Asthma in Aotearoa

Asthma kaupapa: Hinerongonui Kingi of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ is passionate about getting across health messages to tamariki in te reo Māori. She performs a show called Sailor the Puffer Fish which akongo (students) at Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri got to enjoy yesterday. Hinerongonui says it is a privilege and honour to be able to do mahi that incorporates te reo Māori considering how far Aotearoa has come since the language was nearly lost. Pictures by Rebecca Grunwell

Teaching tamariki about asthma and the impacts it has on the tinana (body) is the aim of a bilingual show created by the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

Presenter Hinerongonui Kingi performed the show — Sailor the Puffer Fish — at Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri yesterday.

The show is mostly in te reo Māori with English translations.

In Tairāwhiti, 19.5 percent of children aged two to 14 were medicated for asthma between 2017 and 2020, according to Ministry of Health data.

Hinerongonui performs the show in te reo Māori and English so that the messaging reaches tamariki from all different kura (schools).

“There are not many shows in te reo Māori like this,” she says.

Hinerongonui's first language is te reo Māori. She translated the show into te reo in 2018 and since then it has morphed into a bilingual performance.

Hinerongonui goes to kura that would not otherwise have much interaction with the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ.

“Each time I go somewhere it's a different flavour. It's like whakawhanaungatanga — you're connecting with people from different iwi, hapū, whānau and community.”

She decided to do this mahi so tamariki could have fond memories about the foundation visiting their kura, similar to experiences people have with the Life Education Trust bus.

“I'm a performer through and through. I have been doing performing arts since I was a child.”

This includes 20 shows in te reo Māori in the Bay of Plenty alone.

“It's so humbling to know that you are a part of a bigger kaupapa.”

Hinerongonui says it is a privilege and honour to be able to do mahi that incorporates te reo Māori considering how far Aotearoa has come since the language was nearly lost.

“Coming into the 50th year of the (Maori Language) petition being presented to Parliament, you can see the changes that have happened. It's become more mainstream.

“The foundation are so supportive of doing this. We can work together to support one another to be a part of this kaupapa for the betterment of Aotearoa as a whole.”

Hinerongonui is delighted to be presenting the show during Te Wiki o Te Reo Maori/Maori Language Week.

“Take care of yourself and don't be afraid to speak te reo Māori.”