Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

The passing of Sir Sam Neill has prompted tributes from across Aotearoa’s creative community, with respected arts leader Whetū Fala remembering him as a man whose extraordinary international success never diminished his commitment to New Zealand, its people and its stories.

Sir Sam, who died this week at the age of 78, leaves behind one of the most distinguished careers in New Zealand’s cultural history. While audiences around the world knew him through iconic roles in films such as Jurassic Park, The Piano, Dead Calm and The Hunt for Red October, those within Aotearoa’s arts community remember him as someone who consistently championed New Zealand’s creative industries and encouraged emerging generations of artists.

Whetū Fala says Sir Sam represented the very best of New Zealand.

She believes his career demonstrated that it was possible to achieve international success while remaining deeply connected to one’s home, identity and community. Despite becoming one of the world’s most recognisable actors, Sir Sam continued to support New Zealand filmmaking and remained a passionate advocate for local stories.

Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, Sir Sam appeared in more than 150 film and television productions, earning widespread acclaim for his versatility, intelligence and ability to bring authenticity to every character he portrayed.

Beyond the screen, he was recognised for his generosity, humour and willingness to mentor younger performers entering the industry.

Whetū Fala says his contribution extended well beyond acting.

He helped elevate New Zealand’s reputation as a nation capable of producing world-class creative talent, opening doors for many who followed. His international profile shone a spotlight on New Zealand cinema during a period of enormous growth, helping build confidence in the country’s film and television sector.

Sir Sam’s achievements were recognised with numerous honours throughout his life, including being named an Arts Foundation Laureate in 2001 and receiving a knighthood for services to drama and charity.

He also became a successful winemaker through his Central Otago vineyard, Two Paddocks, while remaining an enthusiastic ambassador for New Zealand food, wine and rural life.

In recent years, Sir Sam spoke openly about his treatment for a rare form of blood cancer, using his personal experiences to encourage conversations around illness, resilience and living life with gratitude.

His memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, offered readers an intimate reflection on a remarkable life and became another example of his gift for storytelling beyond the screen.

For Whetū Fala, one of Sir Sam’s greatest strengths was his humility.

Despite international recognition and countless awards, he remained approachable, grounded and generous with his time, qualities that earned him enormous respect throughout the arts sector.

She says his legacy will not simply be measured through the films he made or the awards he received, but through the inspiration he provided to generations of New Zealanders who now believe their own stories deserve to be told on the world stage.

His passing marks the loss of one of Aotearoa’s most significant cultural figures.

Yet through the characters he brought to life, the filmmakers he supported and the example he set, Sir Sam Neill’s influence will continue to shape New Zealand’s creative landscape for many years to come.

For the arts community, he was more than an internationally acclaimed actor.

He was a storyteller, an ambassador, a mentor and a proud New Zealander whose legacy now becomes part of the country’s enduring cultural history.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #SirSamNeill #WhetūFala #NewZealandArts #NewZealandCinema #Film #ArtsFoundation #Storytelling #Aotearoa #NZFilm #CreativeSector #ScreenLegend #CulturalLegacy

The post #samneill: Whetū Fala Remembers Sir Sam Neill as a Humble Giant of New Zealand Storytelling appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

More than 33,000 children across Aotearoa are living in severe housing deprivation, a stark figure that has prompted the Salvation Army to launch its 2026 Winter Appeal – Hope for Homeless Families with a renewed call for action to address New Zealand’s growing homelessness crisis.

The appeal comes as charities and community organisations report increasing numbers of families seeking emergency assistance, with the cost-of-living crisis continuing to push vulnerable households closer to the brink.

Captain Andrew Wilson, Corps Officer for the Salvation Army’s Wellington South Corps, says the statistics only tell part of the story.

Behind every number is a child living without the security of a stable home, often moving between temporary accommodation, overcrowded housing, emergency motels, vehicles or the homes of extended whānau.

He says frontline teams are seeing families under immense pressure, with housing insecurity affecting children’s education, health, emotional wellbeing and sense of stability.

Many children experiencing severe housing deprivation are also more likely to face poorer health outcomes, disrupted schooling and increased stress within the household.

The Salvation Army says the cost-of-living crisis has significantly changed the profile of those seeking help.

While homelessness has traditionally been associated with unemployment and extreme poverty, the organisation is increasingly supporting working families who simply cannot keep pace with rising housing costs.

Higher rents, increasing food prices, power bills, insurance costs and transport expenses are leaving many households with little money remaining after paying for basic necessities.

For some families, even a single unexpected expense—such as a medical bill, vehicle repair or reduction in work hours—can trigger a housing crisis.

Captain Wilson says many people seeking assistance are employed but remain unable to afford stable housing due to the growing gap between wages and living costs.

The Salvation Army’s Winter Appeal aims to provide immediate support while helping families move towards long-term stability.

Funds raised through the appeal help provide emergency accommodation, food parcels, financial mentoring, budgeting advice, counselling and wraparound social support tailored to the needs of each whānau.

The organisation says emergency assistance alone is not enough.

Families often require sustained support to rebuild financial security, navigate housing systems, access health services and establish pathways into permanent accommodation.

By addressing multiple challenges simultaneously, the Salvation Army hopes to reduce the likelihood that families will return to crisis.

For Māori whānau, housing insecurity continues to reflect longstanding structural inequalities.

Māori remain disproportionately represented among those experiencing homelessness and severe housing deprivation, with lower rates of home ownership, lower household wealth and greater exposure to rental insecurity contributing to poorer housing outcomes.

Community organisations continue to advocate for greater investment in kaupapa Māori housing initiatives that place whānau wellbeing and cultural values at the centre of housing solutions.

Captain Wilson says charities cannot solve the housing crisis on their own.

While community generosity remains essential, he believes lasting solutions will require coordinated action between central government, local councils, iwi, community organisations and the private sector.

That includes increasing the supply of affordable housing, strengthening income support, expanding social housing, improving tenancy security and ensuring families receive assistance before reaching crisis point.

He says every child deserves the certainty of a warm, safe and stable place to call home.

As winter continues and demand for support grows, the Salvation Army is encouraging New Zealanders to contribute to the Winter Appeal, saying every donation helps provide practical assistance while giving families hope for a more secure future.

For many advocates, the challenge is no longer recognising that child homelessness exists.

The challenge is ensuring no child in Aotearoa grows up without the security and dignity of a place to call home.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #SalvationArmy #WinterAppeal #HopeForHomelessFamilies #ChildHomelessness #HousingCrisis #Whānau #Tamariki #MāoriHousing #CostOfLiving #SocialHousing #CommunitySupport #Aotearoa

The post #national: Hope for Homeless Families: Salvation Army Says Child Housing Crisis Demands National Action appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

One of the defining conflicts of the New Zealand Wars is receiving renewed national attention with the release of NZ Wars: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika, a new RNZ documentary and podcast series that places the voices of Te Tai Rāwhiti iwi at the centre of one of Aotearoa’s most significant, yet often overlooked, chapters of colonial history.

Released during the Matariki weekend, the series explores the 1865 siege of Waerenga-a-Hika, a conflict that forever altered the lives of Māori in Tūranga and left a legacy that continues to shape generations of whānau today.

Artist, iwi historian and Gisborne District Councillor Nick Tupara says the timing of the series is significant.

He believes Matariki, a time of remembrance, reflection and looking towards the future, provides an appropriate opportunity for New Zealanders to confront difficult aspects of the nation’s shared history while recognising the resilience of those who endured them.

The siege of Waerenga-a-Hika occurred during the New Zealand Wars as Crown forces laid siege to a pā near present-day Gisborne, targeting supporters and alleged supporters of the Pai Mārire movement.

Following the surrender, hundreds of Māori were taken prisoner.

Many men, women and children were later transported without trial to the Chatham Islands, where they remained in exile for years before some eventually returned to their ancestral lands.

The conflict became one of the defining moments in the history of Te Tai Rāwhiti, contributing to land confiscation, social disruption and intergenerational trauma whose effects continue to be felt today.

Tupara says those events remain deeply embedded in the collective memory of many whānau throughout the region.

The imprisonment of ancestors, the loss of whenua and the disruption of whakapapa connections are not simply historical events recorded in books but experiences that continue to influence identity, wellbeing and relationships between iwi and the Crown.

For many descendants, the consequences of Waerenga-a-Hika are still visible through ongoing conversations about justice, historical recognition and the restoration of mana.

The documentary and podcast series distinguish themselves by presenting the story through the voices of those whose ancestors lived the events.

Rather than relying solely on colonial accounts, the series draws upon oral histories, whakapapa, iwi knowledge and Māori scholarship to present a perspective that has often been absent from mainstream historical narratives.

Tupara believes this approach enriches New Zealand’s understanding of its own history.

By centring Te Tai Rāwhiti voices, audiences gain a fuller appreciation of the human impact of colonisation and a deeper understanding of how Māori communities experienced the conflict.

The release of the series also comes during a period of renewed national interest in the New Zealand Wars.

Recent years have seen increasing efforts to incorporate this history into schools, museums and public commemorations, recognising that many New Zealanders completed their education with little understanding of the conflicts that shaped the country’s development.

For Tupara, learning this history is not about assigning blame.

It is about acknowledging truth, recognising the experiences of those affected and creating a stronger foundation for reconciliation.

Understanding events such as Waerenga-a-Hika helps explain many of the social, political and economic challenges that continue to affect Māori communities today while strengthening the nation’s collective understanding of its past.

He believes meaningful reconciliation begins with knowledge.

Only by listening to the stories of those whose ancestors experienced these events can New Zealand continue building relationships based on honesty, respect and shared understanding.

As Aotearoa continues to reflect on its history through Matariki and beyond, NZ Wars: Stories of Waerenga-a-Hika provides an opportunity for audiences to engage with one of the country’s most important historical events through the voices of the people whose legacy endures today.

The series serves as a reminder that history is not simply about what happened in the past—it continues to shape the present and influence the future.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WaerengaAHika #NewZealandWars #TeTaiRāwhiti #NickTupara #Matariki #MāoriHistory #Whakapapa #Tūranga #RNZ #TeAoMāori #TruthTelling #Reconciliation #Aotearoa

The post #culture: Waerenga-a-Hika Remembered: New RNZ Series Brings Māori History and Truth to the Forefront appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

The closure of Genesis Youth Trust after 25 years has reignited debate over how New Zealand funds youth services, with many questioning why an organisation once praised as a model of successful early intervention has been forced to close despite a proven record of reducing youth offending and transforming lives.

The South Auckland-based charity has spent a quarter of a century working alongside some of the country’s most vulnerable rangatahi, delivering intensive mentoring, counselling, family support and employment pathways to young people referred through Police, Oranga Tamariki, the Ministry of Social Development and other agencies.

Under the leadership of Chief Executive Henare Clarke, Genesis became widely recognised for its wraparound approach, working not only with young people but also with their whānau to address trauma, reconnect them with education and create pathways into employment.

Its programmes consistently focused on prevention rather than crisis response, seeking to intervene before young people became entrenched in the criminal justice system.

What has made the closure particularly difficult for supporters is that Genesis was previously held up by senior political leaders as an example of social investment working well.

The organisation had previously received praise from then-Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who described Genesis as a rare example of a programme delivering measurable results through early intervention. Yet despite that recognition, the Trust has now closed after failing to secure the long-term funding required to continue operating.

For Clarke, the situation raises fundamental questions about whether New Zealand’s funding system truly values prevention.

He says organisations like Genesis often demonstrate their success over many years through reduced offending, improved school attendance, stronger family relationships and better employment outcomes.

Those benefits, however, are frequently realised across multiple government agencies rather than within a single funding contract.

Supporters argue this creates a paradox.

Programmes that save the country millions of dollars over time by reducing demand on Police, courts, prisons, health and social services often struggle to secure the relatively modest funding needed to continue operating.

Critics say short-term contracting models can reward immediate outputs while failing to recognise long-term social impact.

The closure also leaves around 60 young people who were actively receiving support from Genesis Youth Trust.

Clarke says staff have been working to transition those rangatahi and their whānau to alternative providers wherever possible, with the goal of ensuring no young person is simply left without support.

Even so, he acknowledges concerns remain about whether other organisations have the capacity, resources or specialised expertise to replicate the intensive, relationship-based model Genesis provided.

The closure also means experienced youth workers, counsellors, mentors and social workers will leave the organisation, taking with them decades of accumulated knowledge and trusted relationships within South Auckland communities.

Many observers believe the loss extends beyond one charity.

Genesis has long been regarded as part of a broader ecosystem of community-led organisations delivering culturally responsive services to Māori and Pasifika rangatahi who often face multiple layers of disadvantage.

For Māori communities in particular, the closure raises wider concerns about investment in kaupapa-driven prevention.

Māori remain disproportionately represented in youth justice statistics, school exclusion rates and state care.

Many community leaders argue that effective solutions require long-term relationships grounded in whakapapa, whanaungatanga and local knowledge rather than standardised programmes designed from a distance.

The end of Genesis Youth Trust has therefore become more than the closure of a charity.

It has become a symbol of the ongoing debate over whether governments are investing enough in stopping problems before they occur—or whether resources continue flowing primarily towards responding after harm has already been done.

For Clarke, the organisation’s greatest legacy will not be measured by balance sheets or contracts, but by the thousands of young people who found stability, purpose and hope through the support they received.

The question now confronting policymakers is whether New Zealand can afford to lose organisations with proven track records of changing lives—or whether the greater cost will be borne by the rangatahi and whānau left searching for the next place to turn.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #GenesisYouthTrust #HenareClarke #Rangatahi #YouthJustice #YouthServices #Prevention #EarlyIntervention #SouthAuckland #MāoriYouth #Whānau #SocialInvestment #Community #Aotearoa

The post #rangatahi: ‘A Rare Success’ No More: Genesis Youth Trust Closure Sparks National Questions About the Future of Youth Intervention appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

The rediscovery of a Charles Frederick Goldie portrait unseen by the public for more than a century is prompting renewed discussion about the relationship between art, whakapapa and the stewardship of Māori cultural heritage.

The painting, “Lost in Thought – Ngāheke, An Arawa Chieftain,” disappeared from public view after being exhibited in Christchurch in 1917 before resurfacing in Australia in 2020. It is now expected to attract significant attention from collectors following its return to the market, but for Tūhourangi descendants, its importance extends well beyond its auction value.

Among those reflecting on the portrait is Kirikowhai Mikaere, a respected Te Arawa leader who has long advocated for the protection, interpretation and return of Tūhourangi taonga.

She says the rediscovery of the portrait represents far more than the reappearance of a valuable artwork.

For descendants, it is the return of an image carrying the presence of a tūpuna whose leadership, knowledge and responsibilities continue to shape the identity of Tūhourangi today.

Ngāheke was a prominent Tūhourangi rangatira and tohunga, recognised not only for his leadership but also for his cultural and spiritual authority within Te Arawa.

His life was lived during one of the most significant periods in the history of the iwi, following the devastating 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera that destroyed Te Wairoa and forever changed the landscape and communities of the Rotorua region.

Many descendants continue to regard Ngāheke as an important link between pre-eruption Tūhourangi life and the generations that rebuilt the iwi following one of Aotearoa’s greatest natural disasters.

His portrait therefore serves as a reminder not only of an individual but of an entire chapter of Māori history.

While Goldie’s works remain among New Zealand’s most valuable paintings, Mikaere believes conversations about these portraits should begin with the people depicted rather than the artist who painted them.

She says Goldie’s technical brilliance is widely acknowledged, but his paintings also represent living whakapapa for whānau, hapū and iwi.

Every portrait carries cultural, historical and spiritual significance that cannot be measured solely in financial terms.

The commercial success of Goldie’s work has become increasingly evident in recent years, with several paintings selling for more than one million dollars and record-breaking prices continuing to attract international interest.

Yet for many Māori, the greatest value lies in the opportunity to reconnect with ancestors whose likenesses have been preserved through portraiture.

The rediscovery of Ngāheke’s portrait also raises broader questions about stewardship.

Across Aotearoa, iwi have become increasingly active in reclaiming significant cultural treasures held in museums, private collections and institutions both here and overseas.

For Tūhourangi, those conversations extend beyond individual artworks to include the ongoing protection and interpretation of taonga connected to the iwi’s history.

Recent efforts surrounding the return and care of Hinemihi-related taonga have demonstrated the growing importance Māori place on ensuring ancestral treasures remain connected to the communities from which they originated.

Mikaere believes the future of the Ngāheke portrait should involve meaningful conversations between its owners, descendants and cultural institutions about how the work can remain accessible while respecting its significance.

That may include opportunities for public exhibition, collaboration with iwi and educational initiatives that ensure future generations understand not only Goldie’s artistry but also the life and legacy of the man portrayed.

She says the painting should encourage New Zealanders to look beyond the canvas.

Rather than seeing only a celebrated work of art, it offers an opportunity to recognise the enduring presence of a Tūhourangi leader whose story continues to resonate more than a century after Goldie first captured his likeness.

As interest grows around the portrait’s sale, the rediscovery of Ngāheke serves as a reminder that some of New Zealand’s most valuable treasures are measured not simply by auction results, but by the histories, identities and whakapapa they preserve.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #KirikowhaiMikaere #Ngāheke #Tūhourangi #TeArawa #CFGoldie #ToiMāori #MāoriArt #Whakapapa #Taonga #CulturalHeritage #MāoriHistory #Aotearoa

The post #culture: Beyond the Canvas: Rediscovered Goldie Portrait Reignites Conversation About Tūhourangi Heritage appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones is expected to defend the Government’s economic agenda as debate intensifies over marine protection, Māori participation in development, fuel security and the long-term value of regional infrastructure investment.

The issues come at a time when the Government is pursuing an ambitious programme aimed at accelerating economic growth while balancing environmental protection, Treaty relationships and regional prosperity.

One of the most contentious areas remains New Zealand’s position on bottom trawling.

New Zealand continues to permit bottom trawling in parts of its Exclusive Economic Zone, while supporting international management measures designed to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Environmental organisations argue the practice damages fragile seabed habitats, including deep-sea corals and sponge gardens that can take centuries to recover. They say New Zealand risks falling behind other nations that are moving towards stronger protections for marine biodiversity.

Jones has consistently rejected calls for broader bans, arguing New Zealand already operates one of the world’s most highly regulated fisheries management systems.

He maintains decisions should be based on science and balanced against the economic importance of commercial fishing, particularly for regional communities where seafood remains a significant employer and export earner.

The debate reflects broader tensions between environmental protection and economic development, particularly as international attention focuses increasingly on ocean conservation.

The Minister is also likely to face questions about comments he has made regarding some iwi organisations opposing Government-backed development proposals.

Jones has previously argued that prolonged consultation and legal challenges can delay projects that would otherwise create employment, improve infrastructure and stimulate regional economies.

His remarks have attracted criticism from some Māori leaders, who argue iwi have legitimate Treaty rights and responsibilities to participate in decisions affecting whenua, wai and natural resources.

Many maintain that meaningful partnership strengthens rather than delays development by ensuring projects better reflect local aspirations and environmental responsibilities.

Jones, however, has repeatedly emphasised the importance of progressing investment opportunities that he believes will deliver jobs and economic growth, while continuing to recognise statutory consultation processes.

Fuel resilience represents another major focus for the Government.

Marsden Point is set to receive imported diesel as part of efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s strategic fuel reserves following the closure of domestic oil refining operations in 2022.

The Government says increasing storage capacity will improve energy security by reducing the risk of fuel shortages during international supply disruptions or natural disasters.

Supporters argue stronger fuel resilience benefits freight operators, emergency services, agriculture, manufacturing and households by improving the reliability of supply during periods of global uncertainty.

The success of the investment is expected to be measured through improved fuel security, greater supply flexibility and reduced vulnerability to international market disruptions.

Regional economic development also remains central to Jones’ ministerial portfolio.

The Government has committed significant funding through the Regional Infrastructure Fund to projects including the Ōpōtiki Marina and geothermal exploration initiatives in the Bay of Plenty.

Supporters say these investments have the potential to unlock tourism, aquaculture, renewable energy and private sector investment while creating employment opportunities in regions that have historically experienced lower levels of economic growth.

Jones has consistently argued that strategic infrastructure investment provides the foundation for long-term prosperity by attracting businesses, increasing productivity and improving regional competitiveness.

Critics, however, have questioned whether some projects will deliver lasting employment beyond the construction phase.

They have called for robust evaluation to ensure public investment generates sustainable economic benefits, strengthens local businesses and creates skilled employment opportunities that remain long after projects are completed.

The Government says Regional Infrastructure Fund investments are assessed against criteria including economic impact, community benefit, regional productivity and long-term viability.

As New Zealand prepares for the 2026 General Election, questions surrounding environmental management, Māori participation in development, energy security and regional investment are likely to become defining issues in the political debate.

For Shane Jones, the challenge will be convincing New Zealanders that economic growth, regional development and environmental stewardship can progress together while delivering tangible benefits for communities across the country.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #ShaneJones #RegionalDevelopment #BottomTrawling #Fisheries #Environment #Iwi #RegionalInfrastructure #MarsdenPoint #FuelSecurity #Ōpōtiki #BayOfPlenty #EconomicDevelopment #Aotearoa

The post #kawanatanga: Shane Jones Defends Development Agenda as Debate Grows Over Oceans, Iwi Partnerships and Regional Investment appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

The passing of Sir Sam Neill has prompted an outpouring of grief across Aotearoa and the international film community, with acclaimed filmmaker Dame Gaylene Preston remembering him as one of New Zealand’s defining screen talents and a collaborator whose influence extended far beyond the camera.

Sir Sam died in Sydney on 13 July at the age of 78. His family described his death as sudden and unexpected, noting that he had remained cancer-free following his highly publicised battle with a rare form of blood cancer. Tributes have since flowed from filmmakers, actors, political leaders and audiences around the world.

Among those reflecting on his life is Dame Gaylene Preston, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated directors, who worked closely with Sir Sam on the acclaimed 2003 film Perfect Strangers.

The film, which Preston wrote, directed and produced, starred Sir Sam opposite Australian actress Rachael Blake in a psychological thriller that blurred the lines between romance, mystery and suspense. The production became one of the standout New Zealand films of its era, earning critical acclaim internationally and further cementing Neill’s reputation as an actor capable of bringing depth, intelligence and complexity to every role.

Preston says Sir Sam possessed a rare ability to make audiences feel both comfortable and uncertain at the same time, qualities that became central to the success of Perfect Strangers. His performance demonstrated the subtlety that defined much of his career, where charisma and emotional restraint often carried as much power as dialogue.

Their collaboration reflected a shared commitment to New Zealand storytelling.

Both Sir Sam and Dame Gaylene are recognised as Arts Foundation Laureates, among the country’s highest honours for artistic achievement. Sir Sam received the distinction in 2001, with Preston following in 2005, recognising careers that have helped shape New Zealand’s cultural identity.

Sir Sam’s career spanned more than five decades and more than 150 film and television productions.

While international audiences will forever remember him as palaeontologist Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, his body of work extended far beyond Hollywood blockbusters.

He starred in films including My Brilliant Career, The Piano, Dead Calm, The Hunt for Red October, The Dish, Event Horizon and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, while television audiences embraced performances in productions such as Merlin, Peaky Blinders and The Twelve.

Despite international success, Sir Sam remained deeply connected to New Zealand.

He championed local filmmaking, supported emerging talent and became one of the country’s most recognisable cultural ambassadors. Beyond acting, he developed his Central Otago vineyard, Two Paddocks, and became equally well known for his wit, generosity and affection for rural New Zealand.

Following his 2022 cancer diagnosis, Sir Sam spoke openly about his treatment and recovery in his memoir Did I Ever Tell You This?, offering readers a deeply personal account of illness, resilience and a life dedicated to storytelling. His family confirmed that while he had overcome cancer, his death was unrelated to the disease.

For Dame Gaylene Preston, Sir Sam’s legacy extends well beyond his remarkable list of screen credits.

She says he helped demonstrate that performers from Aotearoa could stand confidently on the world’s biggest stages while remaining authentically New Zealanders.

His influence inspired generations of actors, directors and writers, many of whom saw in him proof that a career built in New Zealand could resonate across the globe.

As tributes continue from across the international film industry, Sir Sam Neill is being remembered not only as one of the country’s greatest actors, but as a generous collaborator, a passionate storyteller and a cultural icon whose work will endure for generations.

His performances may have entertained millions, but for those who worked alongside him, his greatest legacy may well be the humanity he brought to every role—and to every person he met.

#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #SamNeill #DameGaylenePreston #NewZealandCinema #PerfectStrangers #ArtsFoundation #Film #Aotearoa #JurassicPark #ThePiano #NZFilm #ScreenLegends #SirSamNeill

The post #samneill: Dame Gaylene Preston Pays Tribute to Sir Sam Neill: A Giant of New Zealand Cinema Remembered appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Kua tīmata te kāwanatanga ki te tāpui hinu diesel ki Marsden Point i Ruakākā hei puna tāpui mō te tūpono ka raru anō te taenga mai o ngā hinu nō tāwāhi.

E ai ki te Minita mō ngā Rawa, ki a Shane Jones, he tīmatanga noa iho tēnei, kia kaua a Aotearoa e whakawhirinaki ki Marsden Point anake. E ai ki a ia, me whai wāhi anō ētahi atu takiwā hei wāhi tāpui hinu, kia nui ake ai ngā rawa hinu o te motu.

The post Shane Jones | Kua whai hinu anō ai ngā tēnge tāpui hinu ki Ruakākā. appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

E whakaaro ana a Aotearoa ki te whakauru atu ki tētahi hononga ārai hōu, he kōtuitanga i waenga i a Aotearoa, Ahitereiria me Whītī hei whakapakari i te haumarutanga o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.

E ai ki a Teanau Tuiono, e tika ana kia uru atu a Aotearoa ki tēnei kōtuitanga, ehara mō te pakanga, engari mō te rangimārie me te haumaru o te rohe whānui.

E ai ki ngā mātanga, me āta whakaaro hoki te kāwanatanga ki ngā utu me ngā kawenga ka hua ake mēnā ka uru atu a Aotearoa ki taua hononga.

The post Teanau Tuiono | Te haumarutanga o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, Kei te wānangahia tētahi he hononga hōu appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.

Latest Kōreo from the rohe and motu. Ngā kaupapa nui, ngā reo o te hapori. Listen Live or Online on Waatea Digital

The post 13 o Hurae 2026 Ngā Kawepūrongo a Waatea | 12pm appeared first on Waatea News: Māori Radio Station.