Our key take aways from our kōrero with Ezekiel Raui!

At the time of recording, Ezekiel Raui is a 22 year old with a maturity level far beyond his years!  Growing up Zeke and his friends were exposed to several youth suicides in their local community.  This was the catalyst which contributed to them making a conscious decision to create change to make sure the past didn't continue to repeat itself in the future.

Over the past few years Zeke has been on the grind setting up the initiative Tu Kotahi, he's met the Queen, graduated from University, won countless awards all the while staying incredibly humble.

Take the time and get ready to listen to Zeke - a brother creating change!

Our key take aways from our kōrero with the manawahine from Tukau Legacy!

Tukau Legacy and Tukau law are two entities that are entwined in each other and were established by two manawahine - Season and Chelsea. What sits in front of Tukau Legacy/ Law, Season and Chelsea is a kaupapa that this bio won't be able to give justice to, so we'll leave the beautiful and eloquent definition for them to explain in this episode!  What we will say is that there are people that do good for themselves and there are people that do good for their people.  This epic duo definitely fit into the latter! As always - set aside some time to sink into another epic episode - this is Tukau Legacy!

Shannon Thompson, the creator of Out Of Comfort clothing is a Christchurch based designer taking her brand to epic levels.  At only 28 years old she has already travelled through Europe and attended numerous fashion events and has just recently taken her designs global, and she is absolutely killing it. We sit down and kōrero about her upbringing and the things that shaped her path towards being a proud Maori manawahine who is living her dream.

Get comfortable and lock into Shannon's episode!

Te Kehukehu Mokoia Ngawhika Patara Butler or as most people know him - Kehu Butler, is a Tauranga Moana local and taking his skills well beyond Aotearoa shores.

At the age of 19, Kehu is taking on the big boys of surfing but this was always the goal, he's been killing it in this field since he was a young buck. Growing up immersed in te ao Moari with positive role models like his grandfather (who still surfs with him!) he understands the privilege combining his career, travelling and passion and also the responsibility that comes with it as he fly's the Maori flag proudly abroad.

It's epic to see how whangaungatanga has played such a pivotal role in how Kehu see's the world and how that has allowed him to reciprocate. This is Kehu Butler - Grabbing life by the teeth!

After growing up in te ao Pakeha, entering the world of te ao Maori can be quite confronting and scary.  This episode scratches the surface on what Daz and Scott experienced growing up in one world and entering another in later life.  

Lots of listeners will have experienced the same thing and may be able to relate quite well to this ep.  At the end of the day though, if you're making changes to discover Maoridom then you're kicking ass!

As always, sit down, shut out the distraction and listen in.  This is The Korero Sesson.

In this weeks episode we kōrero with Matua Luke Crawford about his experiences dedicating his life to sharing Maoridom with our people.

Whether it was through his time as a police officer, giving rangatahi hope and purpose or connecting New Zealand rugby players back to their roots, Luke has shared valuable knowledge and stories throughout the majority of his life.  It's kaumatua such as this that has kept many of us connected when we may not have had the opportunity to in earlier life.  Pull up a seat and settle in - Luke is taking us on a journey!

Loads of people know Kai as a top MMA fighter, currently sitting at 9th in the world at the Flyweight division of the UFC. Kai is the human equivalent of an iceberg, people see the top performing results on display however what most people don't see is the insane work ethic and tireless dedication that goes on behind the scenes.  A humble Ngāti Kahungunu man taking it to the world!  on this episode we get a special insight into Kai's life.

Kai represents not only himself, but his team, his country and his culture. This is the 'Modern Day Maori Warrior' 

When you're dealt a sh#*tty hand it can be really easy to carry on blaming other people, the environment and never reaching your potential or purpose.  Jacinda flips that on it's head and has made the most of what her past experiences have opened her eyes to - the epitome of positivity through adversity. 

She has this amazing 'I'll be ok and I've got this' attitude, which has helped shape her current situation and paved the way for a future which allows her to give back to the community on a daily basis. Another epic manawahine sharing her life with all of us!