Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

A powerful new book is shedding light on one of Aotearoa’s most misunderstood rangatira – Te Pahi – and the injustice that followed his death.

Award-winning journalist Eugene Bingham’s latest work, The Chief and the Empire, revisits the story of the Te Tai Tokerau leader who crossed the Tasman in 1805, forging early relationships with colonial authorities in New South Wales.

Te Pahi was welcomed as a respected figure in Sydney, forming close ties with Governor Philip Gidley King and missionary Samuel Marsden. During his visit, he observed the harsh realities of the penal colony – even challenging death sentences handed down to men accused of stealing food, helping spare some from execution.

But despite his leadership and diplomacy, Te Pahi’s legacy was later overshadowed by tragedy.

After returning home, he was wrongly blamed for the 1809 attack on the British ship Boyd. In retaliation, he was killed – and his name unfairly tarnished for generations.

Bingham says the story is one of injustice, but also connection.

“In my journalistic career, I’ve often pursued stories about injustice – and that’s definitely one of the themes of Te Pahi’s story.”

The book explores early Māori-Crown relationships before Te Tiriti o Waitangi, offering insight into a time when two worlds were first coming into contact – often with profound consequences.

Bingham says he hopes readers come away with a deeper understanding of the past.

“Te Pahi reminds us of the relationship between Māori and the Crown before the Treaty.”

During his research, Bingham also witnessed a rare full-circle moment – helping reconnect descendants of Te Pahi with those linked to events in Sydney more than 200 years ago.

“It felt like a sequel to events that unfolded in 1806… you never truly know how the things we do now will ripple into the future.”

The book blends history, true crime, and storytelling – bringing a complex chapter of Aotearoa’s past to life in a way that is both accessible and deeply human.

For Radio Waatea, it’s a reminder that history is not fixed – and that reclaiming these stories is key to understanding who we are today.

#RadioWaatea #TePahi #MāoriHistory #Aotearoa #TeTaiTokerau #ColonialHistory #TeTiriti #BooksNZ #Storytelling #NZNews

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One of the country’s oldest kapa haka regionals has once again taken centre stage, with Tamararo in Tairāwhiti drawing crowds, talent, and powerful performances that reflect the strength of te ao Māori.

Hāti Nāti supporter and Te Pāti Māori candidate Hayley Maxwell says the event was a celebration of culture, identity, and intergenerational excellence.

“The highlight for me was seeing the depth of talent across all the rōpū – the passion, the precision, and the pride in who we are as Māori,” she says.

Tamararo featured a strong lineup of kapa haka groups from across the region, each bringing their own unique style, kaupapa, and whakapapa to the stage. The competition continues to grow in stature, showcasing both seasoned performers and emerging talent.

Maxwell says the event is a clear sign of the health of te ao Māori.

“When you see our rangatahi standing strong in their reo, their tikanga, and their identity – you know our culture is thriving.”

Beyond the competition, Tamararo remains a space for whānau and communities to come together, reinforcing connections and celebrating shared heritage.

While judges had the difficult task of selecting official winners, Maxwell says every group brought something special.

“For me, the real winners are our people – our tamariki, our rangatahi, our kaumātua – all carrying the kaupapa forward.”

For Radio Waatea, Tamararo is more than a competition – it’s a powerful expression of cultural resilience, unity, and the enduring strength of kapa haka in Aotearoa.

#RadioWaatea #Tamararo #KapaHaka #Tairāwhiti #TeAoMāori #TeReoMāori #Tikanga #Whānau #MāoriCulture #NZNews

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The return of the Mana Wāhine Inquiry to Te Tai Tokerau is being hailed as a powerful moment for wāhine Māori to reclaim their voices, their status, and their tino rangatiratanga.

Green MP Huhana Lyndon says the hearings at Otiria Marae are more than just a forum – they are a long-overdue platform for Māori women to speak directly to the Crown about generations of inequity.

“This is a vital moment for wāhine Māori to assert their stories and be heard,” Lyndon says.

The Mana Wāhine Inquiry, led by the Waitangi Tribunal, examines how the Crown has failed to uphold the rights and status of wāhine Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi — particularly in areas like leadership, wellbeing, and participation in decision-making.

Lyndon says for wāhine in Te Tai Tokerau, the hearings provide an opportunity to bring lived experiences to the forefront – from housing struggles and health inequities, to barriers in employment and community safety.

Many wāhine Māori continue to face systemic exclusion, both within institutions and in leadership spaces, despite their central role in whānau, hapū and iwi.

Lyndon believes restoring the authority of wāhine Māori requires structural change – including greater representation in governance, stronger recognition of tikanga Māori, and meaningful partnership with the Crown.

She says the stories being shared at Otiria Marae reflect not just individual experiences, but collective truths about the challenges Māori women navigate every day.

Looking ahead, Lyndon hopes the inquiry will deliver outcomes that go beyond acknowledgement – securing justice, recognition, and lasting change for future generations.

For Radio Waatea, the Mana Wāhine hearings are a reminder that the pursuit of equity is ongoing – and that the voices of wāhine Māori are central to shaping the future of Aotearoa.

#RadioWaatea #ManaWāhine #WāhineMāori #TeTiriti #WaitangiTribunal #TinoRangatiratanga #MāoriLeadership #Aotearoa #Equity #NZNews

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The Government is facing mounting scrutiny across multiple fronts, as senior minister the Hon Tama Potaka responds to key issues shaping iwi–Crown relations, environmental decision-making, and political representation.

Speaking as a regular guest, Minister Potaka addressed the significance of a landmark settlement signed this week with Whanganui iwi, who have described the Crown’s historic actions as causing “immense harm.”

The agreement marks another step in the ongoing reconciliation process, with Potaka acknowledging the weight of responsibility on the Government to honour commitments and strengthen relationships moving forward.

The minister says settlements are not just about redress, but about building enduring partnerships grounded in mutual respect and accountability.

At the same time, Potaka is facing legal pressure, with a High Court judicial review reportedly challenging his decision to decline advice to expand conservation land – particularly around national park boundaries.

Questions are being raised about the principles behind that decision, as well as how the Government balances environmental protection with competing land-use priorities.

Critics argue the conservation portfolio is under strain, pointing to concerns around transparency and the long-term direction of biodiversity strategy.

Potaka maintains that environmental protections remain a priority, and says decisions are being guided by evidence, sustainability goals, and the need to deliver balanced outcomes for communities and the environment.

The spotlight is also on the National Party itself, following analysis highlighting concerns about diversity — particularly Māori and Pasifika representation within its ranks.

Potaka says the party recognises the need to better reflect Aotearoa’s communities and is working to rebuild trust and engagement with under-represented groups.

For Radio Waatea, the conversation reflects a broader moment in New Zealand politics -where Treaty relationships, environmental stewardship, and representation are all under the microscope.

#RadioWaatea #TamaPotaka #IwiCrown #TreatySettlement #Conservation #Biodiversity #NZPolitics #MāoriRepresentation #Pasifika #Aotearoa

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