The philosophy of Te Ahi Kaa is to reflect the diversity of Māori in the past, present and future. While bilingual in delivery, the programme incorporates Māori practices and values in its content, format and presentation
Te Ahi Kaa - Highlights of 2016
From Te Ahi Kaa, 6:05 pm on 25 December 2016
As Te Ahi Kaa winds down we feature a few highlights from the stories covered this year.
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Dr Mary McEwen released the biography of Jock McEwen this year at Orongomai Marae.
Mana Vaultier flipped burgers and pumped petrol to put himself through college. Hard work paid off and today he works as an Aerospace Engineer at NASA. Mana was invited to speak with students from colleges across the North Island at the launch of Pūhoro Science Academy at Massey University.
Language exponent Liz Hunkin is aware of the harsh criticism language learner’s face when met with fluent speakers, she says sometimes it can just ‘a look’ that can stifle their learning. Liz Hunkin and was acknowledge for her work at this year’s Te Waka Toi awards. Liz talks about the method created by Te Kumeroa Ngoingoi Pēwhairangi and Katarina Mataira.
Mark Bradley is an example of someone who persevered with his language learning despite having the odds stacked against him. Born in Surrey Mark came to New Zealand to play Rugby and instead was inspired to learn the Māori language while studying at Victoria University. Dabbling in the language became an obsession and Mark attended Kura Reo (week long wānanga – seminar). Today he is Principal of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Nga Mokopuna, Wellington.
Te Maakarini Temara is a composer and tutor of Kapahaka who was involved in the organising leading up to this years Mataatua Regional Kapahaka competitions, Te Ahi Kaa went behind the scenes.
Dr Mary McEwen wrote the book Te Oka: Pakeha Kaumatua about the life of Jock McEwen (1915 – 2010) whose service and contribution to Māori and Pacific cultures and language was revered. Jock carved the Pou inside the Meeting House at Orongomai Marae, and composed music with kapahaka group Ma Wai Hakona. He was Resident Commissioner to Niue in 1953 and wrote the Pacific Island first language Dictionary. He was good colleague and friend of the late Sir Apirana Ngata.
In a four-part series Te Ahi Kaa analysed four whakatauki (proverbial saying), the first analysed ‘Kāore te Kumara e kōrero mo tōna reka’ the kumara does not brag about it’s sweetness, Dr Wayne Ngata provides an insight into what this means and how it applies to different situations.
He Maimai Aroha.
Te Ahi Kaa acknowledges Māori leaders who died this year. Me mihi ka tika ki ou rātou whanau e noho pouri ana.
"Ka Hinga atu he tētēkura, Ka hara mai he tētēkura"
When one fern frond dies, one is born to takes its place.