Sunday, 2 March 2014

Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere te kārohirohi a,Ko tou hoa haere, ko te rangimarie.

May the calm be widespread, may the ocean glisten like greenstone may the shimmer of light ever dance across your pathway, may peace be your travelling companion.

This week’s whakatāuki is explained by Shane Te Ruki no Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Porou.

In Te Ahi Kaa this week, Justine Murray is in Flaxmere, Hastings and checks out the annual family festival. Hastings District Councillor, Henare o Keefe explains a few more details about the positive things happening in the community, and Justine catches up with 95 year old Wairukuruku Maere.

Hastings District Councilllor Henare o Keefe enjoying the fun and sun at the Flaxmere family festival.

For over twenty years actress Nancy Brunning has worked in television, movies and theatre, it’s a job she considers herself lucky to be a part of. In her latest work, Nancy plays a 92 year old kuia in the play Paniora written by Briar Grace-Smith and features in this year’s New Zealand International Arts festival. Justine Murray catches up with Nancy who explains how she prepared for the role.

Dr Rapata Wiri believes technology plays an integral part in reviving the māori language, so much so that he’s created a mobile app Te Pūmanawa. Dr Wiri says the app will target people who want to learn te reo māori in their own time, and possibly to avoid situations where they feel whakama (shy) to learn in front of others, he explains more about how the idea formed and the overwhelming response.

The decision to get taa moko done shouldn’t be taken lightly; in fact Shane Te Ruki encourages those who want work done, firstly to know the payment agreed upon, the design and story you want reflected in the work, and the safety standards of the artist.  In Te Ahi kaa this week, we feature part of his lecture Think before you Ink.

Waiata featured: ‘Inspiration’ performed by Francis Kora from the soundtrack album Music from The Pā Boys.