Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

14 Hui-tanguru (February) 2010

"Kei ōu ringaringa te ao "
The world is yours.
This week's whakatāuki was explained by Ngatapa Black nō Ngai Tūhoe.

When offered the leadership of the Kingitanga in the 1850's, Te Aitanga ā Hauiti - Ngāti Pōrou rangatira Te Kani a Takirau (c.1790 - 1856) turned it down stating . . .

"Ehara taku maungaHikurangi he maunga nekeneke, he maunga tū tonu"[1]

. . . meaning, he did not feel the need to leave his homeland when everything he wanted was there. This self-sufficient statement seems to be characteristic of his descendents, if the discovery at the local Tolaga school of an unknown-unmarked early 19th century graveyard is anything to go by. Maraea Rakuraku talks with husband and wife, Victor Walker and Nori Parata about about the day three years ago when they found the urupa and the historical legacy it has left to the Te Aitanga ā Hauiti community. They discuss pooling resources and adapting to the unusual situation of effectively becoming guardians to 56 koiwi (skeletons).

Ngāti Maniapoto-Raukawa, Tainui, Te Arawa weaver, Tina Wirihana is an expert kairāranga (flax weaver) and has travelled the country and the world sharing her knowledge at various conferences and workshops. It's a family skill - Tina was a recipient of Te Tohu Mahi Hou a Te Waka Toi (Te Waka Toi award for new work) in 2003; Tina's mother, Matekino Lawless is also a highly regarded weaver, and was acknowledged as such at Nga Tāonga Toi a Te Waka Toi (Recipient of Te Tohu a Tā Kingi Ihaka) in 2008. At this year's Indigenous Weaving International Symposium organised by Te Roopu Rāranga Whatu o Aotearoa (The National Weaving Association of New Zealand) Tina ran a flax paper making session. Justine Murray joined the participants to find out how it's done. Check out the pictures below.

The wharenui at Ōnuku marae, Karaweko, is the setting for a conversation between one of its kaumatua - Kai Tahu, George Tikao and Maraea Rakuraku.

Expert weaver Tina Wirihana teaches a flax paper making workshop at the Indigenous Weaving International Symposium in Rotorua.

Waiata featured:

Harakeke performed by Ariana Tikao from the album Iwi Disc 31 (2010)

E papa performed by Patea Maori Club (UK club mix) from the album Iwi Disc 31 (2010)

[1] My mountain Hikurangi does not move it remains firm and steadfast