Sunday, 7 October 2012

Ma Whero Ma Pango Ka oti ai te mahi

With red and black  the work is complete

This week’s whakatāuki is explained by Jamie McCaskill nō Ngāti Tamaterā

There’s no doubting the influence Merata Mita (1942-2010) had upon a generation of Indigenous film makers, Tammy Davis included.  The Ngāti Rangi, Te Ati Haunui a Papārangi actor, writer and director talks with Maraea Rakuraku about a decision he made in relation to his first short film, Ebony Society that, could have potentially had disastrous consequences.

Warning: This short film contains some offensive language.

It was in his grandfather’s kitchen at Waahi Pa, Ngaruawāhia as a young child that Leon Wharekura realised music was what he wanted to do. Scoring a gig in the 1980’s as a backing vocalist for Billy T James (1948 – 1991) helped him achieve that dream before heading to stints in Asia and Australia.  So, being nominated in four categories at this year’s Waiata Māori Music Awards in Hastings is a big deal as he describes to Justine Murray.

This year marks the 25th year since the Māori Language Act 1987 was established. In an archival recording from 1984, veteran Māori language advocate Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru discusses why the Māori Language should be made an official language.

 

Waiata featured: Pumau tonu, Ruaimoko and Orongomai performed by Maisey Rika from her album Whitiora (2012), You’re the Reason, Taku Moemoea, E te tau performed by Leon Wharekura from his album Chameleon (2012) Sh-boom performed by The Hi Marks from the album Showtime Spectacular and Magic Touch