Navigation for Te Ahi Kaa

Sunday, 22 December 2013

  • Upokongaro Primary School

    6:46 PM.Located ten kilometres outside of Whanganui, the film class won the teamwork award at this years film contest, Outlook for Someday. Taiaha Simon wrote the script for Hunter Meets Pollution Queen, at… Read more Audio

  • Karl Leonard - Tour Guide

    6:19 PM.Karl is what he calls one of the few 'old school' tour guides working at Te Puia: NZMACI. He was taught guiding by Dorothy (Bubbles) Mihinui (1919 - 2006) Karl takes Justine on a tour of Te Puia and… Read more Audio

  • Tim Cossar

    6:15 PM.As the Chief Executive Officer of Te Puia - The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Tim Cossar has held the position for only 18 months, yet in that time he has a few goals in mind. Firstly… Read more Audio

  • Karl Johnstone

    6:08 PM.As the Director of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the educational arm of the business Karl is charged with the responsibility of overseeing the operations of Te Rito (weaving school) and Te… Read more Audio

  • Whakatāuki mo 22 December 2013

    6:06 PM.He whare i whakaarahia i roto i te pa tuwatawata o nga tumanako. An establishment or a house that inspires. Explained by Karl Leonard no Ngati Rangiwewehi. Audio

He whare i whakaarahia i roto i te pa tuwatawata o nga tumanako

An establishment or a house that inspires.

This week’s whakatāuki is explained by Karl Leonard nō Ngāti Rangiwewehi

It’s the final Te Ahi Kaa show for 2013, he mihi tēnei ki a koutou i tautokohia i te kaupapa nei. Meri Kirihimete me nga mihi o te tau hou.

This year signifies 50 years since the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute Act 1963 was enacted, to preserve protect and foster the practise of culture and traditional māori arts. Justine Murray talks with the Director Karl Johnstone and Chief Executive Officer, Tim Cossar about its cultural and commercial outcomes.

Aside from the obvious hustle and bustle of tourists that visit Te Puia-The New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute in Rotorua, there were a range of activities in Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley when Justine Murray visited in late November. Her tour guide, Karl Leonard explained the thermal activity of the geysers Kēreru and Pōhutu, and how the mud pool Nga Mokai a Koko got its name.

whaka pools and Karl L
Karl Leonard became the instiutes first offical male guide in 1983. Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley.

whaka concert and pou
Te Hekenga a Rangi skyward tomokanga (entranceway) features 12 pou (carved posts). Rotowhio Marae hosts daily performances.

There may be a school roll of just 51, but it appears the kids at Upokongaro Primary School is bursting with talent. The combined efforts of the predominantly māori school, located ten kilometres outside of Whanganui, scored a win at this year’s film competition, Outlook for Someday. Taiaha Simon wrote the script for Hunter Meets Pollution Queen and has Hollywood in his sights. He talks about the process of creating the short film alongside his Year 8 classmates.

upoko final x
Year 8 film class wtih principal Warren Brown, (right) Taiaha Simon and below a
few scenes from their short film Hunter Meets Pollution Queen.

upoko hunter meets PQ

Waiata featured: ‘Haere mai’ performed by Daphne Walker from the album Haere Mai: Welcome to New Zealand (2001), ‘Feliz Navidad’ performed by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra from the album So this is Christmas (2010).