Season 1, Episode 2
This podcast is bilingual (Te Reo Māori and English)
“The authenticity, or the integrity, of those statements was retained because it was retained within a structure of rhythm, of tune, of collective knowledge. And that’s how we’ve been able to retain our information.” – Dr Ruakere Hond
Dr Ruakere Hond is a longstanding advocate of reo Māori revitalisation and a key supporter of the Parihaka community. He is a member of the Waitangi Tribunal and was instrumental in working to achieve reconciliation between the Parihaka community and the Crown.
In He Reo Tawhito, a conversation about Mōteatea with Dr Ruakere Hond, Ruakere provides special insight into the mōteatea of the Taranaki region of Aotearoa New Zealand, where mōteatea is referred to as 'waiata tawhito'.
Ruakere explains that many mōteatea of the region were composed during periods of intense conflict in the 1800s: the Northern Raids, the Musket Wars, land confiscations, and the events at Parihaka had a tremendous impact on mōteatea, and the waiata composed at the time reflect and document this period of extreme hardship, strife, and disillusionment.
Ruakere describes some of the more common types of mōteatea found in Taranaki, and speaks about the value of mōteatea as a collective expression of a narrative, and as a strategic memory device with which to record and retain history. He also gives his personal thoughts on the new direction for mōteatea, and highlights some of the issues facing mōteatea composition and performance today.
Join our host Crystal Edwards for an illuminating look at mōteatea from a Taranaki perspective in this fascinating bilingual (Te Reo and English) conversation with Dr Ruakere Hond.
Host: Crystal Edwards
Guest: Dr Ruakere Hond
Links & Resources
E kore e pōuri tonu i Waitara
E ngā iwi o te motu nei
E rere rā te motu nei
Production team
Producers: Toni Huata & Roger Smith
Sound Engineer: Phil Brownlee
Research: Dr Te Ahukaramū Charles Royal
Production Assistance: Ngahuia Maniapoto, Kelly Mata, Nina Lesperance, Jonathan Engle, Alpana Chovhan
Marketing: Leoné Venter
Executive Producer: Diana Marsh
Special thanks to
Dr Ruakere Hond and Taranaki whānui for E rere rā te motu nei and Piukara
Dame Hinewehi Mohi, Māori Television and Taranaki whānui for E ngā iwi o te motu nei
The Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound for E kore e pōuri tonu i Waitara performed by Rangimotuhia Kaatene
Thanks to Adrian Wagner and Te Upoko o Te Ika.
Cover Art: Kennedy Kioa Toi Faimanifo of Manatoa Productions
This podcast is supported by funding from Creative New Zealand.
© Copyright Centre for New Zealand Music Trust