Sunday, 2 June 2013

Ka pono Ka rere au

I believe I can fly.

This week’s whakatāuki explained by Caii-Michelle Gordon nō Ngāti Pōrou, Rongowhakaata

Ian Taylor has been busy for the most part of his life, filling his kete with experiences and skills that has enriched his life. He’s played in bands, been in the army, completed a law degree and hosted children television shows Playschool and Spot On and founded a highly successful company - Taylormade. Recently Taylor, who is Ngāti Pahauwera and grew up in Raupunga, was awarded Māori Business Leader of the year. He shares the secret to his success with Maraea Rakuraku.

It could be said that Caii-Michelle Gordon (formerly Kaye Gordon) was in the right place at the right time when she was ‘discovered’. It was the late 1970s and Tūhoe entertainer Prince Tui Teka was in Tokomaru Bay,  looking for a singer to join him on the show band circuit in Australia. It was at a kapahaka practise, Caii’s aunty and kapahaka tutor Ngoi Pēwhairangi told Prince Tui Teka to ‘take that one’. Three days later, Caii-Michelle left the East Coast bound for Oz and stayed there for 30 years. In 2011, she returned home. Justine Murray catches up with Caii-Michelle at her home.

Left: Caii-Michelle Gordon at the height of her entertainment career in Australia. Right: relaxing at home.

Waiata featured: ‘For the life of me’, ‘Il Silenzio‘  and ‘Raggedy Ann’ performed by Prince TuiTeka from the album Prince Tui Teka: The Entertainer (1992), ‘Mum performed by Caii-Michelle Gordon from the EP With Love.