Whakamāori

To close the season on the campus of Waikato University's Tauranga campus, the team translate Stan Walker's "I Am," a powerful waiata about identity, pride, and knowing your worth. The final episode of Whakamāori was recorded live at Waikato University's Tauranga campus during the Te Tohu Paetahi wānanga, surrounded by tauira on their own haerenga with re reo Māori. To close the season, the t...

The team translate some of the world's most recognisable proverbs: phrases passed down through generations, across cultures and continents. In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—translate some of the world's most recognisable proverbs: phrases passed down through generations, across cultures and continents. From "what goes around comes...

The team take on one of the most iconic protest songs of all time: Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." In this episode of Whakamāori, the team take on one of the most iconic protest songs of all time: Bob Marley's "Redemption Song." A waiata of resistance, remembrance, and hope, its lyrics speak to the pain of colonisation and the fight for freedom—messages that deeply resonate here in...

The team turn their attention to a soulful Samoan farewell: "Mo'omo'oga sa molia i talosaga," featured in the 2024 drama Tinā. In this special episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, Manaia Ward, & Eseta Penaia—turn their attention to a soulful Samoan farewell: "Mo'omo'oga sa molia i talosaga," a song of deep longing, spiritual connection, and eterna...

The team translate and unpack Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke's powerful response in Parliament after being removed from the House. In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Manaia Ward—translate and unpack Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke's powerful response in Parliament after being removed from the House. She speaks with clarity and intent, reflecting on her silence,...

The team take on one of the most recognisable intros in film history: the opening crawl from Star Wars. In this episode of Whakamāori, the team take on one of the most recognisable intros in film history: the opening crawl from Star Wars. Golden text scrolling through space, dramatic music swelling, and a galaxy in chaos—but how do you translate all that into te reo Māori. The panel—Chey Milne, Tā...

The team translate a powerful spoken-word piece by Ngā Hinepūkōrero—a raw, poetic reflection on the history of te reo Māori and the silence forced upon generations of our people. In this episode of Whakamāori, the team translate a powerful spoken-word piece by Ngā Hinepūkōrero—a raw, poetic reflection on the history of te reo Māori and the silence forced upon generations of our people. From the sc...

The team translate a recipe that's close to many Māori kitchens: how to grow a rēwena bug, bake the bread, and top if off with a simple, hearty beef stew. In this deliciously down-to-earth episode of Whakamāori, the team roll up their sleeves and translate a recipe that's close to many Māori kitchens: how to grow a rēwena bug, bake the bread, and top if off with a simple, hearty beef stew. Th...

In this episode of Whakamāori, the team take on the legendary voice of nature, Sir David Attenborough, and translate some of his most iconic narrations into te reo Māori. In this episode of Whakamāori , the team take on the legendary voice of nature, Sir David Attenborough, and translate some of his most iconic narrations into te reo Māori. From sweeping savannahs to deep-sea wonders, his words ha...

From Shakespeare to sitcoms, this week the Whakamāori crew take on the ultimate declaration of love: 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), th...

The team translate & unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women. 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...

We dive into the world of sexual & reproductive health, translating & unpacking an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About AI. Nau mai, hoki mai, ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori! 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—trans...

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. Nau mai hoki mai ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori—where the world meets te reo Māori. This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all...

In this final episode, the panel are joined by a live audience to translate some of their favourite movie lines. Watch the video version of the episode here. If a movie is memorable chances are there is good dialogue that will be quoted for some time. Like The Terminators 'I'll be back', or Jerry Maguire's 'You had me at hello' or the classic Dirty Dancing line '...

What's the secret sauce when it comes to translating a recipe? The panel discover Big Mac Tacos. Yum! Watch the video version of the episode here. When a home-made recipe goes viral on social media it makes sense for our panel to figure out what the 'secret sauce' is when it comes to translating recipes. The panel takes up the mouth watering challenge to translate the Big Mac Taco recipe...

Back when TV opening themes just hit differently - our panel go back to the '90s and translate the theme song of one of our favourite soaps. Watch the video version of the episode here. Is it you or is it me? The iconic opening line from the Shortland Street theme, a staple series on television today. Our hosts are experienced in the world of composing songs, translating popular movies like Sponge...

In a public address to the government of Samoa Helen Clark apologised to the people for past injustices. Watch the video version of the episode here . In 2002, New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark delivered a historic apology during Samoa's 40th anniversary of independence festivities. The speech recognised the past injustices of the Samoan people including the spread of the influenz...

A memorable phrase, a call to action or a motto. Slogans are everywhere, our panel pick some of their favourites. Watch the video version of the episode here. He iti te kupu, he nui te whakaaro. Although there are few words the meaning is much bigger. The same can be attributed to slogans, many of which are quick snappy words that hook in it's customer. From fast food chains to shoes, propert...

Inspired by the late Moana Jackson the panel translate his article as featured in the book 'Imagining Decolonisation'. Watch the video version of the episode here. The late Moana Jackson (1945 - 2022) was a visionary, a Māori rights activist and a lawyer. The book Imagining Decolonisation published by Bridget Williams Books is a collection of essays that explore this subject in Aotearoa. In Chapte...

An iconic courtroom scene between two unforgettable characters is translated by the panel complete with American accents. Watch the video version of the episode here. In this episode, the panel dust off their acting chops to recreate a dialogue scene between characters Colonel Nathan Jessop played by Jack Nicholson and Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee played by Tom Cruise in the movie A Few Good Men. The...

It's arguably the most popular book in the world, the panel look to the paipera tapu this week and translate the ten commandments. Watch the video version of the episode here. This Māori language week the nation celebrates their 'Māori Moment' where people commit to carrying out tasks in support of te reo Māori. In this episode our panel are joined with a live audience to translate the t...

Heartfelt words from a soldier to his mother separated by ten thousand miles, the panel translate a letter written by Ben Rata in 1942. Watch the video version of the episode here. There's nothing like being transported to a place in time through movies, literature or in this episode a simple letter from a son to his mother. In an online article 'Ben Rata Writes Home' this week the...

Inspired by the 'Man in the Arena' written in 1910 the panel translate this speech by the 26th US President Theodore Roosevelt. Watch the video version of the episode here. 'If he fails, at least fails while daring greatly... The sentence is featured in the speech 'Man in the Arena' written by Theodore Rosevelt in 1910 has undoubtedly inspired people. This week Leon Blake joins the...

Inspired by Dr Rangi Mataamua's easy-to-follow Matariki handbook, the panel look at the relation of the stars to the preparation of a hautapu. Watch the video version of the episode here. Step into the celestial realm of "Matariki", where the Whakamāori team come together to translate parts of Dr Rangi Mātāmua's 'Matariki Handbook' into te reo Māori. If you are new to the...

What is your love language? The panellists Kimo, Kristin and Anaha get all lovey dovey in this first episode. Watch the video version of the episode here. Welcome to the first episode of Whakamāori season 2, where the presenters Kimo Houltham, Kristin Ross and Anaha Hiini unlock the secrets of love. Delve into the captivating world of the 5 love languages written by Gary Chapman, where each host g...