A kirituhi designed by Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has had more than 92,000 uses. The Institutes digital graphics team designed the kurituhi with no connection to Iwi or anything else and allows the user to superimpose the design onto people’s faces. Some people do not agree with the app however, saying it commercialises and belittles Māori culture. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Heeni Hoterene (Ngāti Hine), Kia Kanuta (Ngāpuhi), Jasper Fox (Tāmaki Makaurau).
Te Waimana Kāku have won the rights to hold the next Tūhoe festival in 2020 after a meeting of Te Taunuku Kororangi at Mataatua Marae. 15,00 people attended this year’s Hui Aruhei o Tūhoe festival with 600 junior and senior kapa haka performers. Mere McLean reports: Martin Rakuraku (Te Waimana Kāku), Whitiaua Ropitini (Mātaatua ki Rotorua).
Catholics who are advocating for Aotearoa’s first saint say the Vatican need to change their requirements for Sainthood. The congregation of Jerusalem believe Suzanne Aubert performed miracles through her use of medicines to cure the sick, but the Vatican has ruled that medicines do not constitute a miracle. Aubert was a Catholic Nun who founded the Sisters of Compassion on the banks of the Whanganui river in the colonial period. Ngahuia Wade reports: Father Maurice Carmody (Catholic Priest), Rangi Whakateka Hough (Jerusalem Resident), Sister Josephine Gorman (Catholic Nun).
The road safety charity “Road Break” are asking for more to be done to prevent road accidents and fatal crashes. The Easter road toll stands at 4, twice as many as the previous year, and the group are calling on Government and Local Councils to do more to improve road safety. Leah Te Whata reports: Caroline Perry (Kaiwhakahaere, Break NZ).
A respected Hollywood Director with Oscar nominations is currently in Aotearoa and sat down with Native Affairs. She says her favourite show is “Game of Bros” on Māori Television which she saw while in New Zealand to shoot “A Wrinkle in Time”. Aroha Awarau reports: Ava DuVernay (Ringatohu).
A Wellington gardener says Easter is the perfect time to finish the Sumer harvest and prepare the soil for planting Winter crops. The Mokai Kainga Community Gardens aim to make families self-sufficient and to provide support for the homeless and impoverished. The gardens have also brought the longfin eel’s back to the Owhiro stream after pollution and bad weather made the waterway uninhabitable. Talisa Kupenga reports: Robert Te Wahre (Kaiwhakahaere, Mokai Kainga), Taane Iraia (Tūhoe), Lisa Rawiri (Ngāti Porou, Tauranga Moana), Justin Swift (Kaingaki Māra).
The Warriors are welcoming their new owner Richard Fale who is the leader of a consortium of buyers for the NRL team. It is understood Eric Watson has reached a verbal agreement to the sale of the team and the structure of the organisation and a change of ownership could come as early as next month. Tamati Tiananga reports: Adam Blair (Kaitākaro Warriors), Richard Fale (Kaipakihi, Mai i Hawaii).
The Crusaders have defeated the Lions 14-8 in their Super Rugby match in Johannesburg. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders Captain).
Jayson Woods has won the Strongman Title at the Easter show for the fourth consecutive time. He adds this title to the other wins in overseas competitions. Jayson Woods (Kaitākaro Strongman), Kyp Kotzikas (Kaitākaro Strongman).
More than 100,00 people attended the Royal Easter Show in Auckland where wool handlers are now part of the shearing display and competition. With the wool industry worth nearly $1 billion dollars to the economy, it is considered worthwhile showcasing the skills of these workers and the good work of the industry. Rukuwai Tipene-Allen reports: Duncan McNab (Te Roopū Ahuwheua o Tāmaki Makaurau), Joel Henare (Tino Kaiwawāhi Wūri it e Ao).
The Lunar Calendar – The moon is in the phase of Ōhua.