Waatea News: Māori Radio Station

A major shift is underway in how New Zealanders view Asia, with new research showing stronger cultural connections, greater engagement and a growing recognition of the region’s importance to Aotearoa’s future.

The findings come as seven young New Zealand leaders fluent in Chinese take centre stage at this week’s NZ–China Business Summit, highlighting a new generation of New Zealanders helping shape relationships across business, science, diplomacy and innovation.

Joining the discussion is Massey University Emeritus Professor Paul Spoonley, whose latest research examines how attitudes towards Asia have changed dramatically over recent decades.

Professor Spoonley says one of the most significant changes since the 1990s has been the growing familiarity New Zealanders have with Asia and Asian cultures.

Three decades ago, many New Zealanders had limited direct engagement with Asia beyond trade and tourism.

Today, Asia is increasingly woven into everyday life through migration, education, travel, business, food, technology and cultural exchange.

The result is a country that is far more connected to the region than previous generations could have imagined.

Asia now represents New Zealand’s largest trading region, while communities from China, India, Korea, the Philippines and many other Asian nations have become an integral part of the country’s social and economic fabric.

According to Spoonley, changing attitudes have been driven largely by everyday experiences rather than political or diplomatic initiatives alone.

Many New Zealanders now work alongside Asian colleagues, study with Asian classmates, travel throughout the region and participate in multicultural communities.

Younger generations have grown up in a more diverse New Zealand where cultural exchange is part of daily life rather than something experienced from a distance.

The increasing visibility of Asian languages, festivals, businesses and cultural traditions has also helped normalise those connections.

For many people, Asia is no longer viewed as a separate or distant region but as part of their everyday reality.

One of the most powerful examples of changing attitudes can be found on the dinner table.

Professor Spoonley identifies cuisine as one of the strongest points of connection between New Zealanders and Asian cultures.

Whether it is Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese or Malaysian food, Asian cuisine has become a mainstream part of New Zealand life.

Food often provides an accessible and welcoming introduction to different cultures.

Through cuisine, people are exposed to stories, traditions, values and histories that create curiosity and understanding.

For many New Zealanders, cultural exploration begins with sharing a meal, trying new flavours or gathering with friends and whānau around food from different parts of Asia.

That simple act can become a gateway to broader cultural awareness and appreciation.

The presence of seven young Chinese-speaking leaders at the NZ–China Business Summit reflects another major shift identified in the research.

Younger New Zealanders are increasingly travelling, studying and working throughout Asia.

Many see the region not only as a destination but as a place of opportunity, partnership and long-term engagement.

The ability to speak Asian languages, understand different cultures and navigate international relationships is becoming a valuable skill in an increasingly interconnected world.

Young leaders entering sectors such as diplomacy, science, technology, education and business are helping strengthen New Zealand’s links with some of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

Professor Spoonley believes these trends point towards an even deeper relationship between New Zealand and Asia in the future.

Economic ties remain important, but cultural understanding, education and people-to-people connections are becoming just as significant.

The rise of younger generations who are comfortable engaging across cultures suggests New Zealand’s future relationship with Asia will be built not only through trade agreements and diplomatic partnerships, but through everyday relationships and shared experiences.

As Aotearoa becomes increasingly diverse, understanding Asia is no longer simply an international issue.

It is part of understanding modern New Zealand itself.

The message emerging from the research is clear: New Zealand’s relationship with Asia has evolved from one of distance to one of connection, and the next generation is poised to strengthen those ties even further.

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A chance encounter at Fieldays has put Manawa Honey in the spotlight after Karioi ki Tahuaroa White was filmed presenting the company’s unique range of native bush honeys to Te Arikinui Kuini Ngawai Hono i te Pō and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka entirely in te reo Māori.

The moment showcased not only the quality of a proudly Māori-owned honey business, but also the growing confidence of a new generation of Māori entrepreneurs promoting indigenous products through te reo and mātauranga Māori.

For Karioi, the experience reflected the kaupapa behind Manawa Honey — connecting people to the whenua, the ngahere and the stories that sit behind every jar.

While mānuka honey remains one of New Zealand’s most internationally recognised products, Manawa Honey has built a reputation around a wider range of native bush honeys.

Drawing from the rich biodiversity of Aotearoa’s forests, the company produces honey sourced from a variety of indigenous flowering species, each offering its own distinctive flavour profile and characteristics.

The result is a collection of honeys that reflect the landscapes and ecosystems from which they come.

For Manawa Honey, every harvest tells a story about the environment, the season and the relationship between bees and native flora.

The company has attracted attention for celebrating lesser-known native honeys while promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and Māori values of kaitiakitanga.

Karioi’s involvement with Manawa Honey grew from a passion for te ao Māori, whenua and community development.

The business represents more than commercial success. It is also about creating opportunities for Māori, sharing indigenous knowledge and building stronger connections between people and the natural world.

That philosophy has helped Manawa Honey establish a unique identity in an increasingly competitive market.

By combining traditional values with modern entrepreneurship, the company has developed products that resonate with consumers looking for authenticity, sustainability and a deeper connection to place.

One of Manawa Honey’s most significant recent initiatives has been the development of a special Matariki pack in collaboration with Professor Rangi Mātāmua.

The pack celebrates the Māori New Year while also supporting an important kaupapa through fundraising for the Tuawhenua Trust.

The Trust works to strengthen connections to mātauranga Māori, environmental stewardship and cultural development, supporting initiatives that benefit communities and future generations.

By linking a commercial product to community outcomes, the partnership reflects the values of collective responsibility and reciprocity that underpin many Māori enterprises.

The Matariki pack provides consumers with an opportunity not only to enjoy premium native honey products but also to contribute directly to kaupapa that support cultural and environmental wellbeing.

The timing of the initiative aligns closely with the values of Matariki itself.

The Māori New Year is a period of reflection, gratitude and planning for the future. It is also a time when many people consider how they can contribute to their communities and support collective aspirations.

For Manawa Honey, the Matariki pack embodies those principles by connecting consumers to both the natural environment and a broader social purpose.

The collaboration with Professor Mātāmua has further strengthened the educational and cultural significance of the project.

The visibility generated by events such as Fieldays demonstrates the growing strength of Māori businesses operating across agriculture, food production and environmental sectors.

Companies like Manawa Honey are increasingly showing how commercial success can sit alongside cultural integrity, language revitalisation and community development.

For Karioi ki Tahuaroa White, standing before Te Arikinui and government leaders speaking confidently in te reo Māori was more than a business presentation.

It was a reflection of the future many Māori entrepreneurs are helping to build — one where culture, language, sustainability and enterprise work together.

As Matariki celebrations continue across Aotearoa, Manawa Honey’s story offers a reminder that some of the sweetest successes come from staying connected to whakapapa, whenua and community.

Those interested in purchasing a Matariki pack can find further information through Manawa Honey’s online platforms and promotional channels, with proceeds helping support the ongoing work of the Tuawhenua Trust.

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A New Zealand whānau has brought national attention to the growing dangers of artificial intelligence after discovering family photographs had allegedly been taken from social media and manipulated into explicit content without their knowledge or consent.

The deeply distressing case, highlighted on TVNZ’s Marae, has reignited concerns about the misuse of personal images online and the increasing accessibility of AI tools capable of generating realistic but entirely fabricated content.

As technology evolves at a rapid pace, online safety experts are warning that anyone with publicly available photographs on social media could potentially become a target for digital exploitation.

Sean Lyons, Chief Online Safety Officer at Netsafe NZ, says cases involving image-based abuse and AI-generated content are becoming an increasingly significant challenge for victims, families and authorities.

Artificial intelligence has transformed the online landscape, creating new opportunities for innovation, but also new avenues for abuse.

Experts say the misuse of family photos, personal images and publicly available social media content to create explicit or humiliating material is becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect.

Unlike traditional forms of image manipulation, modern AI systems can generate highly realistic content using only a small number of photographs. In many cases, victims may not even be aware their images have been copied, altered or shared online until someone alerts them.

The emotional toll can be severe, affecting mental health, personal relationships, employment and a person’s sense of safety.

For Māori communities, where whakapapa, identity and whānau connections are deeply valued, the unauthorised misuse of personal images can carry an additional layer of cultural and emotional harm.

Netsafe serves as New Zealand’s primary organisation dedicated to online safety and digital harm prevention.

The organisation provides support to individuals experiencing online abuse, cyberbullying, image-based exploitation and harmful digital communications. It also assists victims in understanding their rights, reporting harmful content and navigating the often-complex process of seeking removal of material from online platforms.

In situations involving AI-generated explicit content, Netsafe can help victims document evidence, identify reporting pathways and connect with social media companies, website operators and relevant authorities.

The organisation also works closely with government agencies, schools, community groups and technology companies to improve online safety awareness across New Zealand.

While image-based abuse is not a new phenomenon, experts say the emergence of AI tools has dramatically increased both the scale and accessibility of the problem.

Previously, creating convincing fake images required advanced technical skills and specialised software. Today, many AI image generators are available online and can produce realistic content in a matter of seconds.

Internationally, reports of AI-generated intimate images and deepfake content have surged over the past two years, affecting celebrities, public figures and everyday social media users alike.

Online safety advocates warn that the technology is advancing faster than public awareness, leaving many people unaware of how easily their personal images can be misused.

Experts recommend that social media users take proactive steps to reduce their exposure to digital exploitation.

Reviewing privacy settings regularly can help limit who can view and download personal photographs. Restricting access to trusted friends and family members may reduce the likelihood of images being copied by strangers.

Users are also encouraged to think carefully before sharing photographs that reveal personal details, locations, schools or other identifying information.

Regularly searching for one’s name and images online can sometimes help identify unauthorised use before it spreads more widely.

Parents are advised to discuss online privacy with their children and consider carefully which images of tamariki are shared publicly on digital platforms.

If someone discovers their images have been misused, experts recommend avoiding direct engagement with offenders and instead documenting evidence through screenshots, URLs and dates before reporting the content.

Victims of image-based abuse in New Zealand may have legal options available.

The Harmful Digital Communications Act provides protections against serious online abuse and can be used in situations where harmful content causes significant emotional distress.

Depending on the circumstances, police involvement may also be appropriate, particularly where criminal offences have occurred or where children are involved.

New Zealand’s Privacy Act may offer additional avenues for complaints where personal information has been misused.

Many social media companies and online platforms have reporting systems specifically designed to address non-consensual intimate imagery and AI-generated explicit content. Successful removal often depends on reporting the material quickly and providing sufficient evidence.

Experts stress that victims should not feel isolated or powerless. Support services exist, and early reporting can improve the chances of having harmful material removed.

The case featured on Marae highlights the darker side of rapidly advancing technology and the need for stronger public awareness around online safety.

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, experts say communities, governments and technology companies must work together to ensure innovation does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity and personal safety.

For whānau affected by digital exploitation, the experience serves as a stark reminder that a simple family photograph shared online can be vulnerable to misuse in ways that were unimaginable only a few years ago.

The challenge now is ensuring New Zealand’s laws, support services and digital platforms keep pace with technology that continues to evolve faster than ever before.

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Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is preparing to welcome thousands of people to Takaparawhau for one of the most significant events on the Matariki calendar, a pre-dawn hautapu ceremony that brings together remembrance, reflection, gratitude and hope for the year ahead.

Led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Chair Marama Royal and supported by respected cultural leaders including Monique Maihi-Pihema, the ceremony forms a central part of the wider Matariki Herenga Waka celebrations, a national event that recognises Auckland as a gathering place for people from many cultures, communities and traditions. The theme, Matariki Herenga Waka – For Everyone, reflects Tāmaki Makaurau’s role as a place of arrival, connection and belonging.

The hautapu ceremony will take place at Takaparawhau/Bastion Point on Friday, 10 July 2026, from 5.45am to 7.30am and is free for the public to attend. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is hosting both its annual hautapu and the nationally broadcast Matariki hautapu ā-motu, placing Takaparawhau at the heart of Matariki celebrations across Aotearoa.

The hautapu ceremony is one of the most sacred and meaningful rituals associated with Matariki.

The ceremony acknowledges the rising of the Matariki star cluster and marks the beginning of the Māori New Year. It is a time to remember loved ones who have passed away, celebrate the present, express gratitude for the abundance provided by the natural world and set aspirations for the future.

At the centre of the ritual is the preparation and offering of food gathered from different domains of the environment. Before sunrise, kai is cooked and dedicated through karakia. As the steam rises towards the stars, it symbolically carries messages of remembrance, thanksgiving and hope. The ceremony connects the living with those who have passed, while reaffirming the relationship between people, the environment and the celestial world.

The hautapu ritual reflects centuries of mātauranga Māori and astronomical knowledge.

Matariki is more than a cluster of stars. It serves as a calendar system that guided Māori communities in understanding seasonal changes, food gathering, planting cycles and environmental conditions.

The ceremony at Takaparawhau draws on these traditional understandings, acknowledging the interconnected relationship between the stars, the land, the sea and the people. It reinforces values of kaitiakitanga, remembrance, collective wellbeing and respect for the natural world.

For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the event also provides an opportunity to reconnect urban communities with tikanga and practices handed down through generations. Leaders have emphasised that Matariki is a time to strengthen relationships with te taiao and remember the abundance that once characterised Tāmaki Makaurau.

The involvement of cultural leaders such as Monique Maihi-Pihema helps ensure the ceremony remains grounded in tikanga Māori while remaining accessible to a diverse audience.

As Matariki continues to grow as a national celebration, cultural leadership plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of traditional practices and ensuring that the deeper meanings behind the ceremony are understood.

Their guidance helps create a space where both Māori and non-Māori can participate respectfully, learn about the significance of Matariki and strengthen their connection to the kaupapa.

Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and be prepared for winter weather conditions, as the ceremony takes place before dawn.

Warm clothing, rain protection and comfortable footwear are recommended. Participants should approach the event with respect, recognising that the hautapu is both a public gathering and a sacred cultural ceremony.

Listening carefully to guidance from organisers, observing tikanga and participating with an open mind are important ways to honour the occasion.

Many attendees choose to spend time reflecting on loved ones who have passed, achievements from the past year and aspirations for the future before attending the ceremony.

The event provides a unique opportunity to experience one of the most important traditions of the Māori New Year in a setting of immense historical and cultural significance.

The theme Matariki Herenga Waka reflects the idea that Matariki belongs to everyone who calls Aotearoa home.

Takaparawhau, overlooking the Waitematā Harbour, has long been a place of gathering and connection. As thousands prepare to assemble beneath the winter stars, the ceremony will once again unite people from across the motu in a shared moment of remembrance, reflection and renewal.

For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the event represents both an expression of manaakitanga and a continuation of a longstanding tradition of welcoming communities onto their whenua to celebrate the Māori New Year together.

What: Matariki Herenga Waka Hautapu Ceremony

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