The main host of Whakamāori season three sits in a brown-coloured studio in front of a microphone. Behind him, on the wall, is a sign with text reading: "WHAKAMĀORI."

An image of the wrods Whakamaori with a microphone on a stand next on the left of the words

44m

Bringing Google Translate to life! Join the Whakamāori crew to learn, wānanga, and have fun in te reo Māori.

Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho

3 episodes

Wedding Vows

From Shakespeare to sitcoms, this week the Whakamāori crew take on the ultimate declaration of love: wedding vows. Join our trio of translators—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Manaia Ward—as they breathe new life into the heartfelt promises of Monica & Chandler (Friends), the tragic poetry of Romeo and Juliet, and the awkward brilliance of Amy & Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory). What happens when you blend the language of love with the beauty of te reo Māori? Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a language nerd, or just here for the Shakespearean drama, this one's for you.
Season 3/Episode 3
44m

Barbie

In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, Piripi Gordon, & Atakura Hunia— translate and unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women. It's a speech that hits hard and hits home about the pressure to be everything but never too much. The panel explores how this modern feminist kōrero translates into te reo Māori—not just the words but the emotion, the frustration, and the everyday truths behind it. It's an episode for anyone who's ever felt like they're constantly walking a line—and wants the reo to talk about it.
Season 3/Episode 2
38m

Let's Talk About Ai - Dr. Simon Snook

Nau mai, hoki mai, ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakāmāori! We're kicking things off with an episode that dives into the world of sexual and reproductive health, as the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—translate and unpack an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About Ai. It's a wide-ranging kōrero that touches on everything from contraception and vasectomies to sexual well-being and the role of holistic care—but the real focus for this episode is the reo. If you've ever wanted to grow your own knowledge of kupu Māori related to the body, sex, and reproductive health, this is the perfect place to start. The panel breaks down key terms, clarifies meanings, and has open, respectful discussions about how we talk about these things in te reo Māori—with accuracy, comfort, and care.
Season 3/Episode 1
38m

Trailers & bonus video

Season 3 Trailer

This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all spaces—the serious, the silly, the everyday, and the unexpected. From pop culture to politics, waiata to whakataukī, Whakamāori shows that the language is everywhere.
Season 3/
1m

Awards

2024 NZ Radio & Podcast Awards

Best Reo Māori Podcast

2022 NZ Podcast Awards

Best Education - Gold

2022 NZ Podcast Awards

Best Māori or Pasifika - Gold

Produced by

Arataua Media

Season 2 - Made with the support of

Partner Logo for Te Mangai Paho for use on dark background
https://www.tmp.govt.nz

More like this

  • Back to Timor

    Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?
    43m
  • Documentary

    After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.
    1984/Film
    1h 4m
  • Documentary

    I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.
    1h 10m
  • Fly Like a Moa

    Kauri isn't allowed to go rock-climbing with Lani. Kauri meets a moa and learns that everyone has different strengths.
    What Will I Be Today?/Season 1/Episode 1
    5m
  • The Rise and Fall

    Isabella Moore’s career soared with body positivity, but fashion’s return to thinness now threatens everything she’s fought for as a Samoan-Kiwi curve model.
    10m
  • Documentary

    Joy, Full & Fearless follows the trauma and triumph of Joy Cowley's astonishing life as New Zealand's prolific, widely published and celebrated author of children's fiction. Available in NZ, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
    56m
  • NZ's United Nations History

    As Winston Peters heads to the UN, Context looks back at how NZ has shaped the world stage — from Peter Fraser at its founding to peacekeepers in Korea and Timor, and a fiery clash with Israel.
    Context (New)/Season 1/Episode 5
    45m
  • Melissa Chan-Green | Til Death

    Content warning: discusses death and loss, and sexual assault. After his bride’s death just hours after their wedding, a devastated groom struggles to process his grief. Five years later, he turns to Melissa Chan-Green to tell his heart-wrenching story for the first time.
    re_covering/Season 5/Episode 8
    57m
  • Flight Night

    Rumour has it that every Halloween, the tiny humans transform into hideous monsters—including something so unspeakably awful, even grown-ups have nightmares about it.
    Bird's Eye View (New Season)/Season 2/Episode 1
    5m
  • A Dress and a Cardigan for Mele

    In Tūranganui-a-Kiwa, Tongan grandmother Liliani and her daughter Kesaia find that even though they talk every day on the phone (and have for 17 years), they have more in common than they thought.
    3m
  • Metiria Turei

    Did Metiria Turei mean to turn the 2017 election on its head? Earlier that year, the former Green Party co-leader made an admission that would upend their entire campaign.
    Matangireia/Season 1/Episode 1
    45m
  • Kareem

    Originally from Egypt, Kareem shows us his absolute love of tennis as a way to connect with the community.
    This Is Us/Episode 1
    2m
  • Tangata Whenua

    The first episode tackles the settlement of Aotearoa. From Polynesian travelers, right through to British and European settlers.
    The Citizen's Handbook/Season 1/Episode 1
    11m
  • Whitiki

    A video documentary that tells the stories of three Māori Pioneers who went to battle in WWI, through the eyes of their descendants.
    Whitiki/Film
    52m
  • Edward Osei-Nketia

    At 19, Eddie Osei-Nketia is the fastest person in Australasia, and is looking to break the New Zealand 100m record.
    The Outliers/Episode 1
    7m
  • Josh Davies

    Josh has 15% vision in his good eye. City life with four senses sounds easy!
    Inside Outside/Episode 1
    7m
  • The Announcement

    Blindspott’s Marcus Powell gathers Crescendo Trust’s most promising emerging artists and offers them the biggest opportunity of their lives. Will they overcome their demons to pull it off?
    The Collective/Episode 1
    16m
  • Episode 1

    We investigate the occupation at Ihumātao from the perspective of the leaders of the campaign to #ProtectIhumātao.
    Ake Ake Ake/Episode 1
    55m
  • Misty Frequency

    Drag icon Misty Frequency kaupapa is to celebrate autistic and Takatāpui excellence. They are looking to storm the stage at the Drag Wars competition with a cash prize up for grabs.
    8m
  • Shareef

    Drugs, lies and regret became a reality for Shareef after an encounter with some local gang affiliates, but growing up in the North has shaped this proud takatāpui into who he is today.
    The Barber Shop/Episode 1
    6m
  • Kōtiro

    Jess sits down with Māori-Jewish talent Ana Chaya Scotney to discuss her thrilling debut album, dawn ocean swimming, and how she creates her singular “high lonesome sound."
    Amplified/Episode 1
    15m
  • Episode 1

    Clothing expression is important to Wairua. Mia connects with her culture by spending time away. Lavi talks about cultural expectations. Theia feels welcomed by her own and judged by others.
    Duality/Episode 1
    21m
  • Janay Harding

    Janay Harding. "Hollowpoint." Bellator MMA. Gold Coast. Featherweight. 6-7-0. Ranked as the #7 female featherweight in the world. Janay finds her purpose through the sport of MMA.
    The Art of War/Episode 1
    11m
  • Episode 1

    Piripi takes us on a tour of his kingdom, introducing his girlfriend Luxy and showcasing his many talents, which include cleaning the whare and doing the lawns... NOT!
    9m
  • An extended interview with Minister of Finance Nicola Willis

    Minister of Finance Nicola Willis discusses the significant challenges facing Aotearoa's economy. The latest figures show GDP has contracted more sharply than forecast, while investor confidence has fallen to lows not seen since COVID. With unemployment climbing and the cost of living putting pressure on whānau across the motu, what is her plan to kick-start the economy, and what role might iwi play in the recovery?
    MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes/Season 3/Episode 19
    29m
  • Te Hekenga

    As the Native Land Court reshapes Aotearoa, Hector’s world unravels. Bound by whakapapa, he fights to protect his son’s future—while Māori sovereignty slips through Crown hands.
    Stolen Lands/Season 2/Episode 5
    21m
  • Bondi Babes

    Soph's first flight to Sydney leads her to Bondi Beach post-accident, where sand and wheelchairs clash. With the help of lifeguards, she discovers how accessible the beach can be!
    This Is Wheel Life/Season 2/Episode 7
    14m
  • Mohi

    Mohi Allen weaves smokey jazz, pop and te reo Māori together to create a unique and smooth sound, reminding us of decades past.
    Imposter/Episode 1
    9m
  • The Driving Lesson

    When Trish, a spirited mother, decides to give her son Mana a driving lesson, what was intended to be a simple rite of passage quickly escalates into a chaotic encounter.
    5m
  • Jason

    Summer at Penguin Place can be hectic, as Jason juggles hoiho (yellow-eyed-penguin) rescues, daily feeding sessions, tour groups, and bird releases - all in a day’s work!
    13m
  • Tyrell

    Tyrell Taylor found a like-minded community of BMX riders, where rangatahi are given a chance to expand their skill set, be mentored, and be seen as equals. He reminds us not to forget what makes you happy.
    No Limits/Episode 1
    11m
  • IllumiNGĀTI

    Sibling vocalists Raiha, Hōrihi, & Hāne lead IllumiNgāti, a reggae band from Kawakawa covering Dave Para’s "You’re Magic" & debuting their bilingual single, "Illusion."
    6m
  • Kāinga

    Kāinga navigates the thorny terrain of home in Aotearoa New Zealand from the perspectives of 8 Pan-Asian women.
    Kāinga/Film
    1h 27m
  • Serenade

    Mac helps a Palagi boy win over an island girl with an original song.
    I Got You/Season 1/Episode 1
    4mvertical
  • Meet and Greet

    It's the highly anticipated first day of the netball season, aka Jim's send-off. Will Kate be able to assemble her team of misfits in time?
    9m
  • Part 1 (2024)

    Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.
    1h 0m
  • Kenneth Roth

    Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane?
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 3/Episode 13
    32m
  • Māhuhu o te Rangi

    We’ll look back on Māhuhu o te Rangi—Aotearoa’s largest waka taua—its voyages on the Waitematā, and its place within the iwi.
    Te Kawau ki Tai/Episode 1
    14m
  • Yeah Pare

    Lost at the night markets, Janjan tries to find his parents. While searching, he befriends Kiuga, who takes him on a fantastical journey to find his loved ones.
    Day One Shorts/Episode 1
    10m
  • Kia Tupato (Be Careful)

    With tensions rising between the new government and tangata whenua, Wayne and his traffic-management crew brace for the biggest Waitangi Day celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand's history.
    Hi-Vis/Episode 1
    6m
  • Not Her Destiny: Former church member asks, "Did I not deserve to be protected?"

    For years, Destiny Church shaped every part of Lynia Morseu-Tol's life: her faith, her family, and her identity. As a takatāpui wahine Māori, its teachings left her feeling ashamed, conflicted, and alone—all while she endured years of abuse at home. 16 years after leaving the church, Lynia speaks out about its leaders, whom she believes failed to protect her, and condemns Ngāti Uenuku - Rainbow Community. This is Lynia's story of reckoning with faith, identity, and whānau.
    MATA Reports (New Report)/Season 2/Episode 2
    28m
  • Out There

    Zoologist-turned-filmmaker Alexis Smith joins a mysterious network in New Zealand dedicated to communicating with extraterrestrials.
    Loading Docs/Season 10/Episode 1
    13m
  • Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth

    It was the social movement that changed the country's political landscape. 20 years on, Tāmati Rimene-Sproat retraces the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed march, all the way back to the steps of Parliament.
    59m
  • The Political "Cost" - Tim Costley

    In the final episode of Ngā Porokate, we head back to the ahi and sit down with National MP for Kāpiti, Tim Costley. Our kōrero dives into his whakaaro on the coalition government, the cost of living, co-governance, and whether he'll be standing again in the 2026 election. A straight-up, no-frills conversation on politics, perspectives, and the future direction of our communities.
    Hori on a Hīkoi/Episode 10
    25m
  • James McKenzie

    The outlaw who committed the most Kiwi of crimes: sheep-stealing. James McKenzie rustled hundreds of sheep and became such a legend that a large part of the South Island still bears his name.
    9m
  • Lau Yuet Seen

    It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong.
    22m
  • Overview

    We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi—Aotearoa's founding document—and how it's shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickards sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context.
    Treaty Talks/Episode 1
    46m
  • Inspiration to Write

    Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.
    7m
  • Mamas Return to Play

    Juggling new motherhood in often-isolated countries and continuing a sports career can have big pressures on Pasifika women.
    9m
  • Main Feature

    From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.
    1h 28m