Sunday, 18 May 2008

18 Haratua (May) 2008

"Teeraa te Whetuu kapokapo ana mai ko Meremere anoo"
See the star twinkling there, it's the evening star....Venus
Explanation by Tanerau Tuuta (Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Kahungungu)

Paul Moon had always been intrigued by the actions of prophet Rua Kenana and in his friendship with Hohepa Kereopa discovered direct links (Kereopa's wife, Te Aue is a mokopuna of Rua Kenana). The influence of Kenana and the community of Maungapohatu loomed large in the everyday life of Kereopa which Moon explored in his final book Tohunga Journal:Hohepa Kereopa, Rua Kenana and Maungapohatu.

What do Jemaine Clement and Kiri Te Kanawa have in common apart from being Maori? Both have won Grammy Awards, Clement as part of the successful folk parody duo, Flight of the Conchords alongside Bret McKenzie. He talks with Tanerau Tuuta about fame in the fishbowl world of American celebrity, the unearthing of long lost relatives and favourite school teachers.

1987 was a successful year for the reggae band Herbs. Cleaning up in two categoriesat the Music Awards,Sensitive to a Smile took out Album of the year while E Papa: Jah knows was Polynesian Album of the year. Band members, Charles Tumahai and Dilworth Karaka won the best songwriter category for Sensitive to a Smile and the Music video, won best music video. Additionally a musical collaboration with Dave Dobbyn on the Footrot Flats Movie,A Dogs Taleled tomore awards. With all that history in mind Tanerau Tuuta revisits one of his favourite interviews with Herbs member Tama Lundon, as recorded at the Wellington Folk Festival in 2006.