Indigenous 100 Podcast

Rawiri Wright took a leap of faith 30 years ago that led him, his wife, and their whānau into the world of kura kaupapa Māori, devoting themselves to the regeneration of everything Māori. 

As a man who has been at the centre of the Kura Kaupapa movement, he believes that Kura Kaupapa Māori Aho Matua is the way forward for Māori to revitalise themselves. Rawiri learned te reo Māori as young adults so that he could provide a Kura Kaupapa Māori Aho Matua education for his children. 

Over the decades, Rawiri has seen the results of the battles that he and those who fought for Kura Kaupapa and is immensely satisfied and humbled to see former students who are now contributing and giving back to the world. We got a chance to sit and talk with him about why he decided to raise his children immersed in te ao Māori and why he remains committed to Kura Kaupapa after 30 years. 

This is Indigenous 100. Rawiri Wright – Episode 40

Rena Owen is best known for her pivotal role as Beth Heke in Lee Tamahori’s iconic film ‘Once Were Warriors’ where her compelling performance earned her countless awards and nominations, locally and internationally. Since then, Rena has continued to excel in her career as an actress, producer & writer in film, television and theater, showcasing her versatility.

Beyond her individual accomplishments, Rena has advocated for Māori representation in the entertainment industry, using her platform to raise awareness of the challenges, and support rangatahi – a testament to her talent, resilience and her unwavering commitment to using her influence for positive impact.

But what were the foundations of Rena’s success? What was going on behind the scenes of the acting career? We got to chat with Rena about her humble beginnings in Moerewa, an almost-medical career, a conviction decades old that still hinders her work opportunities, and her dreams for the future.

This is her story. Indigenous 100 – Rena Owen

A POWERHOUSE WAHINE 💫

Rachel Taulelei is a globally recognised business leader, business owner, and sports franchise holder. With a background in law and finance, the beginning of her career started with humble beginnings as an office administrator. But her strong drive and love for people propelled her to lead her own path.

From an internationally recognised seafood company that focused on sustainability and Māori values, to food & beverage company Kono, to co-founder of business design and brand strategy firm Oho, to New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Los Angeles, Rachel has many feathers to her bow. But at the core of her diligence, is whānau.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Rachel and find out what really drives her, and the strong foundations that influenced her work ethic.

This is her story. Indigenous 100 – Rachel Taulelei

A GIFTED WARRIOR 

Wetini Mitai-Ngatai is a highly respected figure in the world of kapa haka, renowned for his exceptional skills as both an orator and performer. For many years, he has served as both the leader and tutor of the Te Matarae i Ōrehu Kapa Haka , a kapa haka group based in Rotorua, has left an indelible mark on the national cultural landscape and even help take Māori performance to the world. 

Te Matarae i Ōrehu made its debut appearance at the prestigious Te Matatini competition in Rotorua back in 1996. It was a momentous occasion that marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for the team, which went on to become one of the most beloved kapa haka groups in the country. Over the years, the group achieved numerous milestones, including winning several regional and two national titles, and earning a reputation for its outstanding performances that showcased the very best of Maori culture. 

However, several weeks ago, the group was disbanded, much to the disappointment of its fans and supporters. To shed some light on this unexpected turn of events, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of the key tutors of the Te Matarae i Ōrehu group. During our conversation, we discussed the history of the group, the art form of Kapa Haka, and the factors that contributed to its closure.

This is his story. Indigenous 100 – Wetini Mitai-Ngatai

A GIFTED CARVER

Master carver James Rickard has been part of the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute since he enrolled in the first carving school intake in 1967. Rickard has not only dedicated decades of his life teaching the traditional Māori art form, but he has also been instrumental in creating hundreds of bespoke pieces that now hold pride of place around the world. 

We had the chance to sit down with this master carver to talk about his craft, what it means to be a carver in Aotearoa and around the world and where he sees the future of carving. 

This is his story. Indigenous 100 – James Rickard

A MĀORI MAYORS VISION!

Moko Tepania made history as the youngest elected Far North District Council member in 2019 and again in 2022 as the district’s youngest and first Māori mayor. The far north mayor has been recognized as one of the world’s top young leaders by a global organisation advocating for youth in politics. The young mayor is also an educator and is currently finishing a master’s degree in education and his dissertation explores how Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar, can be used to benefit learning.

Tepania is among the five winners of the One Young World Politician of the Year Award, which acknowledges exceptional politicians between the ages of 18-35 who positively impact young people; which is one of the driving forces in his pursuit of politics – to bring more young people into the fold. 

We sat down with the young mayor to talk about his aspirations for young people in politics, his district of The Far North, what home means to him and more importantly – all the things he wants to achieve and his plans for the future. 

This is his story. Indigenous 100 – Moko Tepania

INDIGENOUS HEALTH CHAMPION! 

Professor Papaarangi Reid has been at the forefront of equitable outcomes for Māori for over 30 years and is known for her years of dedication to addressing equity and furthering hauora Māori in Aotearoa. We had the opportunity to sit down and talk to Prof. Papaarangi about what equity means in the health space, how people misconstrue equity into something else and where Māori can best utilise equity going into the future.

This is her story. Indigenous 100 – Professor Papaarangi Reid

Academy nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes was uncertain about her future after her breakthrough role in Whale Rider at the age of 12. Now, almost two decades later, she shares insights about her fascinating life both on and off the screen. 

Her acting career has united New Zealanders, who take pride in watching Paikea, the young girl they all know, take on more significant roles, inspiring future actors and actresses of Aotearoa. Recently, we had the privilege of sitting with Keisha, where she talked about her humble beginnings, identity struggles, having a child at a young age, and the valuable lessons she learned during her time in the industry.

This is her story. Indigenous 100 – Keisha Castle Hughes

Tēnei hautipua o te ao hākinakina! 

From a young boy with humble beginnings to a triumphant NRL player, Tawera Nikau has faced numerous trials and challenges throughout his life. Despite the obstacles he has encountered, Tawera has persevered and become the person he is today. 

His journey is an inspiring one that has touched the lives of many, from whānau to those who see him a rugby league playing role model. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Tawera and hear about his remarkable life, including his accident, his grief, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

This is his story. Indigenous 100 – Tawera Nikau