Latest news with #WhakaataMāori
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Māori-Led Kids Series Explores Identity From Above
A new children's series airing this Sunday <<20 July>> is giving tamariki the chance to take the pilot's seat, using drone technology to share stories about their identity and whakapapa from above. Fly My Pepeha is bringing together te reo Māori, drone technology, and tamariki-led storytelling in a fresh, innovative format. Produced by Rotorua-based Natives On Screen, the 10-part, 10-minute digital series features different tamariki in each episode, sharing stories of their whānau, iwi, marae, maunga, awa, and rohe. Fly My Pepeha is the first of its kind globally to use FPV (First Person View) drone technology in a children's show. It is spoken entirely in te reo Māori, with English subtitles. The series is also being translated into Mandarin and Spanish, opening up educational and cultural connection opportunities for reo Māori-speaking rangatahi. Natives On Screen Producer, Lilly Jordan, says the series is a bold step forward in combining indigenous storytelling with cutting-edge technology. 'We're pushing the boundaries of what kids' content can look like, not just in Aotearoa but worldwide. 'Giving tamariki the space to lead, speak in their own reo, and be seen from their perspective, is a powerful shift in how we reflect their lives on-screen.' Advertisement - scroll to continue reading Jordan says it is the first time drone technology and pepeha have been used in this way to help tamariki share their stories with viewers. 'Visually speaking, it's an exciting and accessible format, but more significantly, it is deeply rooted in who we are and our whakapapa.' Shot across locations including Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga Moana, Ōpape, Rotoiti, Morrinsville, and Te Tairāwhiti, the use of FPV drones helps capture the landscape from a tamariki perspective, bringing a unique sense of immersion to each episode. Behind the scenes, the production was led by a Māori creative team and developed in close collaboration with local communities. Jordan says tamariki were involved throughout the process, from voiceovers to on-ground filming, making the series a genuine reflection of their experiences, thoughts, and outlook. 'We wanted to make something that felt empowering for our kids. They're not just on screen, they're the ones who are shaping the story. It's their pepeha, their whenua, their voice.' Fly My Pepeha premieres this Sunday, 21 July on the Māori+ app, and will screen weekly on Whakaata Māori every Monday at 7.50am.
NZ Herald
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
MOHI to perform at Matariki mā Puanga broadcast with new single
Award-winning musician and Aotearoa's neo-soul lover boy MOHI (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāi Te Rangi and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Te Wairoa) is one of a handful of musicians who have the privilege of performing at this year's national multi network broadcast – Matariki mā Puanga – on Friday via Whakaata Māori
RNZ News
19-06-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
Live: Watch Matariki celebrations with Whakaata Māori
The theme for this year's holiday is Matariki mā Puanga - which highlights the star Puanga or Rigel - an important star in the astronomical traditions of many iwi especially in the western half of New Zealand, in areas such as Taranaki, Whanganui and parts of Northland. In late autumn and early winter Puanga can be seen in the eastern night sky. To find Puanga look to the eastern horizon above the three stars of Tautoru or Orion's Belt. The national Matariki ceremony is being hosted this year by Ngāti Rangi, at Tirorangi Marae at the base of Ruapehu. The Māori Queen Te Arikinui Kuini Nga wai hono i te po will be in attendance at Tirorangi alongside other dignitaries including Ministers Paul Goldsmith and Tama Potaka. Whakaata Māori is marking Matariki mā Puanga 2025 with a live broadcast from Tirorangi Marae in Ohakune. Join Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) and Mātai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) for korero, entertainment and official government addresses. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Spinoff
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
What to watch over the long Matariki weekend
The Spinoff writers on what you should pop on your watchlist ahead of the long weekend. Matariki mā Puanga 2025 (Whakaata Māori, TVNZ+) Cosy up with a cuppa and a warm blanket to watch the Matariki celebrations beamed straight into your living room from 5.45am Friday, June 20. The mammoth five hour broadcast begins at dawn with a traditional hautapu ceremony at Tirorangi Marae in Ohakune, with hosts Stacey Morrison (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) and Mātai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri) inviting everyone across Aotearoa to explore the old traditions of Matariki – and create some new ones of their own. / Alex Casey Land of the Long White Cloud (TVNZ+) If you need an injection of Northland sand, surf and sun over the chilly weekend, not to mention some much-needed crack-up yarns, I highly recommend Florian Habicht's 2009 documentary Land of the Long White Cloud. Centred around the annual Snapper Classic fishing contest on Ninety Mile Beach, Habicht meets the competitors vying for the whopper $50,000 prize. But this is so much more than a documentary about a fishing contest – the sometimes staggering and frequently charming musings on love, life and death will have you falling hook, line and sinker. Habicht's equally excellent Kaikohe Demolition is also available on TVNZ+ for Matariki, plus there's an open air screening of James and Isey happening tonight in Kawakawa, and a couple of sessions in select Auckland cinemas over the weekend. / AC Runt (Neon) We stumbled across this charming and quirky Australian film last weekend, and had a delightful time watching it. Based on a book by Craig Silvey, Runt follows the lively adventures of 10-year-old Annie, who adopts a stray dog and enters him in an agility competition in the hope that the prize money will save their farm from drought and ruin. The trouble is, however, that Runt the dog gets stage fright when anyone other than Annie looks at him. With an impressive cast that includes Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney, Jack Thompson, Deborah Mailman and Matt Day, Runt is funny, heart-warming and full of sweet surprises. A wee gem for all the family. / Tara Ward Kōkā (in cinemas) Following a kuia named Hamo (Hinetu Dell), who picks up a wayward 20-something Jo (Darneen Christian) on her journey up the country, Kōkā follows a meditative and intergenerational road trip that traverses everywhere from boarded-up small towns to lush green bush to dripping caves. Director Kath Ahukata-Brown told The Spinoff that the film was 20 years in the making, and is an ode to her land and her people. 'I think the road movie genre shows a deeper connection to the land,' she says. 'I wanted the journey to tap into the collective desire we have in Aotearoa for finding those connections between each other, and protecting our land.' / AC Shrek: Kātahi Te Korokē (TVNZ+) From this week's New to Streaming: 'Shrek has been dubbed into more than 40 languages, but Shrek: Kātahi Te Korokē marks the first time a DreamWorks Animation title has been adapted into an indigenous language. Hot on the heels of several te reo Māori versions of Disney's beloved animated films, the adaptation is helmed by Tainui Stephens and stars the renowned musician and actor Maaka Pohatu as the titular gruff green ogre and Te Puaheiri Snowden as his wisecracking donkey sidekick. Experience the side-splitting, gross-out fairy tale like never before.' / Thomas Giblin Secrets Of The Octopus (Disney+) I loved My Octopus Teacher, but only recently recovered from its predictable but still heartbreaking ending. This series is completely mesmerising – it takes you under the sea all over the world to meet a cast of octopus who are shapeshifters, social networkers and masterminds (the three episode titles). One of the top searches related to the show is 'Is Secrets Of The Octopus real footage?' It is and it's otherworldly, like a high-def trip to outer space but you're in the ocean. The series strikes a nice balance between informative Paul Rudd narration, storytelling by scientists, and just letting you watch these cool creatures doing their thing. I felt compelled to take up snorkelling immediately, and had buzzy dreams afterwards. / Liv Sisson Kaleidoscope (NZ on Screen) If you want to see a few glimpses of good old Aotearoa in the 70s and 80s, look no further than this collection of eccentric little 90-minute documentaries. The title is fitting: all that holds it together is the 'arts' – all of them. There's profiles of artists like Francis Hodgkins and Rita Angus, a behind-the-scenes look of a film about the country's 'most controversial murder' and a handful of episodes about architecture. Other than the peep it gives us into the recent past, Kaleidoscope is charming for the way its subjects are somewhat candid and unsullied by a world where everything is content all the time. / Gabi Lardies Under the Tuscan Sun (Disney+) It's the season of new beginnings. Under the Tuscan Sun is a must watch for anyone going through a breakup or anyone looking to make changes in their life. Other than the fact we all want to vicariously buy a run-down villa in Italy and do it up, the movie is littered with loveable characters and the Gay and Away tour really sends it home. Uplifting. Lovely. Funny. A movie that could be described as a ray of sunshine. / GL Long Bright River (ThreeNow) Everyone is going on about Dept. Q but Long Bright River over on ThreeNow is way better. If you want a crime series written well and without unnecessary subplots and a predictable ending, then go for this excellent (if not pretty grim) series about a cop in Philadelphia who is struggling to cope with her sister's disappearance amid a spate of deaths. Amanda Seyfried is superb as troubled, solo mum who is sure that the deaths have more to do with murder than opioid overdoses. Well written, well acted, and nicely contained in a limited series. / Claire Mabey Code of Silence (TVNZ+) I've been on a crime binge recently (see above) and Code of Silence is one of the best I've watched. It stars Rose Ayling-Ellis who plays a Deaf woman recruited by the police to be a forensic lip reader. Ayling-Ellis (Deaf since birth) is absolutely riveting and the storyline is brilliant. For those after a good, solid crime story you can't get much better than this. / Claire Mabey
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Whakaata Māori Realigns Digital Presence For A New Year And A New Era
This Matariki, Whakaata Māori is set to take another bold step in its digital evolution by realigning its online brand presence under the unified banner of MĀORI+. Whakaata Māori Kaihautū, Shane Taurima, says the strategic shift taking place on 20 June isn't just a name change. 'This is a deliberate step forward in our digital evolution that puts our people and our stories at the centre. 'By uniting our digital platforms under the MĀORI+ banner, we're creating a stronger presence that reflects who we are, where we're going, and how we connect with our audiences at home and around the world.' All Whakaata Māori social media platforms (excluding LinkedIn) will transition to the new name MĀORI+, creating a consistent, discoverable experience that meets the expectations of today's digital-first audiences. Whakaata Māori remains our Pou – the foundation and creative force behind MĀORI+ and Te Ao Māori News. Our commitment to revitalising te reo me ngā tikanga Māori remains, now, and for generations to come. As we celebrate Matariki and look ahead to the new year, this evolution reflects our ongoing commitment – kia mauriora te reo. From 20 June, the start of the Māori new year, Whakaata Māori will realign its programming to better reflect the natural rhythms and cycles of te ao Māori – embedding seasonal shifts and cultural concepts into both content curation and scheduling. What's new in our schedule? Tamariki Time: 6:30–8:30am – Brand-new tamariki content including Mahi Tika Ana!, Binnabannas, Tamariki Haka, Fly My Pepeha, Tākaro Tribe, Tamaiti Tū S3, and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Te Reo Māori Front and Centre: 3–6pm daily – A new Rumaki Reo immersion block, mixing content for fluent tamariki, reo learners, and whānau. Whānau Movie Nights: We've farewelled the Wednesday Movie. Now, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm are whānau movie time! Saturday Sports:
