As Te Ahi Kaa winds down we feature a few highlights from the stories covered this year.
Dr Mary McEwen released the biography of Jock McEwen this year at Orongomai Marae.
Hokimoana Hekerangi (left) and Liz Hunkin (right) were honoured at this years Te Waka Toi awards.
Mana Vaultier inspired a few young Māori students at the launch of Puhoro Science Academy.
Before NASA some of Mana's jobs included Mcdonalds worker, petrol attendant and Bus Driver.
Te Maakarini Temara says te reo māori is the very fibre of Kapahaka.
Te Kapa o Taiwhakaea at this years regional compeitions in Mataatua.
Trevor Maxwell says the guitar playing and strumming styles are influenced by the music of the day.
Surrey born Mark Bradley is the Tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Nga Mokopuna, Seatoun Wellington.
Whati Te Wake, Jordon Harris, Shannon White and Stacey Kerapa.
Dr Wayne Ngata discussed his views about the whakatauki 'Kāore te kumara e kōrero mo tōna reka'.
Stacey Kerapa shares her story in the book Takatāpui: A Place of Standing.
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 Ngoi 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.
Mita Mohi was an exponent of Kapahaka, composition and the māori language.
Charlie Petera, the last member of A Company of the 28th Māori Battalion.
Singer and Entertainer Bunny Walters.
Reverend Te Napi Waaka was an exponent of Māori Arts, Music and language.
Kapahaka tutor, composer Ngapo Wehi.
Author, Educator and Māori rights Advocate Dr Ranginui Walker.
Matiu Dickson was Senior Law Lecturer, kapahaka Judge and composer.
Māori Leader, Sir Graham Lattimer.
Te Oraiti Calcoutt, Māori language teacher.
Nolan Raihania, C Company of the 28th Māori Battalion.
Tutor, composer, Te Awanuiarangi Black.
