Tag Archives: Maori

Trapped in Museums for Centuries, Maori Ancestors Are Coming Home

Trapped in Museums for Centuries, Maori Ancestors Are Coming Home

Writing for Atlas Obscura, Ye Charlotte Ming has taken an in-depth look at the ongoing process of repatriation of Maori remains from international museums, quoting poet and musician Hinemoana Baker, researcher Amber Aranui and…

New Zealand Theatre Showcase Presented By NYC’s SoHo Playhouse for 2020

New Zealand Theatre Showcase Presented By NYC’s SoHo Playhouse for 2020

A season of New Zealand theatre is set to hit New York stages next year. Showing at SoHo Playhouse, Wild Dogs Under My Skirt, Modern Māori Quartet: Two Worlds and The Contours of…

Climate Change A Critical Issue – NZ US Ambassador

Climate Change A Critical Issue – NZ US Ambassador

Climate change is a critical issue for New Zealand and the Pacific island region as a whole given its exposure to extreme weather events, says New Zealand’s ambassador to the United States Rosemary Banks,…

Hidden Tattoos: Bradley’s Puaki Portraits Conceal Maori Markings

Hidden Tattoos: Bradley’s Puaki Portraits Conceal Maori Markings

New Zealand photographer Michael Bradley’s Puaki exhibition shows what Maori people would look like without their facial tattoos. Daily Mail reporter Ben Hill explains how Bradley used a digital camera to take photos of…

Then & Now: NZ’s Natural Beauty on Display in Turn-of-the-Century Photos

Then & Now: NZ’s Natural Beauty on Display in Turn-of-the-Century Photos

A series of turn-of-the-century photocroms, published by MailOnline’s Tim Stickings, reveal the beauty of the New Zealand landscape a hundred years ago. The colour photographs of the country’s mountains, lakes and fjords “were reproduced…

How Spark Helped NZ Learn Māori

How Spark Helped NZ Learn Māori

“Whilst te reo Māori has steadily seen an increase in a number of revitalisation efforts across New Zealand—especially in recent years—actual te reo learning opportunities remain limited and sometimes inaccessible,” writes Faaez Samadi in…

Maori Language Is Having a Renaissance in NZ

Maori Language Is Having a Renaissance in NZ

“A teenage thrash metal band screams out Maori lyrics in its latest videos. A popular radio host is learning New Zealand’s indigenous language and sharing new vocabulary with his audience. Maori is having a…

Flax Weaving

Flax Weaving

Watch this documentary on Maori flax weaving. Flax was used to weave baskets, containers and mats from the leaves as well as a wide range of items. The video…

Kiwi Entrepreneur Makes Forbes Under 30 List

Kiwi Entrepreneur Makes Forbes Under 30 List

Law and commerce graduate Shay Wright has been listed on Forbes Under 30 Asia list in the magazine’s social entrepreneur category as co-founder of Te Wharre Hukahuka, an organization that aims to rebuild the…

Ta Moko – Traditional Maori Face and Body Tattoos

Ta Moko – Traditional Maori Face and Body Tattoos

The Daily Mail has featured a number of black and white photos, which were taken by possibly the first New Zealand female professional photographer  Elizabeth Pulman and depict “how far…

Mahana – Official Trailer

Mahana – Official Trailer

Watch the inspiring trailer for the movie Mahana based on Witi Ihimaera novel Bulibasha and directed by Lee Tamahori. Māori cast also includes Temuera Morrison, Nancy Brunning and Jim…

Discovering Maori Culture With GoPro HD

Discovering Maori Culture With GoPro HD

Rodrigo’s HDTV takes his GoPro HD around New Zealand to discover the amazing sights and see what the Maori culture is all about. Follow Rodrigo through Auckland, Piha, Rotorua,…

Rotorua: Hot Pools to Hangis

Rotorua: Hot Pools to Hangis

See what amazing experiences Rotorua has to offer with whitewater rafting, rolling down a hill in an inflatable ball at Ogo, soaking it up in a natural hot pool,…

This is Piki: Behind the scenes to new Māori drama series

This is Piki: Behind the scenes to new Māori drama series

Take a look at s new Māori drama series ‘This is Piki’ currently being filmed in Rotorua. Kereama Wright went behind the scenes to ‘This is Piki’ and met…

Ngaguia Murphy – Auckland Museum Scholarship

Ngaguia Murphy – Auckland Museum Scholarship

Ngaguia Murphy tells us her story of receiving the Sir Hugh Kawharu Auckland Museum Scholarship 2015. Ngahuia’s research will investigate censored and marginalised traditions relating to Māori women, allowing…

The Best Day I Ever Had – JGeeks

The Best Day I Ever Had – JGeeks

Listen and relax to the tunes of the JGeeks’ ‘The Best I Ever Had’. JGeeks are an New Zealand performance Maori comedy music group and best known for their…

Maori Water Rights up for Debate

Maori Water Rights up for Debate

“Unlike many countries,” The Economist reports, “New Zealand is blessed with abundant fresh water. Its temperate climate, regular rainfall over much of the country, and thousands of lakes and rivers ensure a…

Te Kahautu Maxwell Profile

Te Kahautu Maxwell Profile

Te Kahautu Maxwell is an extraordinary person, an academic, a stalwart of the Ringatu faith and a haka exponent, who grew up in Opotiki under the teachings of his…

Japanese Tertiary Student Embraces Maori Language

Japanese Tertiary Student Embraces Maori Language

Te Karere TVNZ presents a video about an enthused Japanese student who has the passion for the Maori language at Victoria University in Wellington. She spoke with Kereama Wright….

The Dark Horse Official Trailer

The Dark Horse Official Trailer

Take a look at the trailer “The Dark Horse” about Genesis Potini, a highly charismatic, Maori, former chess champion goes in search of a life that reflects the truth…

Tales from the mythologies of Creation, Maui and Aoraki

Tales from the mythologies of Creation, Maui and Aoraki

Take a look at an animation about the story of Maui and Aoraki by Animation Research Ltd, which screened daily in the ‘Waka Maori’ pavilion (Auckland, New Zealand) during the 2011…

New Zealand to Rural Iceland – Extreme Commute

New Zealand to Rural Iceland – Extreme Commute

Every year, several dozen butchers make a lengthy commute – from provincial New Zealand to rural Iceland – for just two months’ work. Shawn Parkinson (pictured, far left), one of the butchers, explains that the…

USA Today: Breaking Down the All Blacks Haka

USA Today: Breaking Down the All Blacks Haka

USA Today has provided insight into the Haka, which has become a familiar rite to anyone who has watched a New Zealand team play in international sporting events. The Haka, drew headlines this summer as…

The Dead Lands (2014) Teaser Trailer

The Dead Lands (2014) Teaser Trailer

Watch the teaser trailer for a New Zealand 2014 movie, The Dead Lands. An intense story about a a Maori chieftain’s teenage son that must avenge his father’s murder…

Behind the scenes of Te Reo SpongeBob

Behind the scenes of Te Reo SpongeBob

Take a look at the behind the scenes of Nickelodeon’s famous childrens cartoon series, Sponge Bob Squarepants in Te Reo Maori. Find out the people who are making the…

Waka Huia – Part 1

Waka Huia – Part 1

Take a look at part 1 of 2 video documentary about maori weapons on ‘Waka Huia’ featured on TVNZ. In this episode of Waka Huia, Maori weapons are seen…

Aotearoa – Stan Walker, Ria Hall, Maisey Rika & Troy Kingi

Aotearoa – Stan Walker, Ria Hall, Maisey Rika & Troy Kingi

Listen to the amazing voices of Stan Walker, Ria Hall, Maisey Rika & Troy Kingi singing a waiata lauched on Maori Television. The song acknowledges the Maori culture and…

Maori Haka and Weapons

Maori Haka and Weapons

Watch this video of a passionate Haka inspired by tradition. Produced by Tu Ake, a designer company which combines maori traditions with todays trends to create unique range of…

Maori Culture

Maori Culture

100% Pure New Zealand presents a video about experiencing New Zealand’s indigenous M?ori culture and the variety of tourists who come to Aotearoa to learn and be a part…

JGeeks Grand Final Performance

JGeeks Grand Final Performance

Watch the amazing JGeeks perform their final dance on New Zealand’s Got Talent and summon the all-powerful Taniwha. JGeeks are a Maori comedy music group best known for their…

Te Arohanui Maori Concert Party – 1963

Te Arohanui Maori Concert Party – 1963

Take a look at this amazing footage of the Te Arohanui Maori Concert Party on The Danny Kaye Show shown in 1963. The Danny Kaye Show is an…

How Maui Slowed The Sun

How Maui Slowed The Sun

Tales of Maui have been told by the Maori for thousands of years. Here is an animated version of the beautifully written and illustrated ‘How Maui slowed the Sun’…

Pokarekare Ana in the style of The Modern Maori Quartet

Pokarekare Ana in the style of The Modern Maori Quartet

Take four good looking, hip swaying, suave Maori guys crooning a mix of modern day & classic songs in Te Reo and English and you get: The Modern Maori…

Maori Added to Google Translate

Maori Added to Google Translate

Google has added Maori to the list of languages supported by its online translation service. From today, converting a Maori phrase into English – or vice versa – is as simple as cut-and-pasting it into…

Tales From Te Papa – Carved in Skin

Tales From Te Papa – Carved in Skin

What does the moko represent and does it mean? Mark Kopua explains the significance of facial moko and provides a bit of history about the Maori tradition. Tales from…

Portrait of a Leader

Portrait of a Leader

Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples features in a photographic exhibition featuring portraits of Tangata whenua, including Sharples.  Sharples was stunningly captured on film by British photographer Jimmy Nelson, who was touring the world recording…

Rugby World Cup Haka

Rugby World Cup Haka

Watch this fiercehaka in this promotional video for the Rugby World Cup 2011. The Haka is a traditional Maori dance from New Zealand and is performed by kiwi…

New Zealand: Quest For Kaitiakitanga

New Zealand: Quest For Kaitiakitanga

From the original Maori settlers to present-day tourists, all who travel to New Zealand are awed by its natural beauty. The Maori concept of “Kaitiakitanga” sees humans as earthly…

Dances of Life (Maori excerpt)

Dances of Life (Maori excerpt)

Watch this excerpt from the 55 min documentary Dances of Life, shot for PBS. The documentary looks at the  dances and songs that express Pacific Islanders’ origins, struggles and…

After 150 years Mummified Maori head to Return to New Zealand

After 150 years Mummified Maori head to Return to New Zealand

After 150 years Britain’s Warrington Museum is sending back the mummified head said to be that of a New Zealand Maori chief. The Maori head, or Toi moko, was brought to Britain in the…

Right-Wing Danish MP Labeled ‘Ignorant’ About Maori Culture

Right-Wing Danish MP Labeled ‘Ignorant’ About Maori Culture

Marie Krarup, a right wing Danish MP, offended New Zealand Maori by describing their traditional welcome as ‘uncivilised and grotesque’, says Richard Shears in The Daily Mail. The Danish MP, in New Zealand with…

New Territory

New Territory

New Zealand could adopt Maori names for its two main land masses after the New Zealand Geographic Board found that “North Island” and “South Island” were not official names under legislation, despite their common…

Otara’s Pasifika cultures and Te Aro’s vibe impress

Otara’s Pasifika cultures and Te Aro’s vibe impress

Intrepid Age travel writer Louise Hawson and her daughter, Coco, have just finished a year-long journey around 52 of the world’s suburbs. Auckland’s Otara and Avondale, and Wellington’s Te Aro were on the list,…

Blessed Love

Blessed Love

Nga Kupu Aroha recorded a journey. It may well have been a saga. The quest started…

Once Was Gangman Styles

Once Was Gangman Styles

As I approach my 60th year (next month) I’m increasingly reflecting on times past and what the hell I intend to do with the time…

Honouring the Greats

Honouring the Greats

Prince Charles is greeted with a hongi by Bruce Simpson from the Ngati Ranana London Maori Club during a reception at St James’s Palace for prominent New Zealanders, Australians and Papua New Guineans….

Unexpected Genetic Diversity

Unexpected Genetic Diversity

Genome sequencing of the first-known four New Zealanders has revealed surprising genetic diversity, according to new research by the University of Otago. The complete mitochondrial genomes of the individuals – found buried at Wairau…

Alternative Traditional Remedies

Alternative Traditional Remedies

“With its unique flora and fauna, New Zealand offers a large array of plants found only in that region, many of which became part of the Maori traditional system of medicine known as Rongoa…

Mapping Our Souls

Mapping Our Souls

Titahi Bay-based tattoo artist Mark Kopua, 52, explains the meaning of t? moko in an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allegemeine. “I don’t have to say who I am … you can read it in…

Taia o Moko

Taia o Moko

Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku, author of Mau Moko: The World of Maori Tattoo and essayist and commentator on Maori and feminist issues in New Zealand, memorialized the Maori Queens’s death by taking a traditional facial tattoo….

Diversity Under the Gold Coast Sun

Diversity Under the Gold Coast Sun

Controversial New Zealand reality television show The GC, about young Maori living on Australia’s Gold Coast, has prompted comparisons to America’s Jersey Shore, and heated debate about whether the show was seen as a…

Trojan War Maori Style

Trojan War Maori Style

The director of New Zealand’s version of Troilus and Cressida Rachel House explains how she put Maori culture at the heart of Shakespeare’s Trojan tragedy. Thirty-seven theatre companies from around the world are presenting…

Well-being in Advanced Age

Well-being in Advanced Age

Older Maori who are engaged in cultural practices and connected to their traditional community have a higher quality of life, according to a ground-breaking study by researchers at the University of Auckland called, “Life…

Hohepa’s Fearsome High Notes

Hohepa’s Fearsome High Notes

“Based on a true story spanning nearly 150 years, Hohepa lays bare some of New Zealand’s most painful wounds — and seeks to heal them through music,” Mike Silverman of the Associated Press writes. “The opera,…

Welcome To New Zealand

Welcome To New Zealand

New Zealander Dana Wensley returns home for a short visit from Canada where she claims to feeling like “an immigrant.” “In some ways, anyone who is not part of the indigenous Maori population will…

Memorable Boy Grows On You

Memorable Boy Grows On You

“Next year’s Oscars, if they were to include the just-for-fun idea of outstanding performance by a setting, should have a nominee in Boy,” The New York Times movie critic David DeWitt expounds. “This movie from New Zealand,…