Much joy in sharing time and stories

It's important for Maori to get out and vote at this year's local body elections. Photo / Ben Fraser

In the wake of a sad but proud end to the America's Cup, we here at Te Arawa FM have found much joy in sharing our time and community stories with you on air and now we get to continue that in print. Three kaupapa however, stand out among all those we've shared with you over the past week.

The first was a week-long intensive te reo maori course known to many as a kura reo. Eager students from far and wide gathered at Waiariki Institute of Technology's marae, Tangatarua, to learn under the expert tutelage of Dr Wharehuia Milroy, Waihoroi and Rahera Shortland to name a few. We spoke to one of those teachers, local Te Arawa man Anaha Hiini, who said the main focus of the kura reo was the many facets of the language. It aids people to reach a high level of speaking Maori.

For those who are interested, kura reo are held throughout Aotearoa every school holidays. Kia kaha tatou.

The second was a sunny gathering of young and old alike at Apumoana Marae for the Te Arawa Rangatahi Tertiary Day. This day was organised by the major tertiary institutions with local Maori organisations to engage with our rangatahi.

Our very own brekkie host, Manawa Wright, was the master of ceremonies and said the day was a real success. Last but not least, we have conducted many interviews with prospective councillors, covering a wide range of issues from the eastern arterial route through to monorails. However, with the final date for voting upon us, one of the most important issues is to exercise our right to vote. With just under half of our whanau not taking part in the 2010 elections, it is clear that we need to take a more proactive role in the upcoming local body elections to ensure we get the best possible outcome for whanau.

Voting closes at 12pm sharp on October 12. Kia kaha tatou.

Whai muri mai i nga ahuaranga i tatu i Te Kapu o Amerika, koa katoa te ao i to matou ahei ki te papaho i nga kaupapa hapori huhua i runga i a Te Arawa FM, e haere tonu ana ki te ao tuhi. Heoi ano, e toru nga kaupapa matua i te wiki kua hipa atu nei, e tika ana kia whakatairangatia.

Tuatahi, ko te wananga kotahi wiki, hangai ki Te Reo Maori mohiotia ko Te Kura Reo. Mangu pai te marae o Te Kura Tini o Waiariki a Tangatarua, i te taenga atu o nga iwi mai te ti, mai te ta, ki te ako i raro i nga tohunga o Te Reo penei i a Wharehuia Milroy, ratou ko Waihoroi, ko Rahera Shortland ma. I korero matou ki tetahi atu o aua kaiako no konei ano hoki a Anaha Hiini.

Hei tana, ko ta te kura reo ko te whai i to tatou reo me ona ahuatanga katoa kia eke te reo o tena, o tena ki tona kounga. Mena ka hiahia koutou ki te haere, hei nga hararei kura tu ai nga kura reo huri noa i Aotearoa. Kia kaha tatou.

Tuarua, he ra miharo i tatu ai a huru ma me huru pango ki Apumoana Marae mo te Te Arawa Rangatahi Tertiary Day. I whakaritea e nga Wananga me nga Umanga Maori ki te whakapoapoa me te whakawhitiwhiti whakaaro me a tatou rangatahi. I reira a Manawa Wright, hei kaiwhakataki. Hei tana, katahi te ra whakahirahira ko tera. I tika ano hoki te whakaaro ki te whakatu kaupapa penei, hangai ki nga ra kei mua i te rangatahi i te wahi e oreore tonu ana te mauri o nehe.

Hei whakatepe, kua korero matou ki te hunga whai turanga kaunihera mo nga kaupapa huhua kei mua i te aroaro.

Mai i te Eastern arterial route tae atu ki te monorail. Heoi, e tata mai ana te wa e kapi ai nga mahi tuku poti. No reira, me matua whakaaro tatou ki te tuku poti. Kotahi haurua neke noa atu nga whanau kihai i poti i te tau 2010. Na reira me kaha ake tatou ki te kuhu ki tenei kaupapa ki a puta ai he hua mo tatou. Ka kapi te wa tuku poti a te 12 o Oketopa, hei te poututanga o te ra. Kia kaha tatou.

Chey Milne is one part of Te Arawa FM's breakfast crew.