Whakamāori

The team translate & unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women.

In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, Piripi Gordon, & Atakura Hunia— translate and unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women.

It's a speech that hits hard and hits home about the pressure to be everything but never too much.

The panel explores how this modern feminist kōrero translates into te reo Māori—not just the words but the emotion, the frustration, and the everyday truths behind it.

It's an episode for anyone who's ever felt like they're constantly walking a line—and wants the reo to talk about it.

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We dive into the world of sexual & reproductive health, translating & unpacking an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About AI.

Nau mai, hoki mai, ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori!

We're kicking things off with an episode that dives into the world of sexual and reproductive health, as the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—translate and unpack an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About AI.

It's a wide-ranging kōrero that touches on everything from contraception and vasectomies to sexual well-being and the role of holistic care—but the real focus for this episode is the reo. If you've ever wanted to grow your knowledge of kupu Māori related to the body, sex, and reproductive health, this is the perfect place to start.

The panel break down key terms, clarifies meanings, and has open, respectful discussions about how we talk about these things in te reo Māori—with accuracy, comfort, and care.

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This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all spaces—the serious, the silly, the everyday, and the unexpected. From pop culture to politics, waiata to whakataukī, Whakamāori shows that the language is everywhere.

Nau mai hoki mai ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori—where the world meets te reo Māori.

This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all spaces—the serious, the silly, the everyday, and the unexpected. From pop culture to politics, waiata to whakataukī, Whakamāori shows that the language is everywhere.

Returning to lead the kaupapa are Chey Milne and Tākuta Anaha Hiini, joined each week by a rotating guest whose whakamāori skills, reo style, and whakaaro bring fresh energy to every episode. Together, they don't just translate—they unpack meaning, challenge assumptions, and highlight how te reo Māori can express the full range of human experience.

Whether you're fluent, learning, or just listening in, Whakamāori is your invitation to see the world through a Māori lens—one kupu at a time.

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In this final episode, the panel are joined by a live audience to translate some of their favourite movie lines.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

If a movie is memorable chances are there is good dialogue that will be quoted for some time.

Like The Terminators 'I'll be back', or Jerry Maguire's 'You had me at hello' or the classic Dirty Dancing line 'Nobody puts baby in a corner!" some are cheesy, and other lines are a sign of the times, in this episode, the eighties and nineties was an era of movie magic.

The live audience also take part in the discussion and even offer up their own favourite movie quotes.

Sit back and grab the popcorn!

Get a printable version of the translations here.

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What's the secret sauce when it comes to translating a recipe? The panel discover Big Mac Tacos. Yum!

Watch the video version of the episode here.

When a home-made recipe goes viral on social media it makes sense for our panel to figure out what the 'secret sauce' is when it comes to translating recipes.

The panel takes up the mouth watering challenge to translate the Big Mac Taco recipe, you might want to make yourself one after listening to this weeks episode.

As a tip to learners of te reo Māori, there are many ways to say 'I'm full' - hear a few in this episode.

Get a printable version of the episodes here.

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Back when TV opening themes just hit differently - our panel go back to the '90s and translate the theme song of one of our favourite soaps.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

Is it you or is it me?

The iconic opening line from the Shortland Street theme, a staple series on television today. Our hosts are experienced in the world of composing songs, translating popular movies like Sponge Bob Tarau Porowhā (Sponge Bob Square Pants) and Kimo Houltham is an actor and presenter, but how will the panel fair in translating this classic gem?

Written by Graham Bollard and performed by Tina Cross. Let the real life drama unfold as the panel dig deep into their pātaka kupu (dictionary) to capture the essence of the song.

Get a printable version of the translations here.

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In a public address to the government of Samoa Helen Clark apologised to the people for past injustices.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

In 2002, New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark delivered a historic apology during Samoa's 40th anniversary of

independence festivities.  The speech recognised the past injustices of the Samoan people including the spread of the influenza virus in 1918, and a non-violent protest in 1929 that resulted in the death of nine people.

Our hosts draw on words and ideas that draw on addressing the past, but moving towards reconciliation.

Get printable versions of the translations here.

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A memorable phrase, a call to action or a motto. Slogans are everywhere, our panel pick some of their favourites.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

He iti te kupu, he nui te whakaaro. Although there are few words the meaning is much bigger.

The same can be attributed to slogans, many of which are quick snappy words that hook in it's customer. From fast food chains to shoes, property companies to food delivery. It's a marketing tool that entices people to buy into their key messages and their product.

So what slogans will the panel translate in this episode? Check out this week's episode of Whakamāori.

Get a printable version of the translations here.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Inspired by the late Moana Jackson the panel translate his article as featured in the book 'Imagining Decolonisation'.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

The late Moana Jackson (1945 - 2022) was a visionary, a Māori rights activist and a lawyer.

The book Imagining Decolonisation published by Bridget Williams Books is a collection of essays that explore this subject in Aotearoa. In Chapter five 'Where to next? Decolonisation and the stories in the land' Jackson writes...

'Colonisation is a process of dispossession and control rather than a historical artefact, and now it takes on new forms."

In this episode the panel unravel the essence of his message, translating key excerpts into a tapestry of Te Reo Māori.

Get a printable version of the translations here

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An iconic courtroom scene between two unforgettable characters is translated by the panel complete with American accents.

Watch the video version of the episode here.

In this episode, the panel dust off their acting chops to recreate a dialogue scene between characters Colonel Nathan Jessop played by Jack Nicholson and Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee played by Tom Cruise in the movie A Few Good Men.

The court scene creates this 'buzz' between the two main characters, but how will the hosts tackle this in their translations?

The play was written by Aaron Sorkin and adapted to film by producer Rob Reiner.

Get a printable version of the translations here.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details