Stories by Layla Bailey-McDowell
News
'Reclaiming a birthright': Misconceptions about Moko
Over the years, confusion has clouded the understanding of moko. So what is it really about?
Signs of the hīkoi: More than just 'words on cardboard'
The placards seen at the Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti conveyed "huge kōrero with immediacy", expert says: "People know the power of the word."
'Mind-blowing' amounts of stolen pounamu recovered in drug raids
Stolen pounamu ranks as the commodity second most traded for drugs, after cash, according to a hapū.
Rare pounamu to be sold publicly for the first time
The sale marks a "momentous moment" for West Coast hapū Ngāti Māhaki.
Buttabean's kaupapa Māori approach to reducing reoffending
Former heavyweight boxer and founder of Buttabean Motivation (BBM), Dave Letele, is bringing his kaupapa of hope and transformation to young people in custody.
Dame Whina Cooper's legacy celebrated through mokopuna's clothing collection
The collection is intended to reflect Dame Whina's values of kotahitanga, resilience and mana.
'Racism will not ruin our signs': Council condemns ongoing vandalism
The Tasman Region has reaffirmed support for te reo Māori after repeated vandalism of bilingual signs.
Rangatahi campaigns for Tino Rangatiratanga flag emoji
Leah Heremia believes it is a crucial step towards cultural representation online.
Māori lawyer goes viral for educating people on Treaty Principles Bill
Riana Te Ngahue's bite-sized breakdowns of complex Māori issues are educating audiences far beyond Aotearoa.
Moana 2 reo Māori premieres with a powerful message
The cast said the inclusion of te reo Māori in such a beloved Disney film was a powerful step towards preserving language and culture.
To haka, or not to haka? Who has the mana to decide?
The haka continues to make headlines around the world, captivating audiences and drawing both passionate supporters and critics.
In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa.
In photos: Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti so far
From the mist-covered peaks of Te Rerenga Wairua to the plumes of geothermal steam in Rotorua, here are the key moments to date.
Kotahitanga for Te Tiriti: Diverse voices unite against Treaty Principles Bill
Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti stood united to "protect the integrity of Te Tiriti o Waitangi", calling on the coalition government to "kill the bill."
New mural in Ōtautahi pays tribute to Pacific resilience during Dawn Raids
A Christchurch-based Samoan artist is documenting history through art, capturing the "resilience and strength" of Pacific people.
How a young wahine uses te reo Māori to inspire rangatahi to chase their dreams
A young wahine Māori is using the power of her language to inspire rangatahi to chase their dreams and realise that "the world is better with them in it".
Parihaka: Remembering a legacy of peaceful resistance
Today marks 143 years since the invasion of the once-thriving Taranaki settlement led by Māori rangatira, Te Whiti-o-Rongomai and Tohu Kākahi.
A Pākehā-led push for tino rangatiratanga
"The problem's not Māori or Pacific or anything like that. The problem's with Pākehā because we're the ones that are in control."
Tears as 60kg of seized pounamu returned
"Pounamu is part of who we are as Poutini Ngāi Tahu", Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae's chair says of the emotional ceremony
Mike King calls for unity ahead of Gumboot Friday
In the leadup to Gumboot Friday 2025, mental health advocate Mike King calls on everyone to unite and support a "greater cause": the mental well-being of our rangatahi.
'If our rangatahi are failing, we are failing'
An Auckland-based youth homeless collective is calling on the government to make young people a priority.
Alcohol-related suicides higher risk for Māori and Pacific women - study
Researchers are calling for more kaupapa Māori targeted public health interventions following the study's findings.
Hobsons Pledge ad in NZ Herald breached Advertising Standards Code
"The complaints board ruled three claims in the two-page wrap advertisement were materially misleading," the ASA said.
Reggae star 'humbled' by korowai gift and welcome to Aotearoa
Spawnbreezie has described his welcome to Aotearoa as a "humbling" experience, as he was gifted a custom korowai.
'Kai connects people' - Putting Māori cuisine on the map
A wahine Māori is putting a spotlight on traditional Māori kai and hopes to inspire the next generation to "give it a crack".