Navigation for Te Ahi Kaa

Sunday, 27 January 2008

27 January 2008

Kohi-taatea 27

"Kua hinga te totara o te wao nui a Tane"

A Totara in the great forest of Tane has fallen.

Te Ahi Kaa begins the New Year on a sombre note, we remember Nga Puhi poet Hone Tuwhare(1922 - 2008).
Born in 1922 near Kaikohe, Tuwhare grew up with his father in Auckland where he excelled in English at school. He thanks his father for encouraging his love and interest in the spoken and written word. However it wasn't until his 40's that he released his first book of poetry "No Ordinary Sun", to critical acclaim. A dozen more collections followed, with one anthology "Shapeshifter" claiming the 1999 Montana Book Award for Poetry. Te Ahi Kaa has an interview Hone Tuwhare did in 2001 with former Radio New Zealand Broadcaster, John Campbell, about his art, his love of life, and Kai.

"Wahine Whanau Whenua" is an organisation that upholds Maori land and business development, acknowledges the valued role of Maori women, and celebrates their contributions to sustainable farming and agriculture. The latest venture for the roopu is researching the possible development of Puha. The project also aims to "study puha; how to grow it, where to grow it, the different names given to different varieties by Maori, how it is eaten in its more popular forms, its suitability to large scale growing, its potential as an 'organically grown' herbage and its health properties and potential benefits". Tev Ahi Kaa takes a tour of the organisation facilities to find out more about the research.

Makereti(1873-1930), better known as Maggie Papakura or Guide Maggie, was one of New Zealand's first international media celebrities. Although best known as a guide at the Whakarewarewa village in Rotorua, this Te Arawa wahine led a remarkable life. Author and former Radio New Zealand broadcaster, Paul Diamond(Ngati Haua, Te Rarawa and Ngapuhi) has captured her life in "Makareti: taking Maori to the world". He guides Te Ahi Kaa around an exhibition, that compliments the release of the book.