Stories about Māori perspectives and innovations were among the most popular on RNZ this year.
Francis and Kaiora Tipene on tikanga and family life
The Casketeers stars share how Māori traditions shape their lives which include parenting five sons, running three businesses and filming a hit TV show.
Francis and Kaiora Tipene Photo: supplied
'Mātauranga Māori is a language of how to understand the world'
Māori astrologer Matua Rereata Makiha is dedicated to protecting ancient traditions.
Rereata Makiha Photo: RNZ/Justine Murray
WATCH - The story of Dam Native's 'Behold my Kool Style'
Back in 1996, New Zealand hip-hop group Dam Native challenged racism against Māori and Pacific peoples with this groundbreaking track.
The essence of Te Ao Māori
Although we say 'kia ora' and come together for pōwhiri, New Zealanders don't always understand the meaning and spirit behind Māori words and traditions, says Māori linguist Keri Opai.
Politicians were welcomed with a pōwhiri at Te Whare Rūnanga on 4 February, 2021. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
How a Liverpudlian discovered his whakapapa
Lewis Contini grew up in England and was 21 when he learned his father was Māori. He tells his story in the TikTok series My Long Lost Māori Dad.
Lewis Contini with his Dad Photo: supplied
WATCH - HAKA haha
Terrible overseas renditions of the haka have begun transforming our proud expression of Māori identity into a viral joke. In this short film, JP asks 'when is it OK to haka?'
LISTEN - Aotearoa On Air: the history of Māori radio
In this four-part series, Justine Murray explores the history of Maori radio, from audio recordings of the Māori Battalion to pioneering Wellington radio station Te Upoko o Te Ika.
Ngā Kaiwhakapumau i te Reo. Nga Kaiwhakapumau i te Reo / Maori Language Board :Photograph of third birthday celebration of Te Upoko o te Ika Radio Station. Ref: PAColl-8124. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Don Roy / National Library
Women at Waitangi
The debate about women speaking on Te Tii Waitangi marae has lasted for years. But powerful women are here to stay and there are signs that times are changing.
Jacinda Ardern and Titewhai Harawira hold hands on the verandah of The Whare Runanga. Photo: RNZ / Sam Rillstone
WATCH - The Barrier Between Us
After years of anguish, the Ngātiwai people who live on Aotea (Great Barrier Island) have received a formal apology from the Crown for using land within its tribal boundary as redress for Treaty settlements with other iwi.
LISTEN - Reimagining justice for Māori
Māori justice advocates Awatea Mita and Emmy Rakete discuss the New Zealand prison system and Tikanga Māori on the award-winning podcast He Kākano Ahau.
Emmy Rakete and Awatea Mita Photo: UGP / Kahu Kutia / Melody Thomas
Dame Cindy Kiro: 'I want people to feel confident to live in a bicultural world'
New Zealand's first female Māori governor-general spoke with Kim Hill about stepping into her new role.
Dame Cindy Kiro Photo: New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General
WATCH - NZ Wars: Stories of Tainui
Mihingaarangi Forbes explores how the New Zealand Wars continue to influence contemporary Aotearoa.
