Rnz: Te Ahi Kaa

Professor Michael Walker was the recipient of two awards at this year's Prime Ministers National Tertiary Excellence awards, he talks to Justine Murray. Peata Melbourne is heading a project that will see the works of her uncle, Hirini Melbourne, covered by some of today's emerging maori artists. And Kingi Biddle is off to Las Vegas to compete at the International Toastmasters competition.

Te Ahi Kaa this week features the documentary Remembering Makareti produced by Paul Diamond. It delves into the extraordinary life of Makareti Papakura also known as Guide Maggie famous for her tour guides at the Whakarewarewa village in Rotorua, her academic achievements at Oxford, and the love of her home and people.

Hear the sweet voices of Musical Island boys and their take on the Maori classic waiata, Po Atarau. We continue our tribute to Dame Katarina Te Heikoko Mataira and her tireless work into the revitilisation of te reo Maori, and Justine is at Te Roro o te Rangi Marae in Ohinemutu, Rotorua.

On July 16th 2011, Dame Katerina Te Heikoko Mataira died. Her contribution to Te Ao Maori and Te Ao Pakeha is profiled in a series of Radio New Zealand archival recordings. Maori Battalion Vet Arthur Midwood recalls his days post Battle for Crete in 1941, which would not have been amiss as a story in the popular Commando series of comics, and Justine talks to brother and sister Taria and Arapeta Tahana about their involvement in building succession plans for Te Arawa Iwi

Maori Journalism, how far has it come? Te Ahi Kaa features part two of a panel discussion with Chris Winitana, Maramena Roderick and Jon Stokes; we feature coverage of the Waiariki Maori journalism course 25th reunion in Rotorua and Maraea visits Tipu Ora Niho Oranga, a maori dental clinic in Rotorua.

In 1987 Chris Winitana was the tutor of the then newly set up Waiariki Polytechnic Maori Journalism course in Rotorua, one of his students in that intake was Maramena Roderick. Chris has gone to set up Kura and Kohanga Reo and has produced a number of audio and reading maori language resources, Maramena became an award winning Journalist. Twenty four years on, both teacher and student are in a panel discussion with Maraea Rakuraku, joined with Journalist Jon Stokes about the state of Maori Journalism today, has anything changed in 24 years?

The theme of this years Te Wiki o te reo Maori (July 03-July 10) is manaakitanga and this week Te Ahi Kaa presents aspects of it in action. Justine Murray is in a garden with Pakeha botanist Jenny Hickman, Maraea Rakuraku spends time with Chris Karaitiana - a Napier based counselor helping Maori whanau create violent -free lifestyles and a Whanganui whanau reminisce about the sacrifices made by their old people that will benefit generations to come.

How far has Waka Navigation come? In our archival recording we're back in 1992 welcoming back Te Aurere waka from Rarotonga which set out on its maiden voyage, and Justine Murray talks to Awhina Twomey about to embark on a Pacific Voyage of her own aboard the waka Te Matau a Maui.

Miria George and Hone Kouka of Tawata Productions talk about some of the more challenging aspects of creating Maori theatre and the upcoming Matariki Development Festival helping to grow Maori writing. Nothing like the promise of boil-up to motivate Justine Murray in joining the harvesting of Taewa Maori - Maori potatoes with Dr Nick Roskruge in Palmerston North and the year is 1987, the location is Waiariki Polytech, Rotorua and the subject is Maori journalism.

This year on June 10th marks the 125th anniversary of the eruption of Mount Tarawera.

Maraea visits Otakanini incorporation a finalists in in this years Ahuwhenua Farming Award, and Justine meets four Hawaiian Students at Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Mana Tamariki.

Koha for kai that's the go at a café in Lower Hutt, Wellington Maraea Rakuraku finds out more, and Justine Murray tours a marae in Nelson, Whakatu that still feels the impact of Raupatu today but, in a very practical sense.

Maraea Rakuraku attends this year's Victoria University Alumni dinner in which Maori writer and Director Taika Waititi is honoured.

Following in the tradition of Lapita pottery, Maori clay artistry is going strong as Maraea Rakuraku discovers when she attends a Nga Kaihanga Uku wananga.

How does one cope with sudden celebrity after being on a reality show? - Te Ahi Kaa asks Cameron Petley.

Aunty's Garden in Waipatu is all about growing mara kai.

E kore matou e warewaretia - 28th Maori Battalion special.

Bookbinder Joshua Kauta shows Maraea Rakuraku around his workroom in Omaio.

Massey University PHD student Zirsha Wharemate is researching Maori potatoes.

Description: Te Tai Tonga MP Rahui Katene talks about the Marine and Coastal Takutai Moana Act 2011.