Sunday, 8 November 2009
8 Whiringa-a-rangi (November) 2009
"Toitu te marae a Tane, Toitu te marae a tangaroa, Toitu te iwi"
If the realms of Tane and Tangaroa are sustained, then so too will iwi.
This week's whakatauki was explained by Ropata Taylor (Te Ati Awa).
A career in law and serving on the bench was not what Wilson Isaac of Ngati Kahungunu, Tūhoe and Ngāti Pōrou had in mind when he entered Otago University in the early 1970s. Yet nearly 40 years later he finds himself presiding over the Waitangi Tribunal as its Chair and as the Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court. In the concluding part of the interview (Part 1 was broadcast last week) Isaac continues the discussion with Maraea Rakuraku about the dual roles, being a role model and the respite hunting in the bush provides for him.
Te Roopu Tahiwi o Te Whanganui-a-tara is a Wellington-based Kaumatua Kapahaka group whose speciality is singing the songs of yesteryear. The group is part of a national collective of kaumatua kapahaka (Taikura) divided along iwi lines, who commemorate their respective iwi composers by performing their songs. For Te Roopu Tahiwi o Te Whanganui-a-tara it is Kingi Tahiwi (1883 - 1948) of the Tahiwi's and Ngāti Pōneke fame whose waiata and style they emulate. Justine Murray attended a fundraising ball hosted by the group meeting Lillian Hemmon, Julie Dwyer and Ngati Poneke matriarch Vera Morgan amongst the backdrop of the saxophone sweetness of the All Stars Band.
Today we take it for granted being able to send emails from mobile phones and text to our hearts content and yet 10 years ago the 3G radio spectrum that enables that technology didn't exist. It was the combination of a revolutionary and - what's become apparent - forward-thinking Waitangi Tribunal Claim, timely business decisions and partnerships that has catapulted Māori influence in the technology realm into a whole new league. When 2 Degrees mobile launched this year it was to great fanfare with a distinctive ad campaign fronted by funny man Rhys Darby. Yet how many Māori know they have specific financial interests in mobile company that is safe guarded by a handful of people that includes Pākeha Brian Leighs, safe guarding what is effectively a Māori asset or what is referred to as the new "real estate". He explains more to Maraea Rakuraku. (The internet version of this interview features Tex Edwards and Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi)
Te roopu tahiwi perform action song 'Pa Mai'.
Chairman of te roopu tahiwi Mike Dwyer and Vera Morgan.
Member Julie Dwyer and Vera Morgan.