Sunday, 17 August 2008
17 Hereturikoka (August) 2008
"Kua Whati te tai, Ka Pao te torea."
One should not be sitting idly while opportunities are waiting.
Explanation by Hema Temara
Giving up weekends, getting up early, losing your voice from singing too much - it's part and parcel of Kapahaka wananga and if you have a goal in mind to get to the nationals, that would mean months of training.
It all came to fruition for Wellington Kapahaka groups last weekend who competed at the Regional competition, a preliminary to the National Matatini Festival, which will hosted by Tauranga Moana next year.
Chairperson of the Maori Cultural Society in Wellington, Hema Temara, particularly notes the way generations have come through the groups such as Te Ati Kimihia, where Mokopuna have taken their places in line next to their Kuia or Koroua.
The top two groups will go on to the National Competition.
Congratulations to the top three groups:
3rd Place Ngati Poneke (Group one)
2nd Place Nga Taonga mai Tawhiti
1st Place Tu te Maungaroa
Lifting the spirit, igniting the Mauri and carrying the flow of song just like the awa (river), is how Henare Walmsley describes the music of Tahu. This week Tahu give an insight into their music; it's not just about writing lyrics, picking up a guitar and playing it. Tahu offer a music mix that's as natural as mother earth, literally. The album is filled with the sounds of birds calling, water, Taonga puoro, kohatu, the putaatara. They even call on their aboriginal counterparts to play didgeridoo. The trio believe it's not just about the sound, it's about storytelling.
Bill Hamilton heads the Ahi Kaa division of the Human Rights Commission in Wellington. He is currently working alongside Philippine officials to implement the Declaration of the rights of indigenous peoples within their government. This week he discusses World Indigenous Day (9 August) with Justine Murray. They talk about how Iwi have reacted to government apologies and treaty settlements.
In Nga Taonga Korero, our archival segment, we feature a recording from 1997 when Libby Hakaraia talked to the late Albie Pryor about the Moana Pacific Maori sports awards. The Awards/Scholarships were launched in 1994 and urged more Maori to play at elite levels such as their pakeha counterparts; it was part of bigger picture to get more Maori at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Waiata featured on this weeks programme includes;
Maumahara Noa Ahau - Brannigan Kaa
He Ripo - Maia
Hango te Kiwi - Tahu
Improv 1 - Tahu