MATA with Mihingarangi Forbes

Matariki is a time to remember loved ones who have passed. Reo and tikanga exponents Niwa Milroy and Heeni Te Mate Koiwi know that journey of grief intimately. Heeni shares the loss of her daughter Taiiringa last year, while Niwa reflects on farewelling both of her parents Wharehuia and Marion. Together with Stacey Morrison, they explore how tikanga and mātauranga Māori can help us navigate grief,...

A day after announcing their flagship tax policy, Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson speaks to Mihingarangi about tackling “corporate greed,” how banning bottom trawling will impact the bottom line for iwi, the Greens' strategy in the Māori seats, and the party’s coalition bottom lines -- would they consider working with NZ First to change the government? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for mor...

Kiringāua Cassidy belongs to a generation of Ngāi Tahu rangatahi raised in te reo Māori. As a tangata hauā who uses a wheelchair, he has also navigated Māori spaces that haven't always been designed with accessibility in mind. Kiringāua joins Stacey Morrison to discuss reo, leadership and belonging, and what it will take to ensure physical barriers never become barriers to language, identity and b...

State abuse survivor and Māori advocate for Intersex Aotearoa, Tu Chapman discusses New Zealand First’s bill to legally define “woman” and “man” and the consequences critics warn it could have for intersex, transgender and non-binary communities. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Hosted by Stacey Morrison, this special episode takes a hard look at whether the structure of our reo organisations is fit for purpose. Te Mātāwai’s Penetaui Kleskovich and researcher Dr Awanui Te Huia share their thoughts on what’s working, what’s not, and whether the current system is strong enough for the future. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Everlee Wihongi's mother Betty discusses her daughter's detention in the US and issues a request for support from the New Zealand government. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

National's James Meager sits down for a wide-ranging interview, discussing the coalition government's controversial positions on te reo Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, reflecting on his Ngāi Tahu identity & his mahi as Minister for Te Wai Pounamu alongside his Hunting and Fishing & Youth portfolios. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The war in Tehran may feel a world away, but its impacts are already hitting home. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Deb Ngarewa-Packer says whānau here are feeling the squeeze. So what does this mean for Māori, how much worse could it get, and is the government moving fast enough? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Following a High Court win, Te Pāti Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated after a very personal and public feud that's gripped the motu. But how will her "repatriation" work in practice? And will she stay? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Willie Jackson speaks to Mihingarangi about Labour's plan to reclaim the Māori seats, what it has learnt from its last term in government, and whether it plans to work with or against Te Pāti Māori and the Greens. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Labour leader Chris Hipkins joins MATA to share his views on the political landscape, including whom he would and would not work with, and what Labour could have done better in government. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ahead of Waitangi Day, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka joins Mihingarangi Forbes for a wide-ranging interview, discussing the Treaty Principles Bill, the Ngāpuhi settlement, emergency housing, whether he has ambitions to become Attorney-General, and Peeni Henare’s shock resignation. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MATA Reports examines the crisis within Te Pāti Māori as an exclusive poll of Māori voters reveals the impact on its support. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

MATA Reports investigates how two rundown police houses in the Horowhenua town of Shannon slipped through the cracks of government process when they were supposed to be protected within a treaty land-banking process. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Ousted Te Tai Tonga MP Tākuta Ferris speaks candidly to Mihingarangi Forbes about the mounting internal tensions within Te Pāti Māori that led to the current fall out. John Tamihere was approached to respond to the allegations made in this episode. He declined to comment on what he described as "any matters based on hearsay, innuendo, accusation, or insinuation." Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz fo...

In an extended interview, co-leaders Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Rawiri Waititi discuss their plan to change the government, their priority policies, and how they will steady their waka after one of the most turbulent periods in the party’s history. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

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 Co...

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 pl...

RNZ's latest Reid Research poll shows Te Pāti Māori's hold on the Māori seats could decide who forms the next government. We speak to Media Specialist Carmen Parahi and political commentator Shane Te Pou to discuss Te Pāti Māori's big win in Tāmaki, their controversial media ban, and an unapologetic MP's racially charged posts. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The fight for te reo Māori has entered a new phase. From school books and government agencies to eacher training and even passports, the place of te reo is under intense scrutiny. In this episode of Mata, Te Taura Whiri Māori Language Commission chair Professor Rawinia Higgins joins Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira to discuss the future of Aotearoa's first language. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more...

As voters head to the poll for the Tāmaki Makaurau byelection, Labour’s Peeni Henare and Te Pāti Māori’s Oriini Kaipara join Mihingārangi to discuss the issues facing whānau in the biggest Polynesian city in the world. From housing to health to te reo Māori, he wānanga kei te haere. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick joins Mihingarangi for an unflinching conversation about the surge in homelessness and energy poverty, the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the electoral law changes that could reshape democracy in Aotearoa. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Former Black Fern Cheryl Waaka represented Aotearoa New Zealand with pride. Now she's fighting stage 4 bowel cancer, which she believes could have been caught earlier. As the government walks back a targeted Māori screening programme, she's speaking out about the cost of delay, the price of treatment, and the lives still at risk. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Labour spokesperson for Children and Education, Willow-Jean Prime explains why she believes the education system and Oranga Tamariki are failing Māori, her opposition to Act’s bootcamps, and why Shane Jones’ Ngāpuhi settlement plan is a non-starter. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mayoral candidate Kerrin Leoni lays out her vision for Tāmaki Makaurau, the challenges facing the Super City, and makes her case to voters in a race that could reshape Auckland's future. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details