Justine Murray puts forward the question to three Te Arawa youth, What contribution do you want to make for the future of your iwi?

Saana Murray (1925 - 2011) espouses the benefits of Kumara Hou known for its medicinal purposes at an Ethnobotany hui in Christchurch in the late 1980's, print maker Marilyn Webb recalls her artistic career that came about through the revolutionary teachings of Gordon Tovey (1901-1974) and Ngati Porou Seth Haapu is proudly Indie-pop

Maraea Rakuraku is with Academic Dr Hirini Moko Mead who traces the history of Mataatua Whare Tipuna as iwi Ngati Awa mark its return with an official opening on September 17th 2011. In an archival segment from Te Ahi Kaa 2009, the church whanau talk about their love of Rodeo, and Tai Kerekere is one of this year's Nga Taonga Toi a te waka toi scholarship recipients.

In Te Ahi Kaa, the life of Maori Rugby legend George Nepia is the subject of the play I, George Nepia written by Hone Kouka of Tawata productions. Maraea Rakuraku is with Director Jason Te Kare and actor Jarod Rawiri. Awanui Reeder talks about his journey so far as a solo artist off the back of his EP release Native Intel, and Justine Murray talks to Te Waka Toi recipient Karangawai Marsh.

In Te Ahi Kaa, we feature an archival recording of te reo Māori advocate and Ngati Pōrou Sir Tamati Reedy.  The event is the World Indigenous peoples conference in education held at Tūrangawaewae marae, Hamilton in 1990 where he delivers a powerful speech about retaining language and identity. Selwyn Rawiri  is a nominee in the Best Māori Male solo category at this years Waiata Māori awards he has a chat with Justine, and we profile Mitai Village in Rotorua with Te Hau Wetini.

For Kawata Teepa its one of his proudest moments. Leading the team of Andrew Burdan and Elton Gregory that has in graphic novel form retold the last 36 hours of 28 Maori Battalion soldier, Te Moana nui a Kiwa Ngarimu (1918-1943), the first Maori awardee of the Victoria Cross. Tina Ratana Olsen talks about the outcome of the Kohanga Reo Trust urgent hearing held at the Waitangi Tribunal recently. Maria Kapa sings her version of Te Arawa waiata, Hinemoa - opera styles and Te Whanau a Apanui Iwi fear the exploratory oil drilling taking place off their coastline, at the moment may result in the environmental disaster that was the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Dayle Takitimu explains the Iwi position.

During his lifetime, Sir Paul Reeves (1932-2011) held a number of high-profile positions from Anglican Archbishop to New zealand first Maori Governor General. But it was in 1990 when asked by Henare te Ua who he was answerable too, in his new role representing the Anglican Communion at the United Nations, he quipped, "Every night I report to my maker". Te Ahi Kaa presents an excerpt from that encounter.