Waatea News Update

News from Waatea 603 AM, Urban Maori radio, first with Maori news

My Photo
Name:
Location: Auckland, New Zealand

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Buy Kiwi Made in the reo

A te reo Maori version of the Buy New Zealand kiwi in a triangle label will make its debut today.

Maori language commissioner Erima Henare says Te Taura Whiri is backing the Business New Zealand initiative because it fits with the theme of this year's Maori language week.

He says te reo needs be seen in a global context.

“The Buy New Zealand campaign is really part of the strategy. It’s an opportunity to further put the language out there and to make people aware that the language is multi-dimensional and not just something that’s reserved for New Zealand and the Maori culture,” Mr Henare says.

Maori consumers are already on to the Buy New Zealand message, because they buy Maori products when they can get them.

MAORI EXPORTERS CRIPPLED BY DOLLAR
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says the high New Zealand dollar is crippling Maori exporters.

Maori in fishing, farming and forestry are feeling the pinch as the kiwi hovers around 80 cents US.

Mr Peters says the government is not doing all it can to lower the dollar and interest rates.

He says exports are vital to the economy.

“Unless someone goes outside the door to make money, and that in our case is offshore to make money, none of us is better off. That’s why exporters are so critical. I’m very proud of the fact there are so many very successful Maori export operations, particularly in fishing, (but they) are practically hanging in there on a skin of nothing at the moment because of where this dollar is,” Mr Peters says.

KAI PROGRAMME COULD GRACE US SCREENS

Maori chef Anne Thorpe is hoping to have her Kaiora series screened on the Food TV Channel in North America.

The Pakiri resident is onto her third season showcasing the food Maori gather from the bush and the sea.

She says her UK based distributor have warmed to the formula, where she cooks sumptuous meals for guests who respond by sharing their musical talents.

Ms Thorpe says 15 countries are showing interest in Kaiora, and her distributor is confident of stitching up a US deal.

“They have agreed to share the distribution rights because this particular distribution company has inroads into the Food Network in the US, and it makes their chances even better for selling the show to other countries,” Ms Thorpe says.

HAKA TEST TODAY

Waatea parliamentary reporter Tina Wickliffe says today will tell if Hone Harawira gets any takers for his haka on the steps of parliament to commemorate Maori language week.

Hai taa mangai i te Whare Paaremata a Tina Wickliffe i tenei ra ka kite me kore te hiahia o Hone Harawira e whakatutuki otiraa, kia tuu ko nga kaitorangapuu Maori ki te haka i nga arapiki o te whare.

COUNCILS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO INTEREST MAORI

A Massey University report is blaming councils for the low level of Maori participation in local government.

Researcher Veronica Tawhai says councils are required to improve the opportunities Maori have to contribute to decision-making processes and to provide relevant information to Maori, but this isn't happening.

She says the widely held assumption that Maori don't participate because they lack knowledge and skills didn't hold up to scrutiny.

“The findings of our research show that Maori have high levels of political knowledge, that most are aware of how to vote, there’s some information that’s needed about voting and about other ways to participate. However, mainly Maori need to know about how local government is relevant to them,” Ms Tawhai says.

Maori never see their councillors in their communities, so they don't believe they understand their needs and aspirations.

DANCE WORK GETS AWARD SUBSIDY

A programme which introduces rangatahi to contemporary dance has been given a $10,000 award.

The dance work Renu O Te Ra: The Edge of the Sun was developed with help from the Public Programmes section of The Edge, the complex which includes the Auckland Town Hall and the Aotea Centre.

The teenage dancers were mentored by dance professionals Ann Dewey, Taane Mete and Taiaroa Royal.

Programme development manager Sally Markham says it's important young Maori see their own culture reflected in performance, especially in works they help to create.

“That gives them a very strong sense of place and their own perception, their own life, as well as them learning all the aesthetic of the particular art for they’re working in. If they’re working with really strong practitioners like Taiaroa Royal and Taane Mete and Ann Dewey, that’s a very strong combination of dancers and choreographers that they're working with,” Ms Markham says.

Renu O Te Ra explored where young people stand in the modern world.

REO CHAMPION CELEBRATES LANGUAGE REVIVAL

Writer and teacher Katerina Mataira says te reo Maori is alive and well despite the fact the world is changing fast.
Ahakoa kai huri te ao hai taa kaihaapai i te reo Maori a Katarina Mataira, kai te ora tonu taua taonga:

Mrs Mataira explains says when the Maori language was likened 30 years ago to a broken waka, she knew that something had to be done to repair it.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home