The team translate and unpack Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke's powerful response in Parliament after being removed from the House.
In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Manaia Ward—translate and unpack Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke's powerful response in Parliament after being removed from the House.
She speaks with clarity and intent, reflecting on her silence, her decision to speak out, and the discomfort that Māori voices still cause in that space.
The panel works through her kōrero line by line, translating the reo, the message, and the challenge it lays down for the future of our whare pāremata.
The team take on one of the most recognisable intros in film history: the opening crawl from Star Wars.
In this episode of Whakamāori, the team take on one of the most recognisable intros in film history: the opening crawl from Star Wars.
Golden text scrolling through space, dramatic music swelling, and a galaxy in chaos—but how do you translate all that into te reo Māori.
The panel—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Piripi Winiata—work through the famous phrases, the sci-fi worldbuilding, and the epic tone that sets the scene for the saga.
The team translate a powerful spoken-word piece by Ngā Hinepūkōrero—a raw, poetic reflection on the history of te reo Māori and the silence forced upon generations of our people.
In this episode of Whakamāori, the team translate a powerful spoken-word piece by Ngā Hinepūkōrero—a raw, poetic reflection on the history of te reo Māori and the silence forced upon generations of our people.
From the schoolyard punishments to the intergenerational echoes of shame and resilience, the piece weaves memory, pain, and pride into every line.
The panel—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anah Hiini, Piripi Gordon, & Atakura Hunia—work carefully through the language, metaphors, and emotion—not just translating words but honouring the history and the truth behind them.
It's a moving reminder of how silence was once survival, and how speaking today is an act of resistance.
The team translate a recipe that's close to many Māori kitchens: how to grow a rēwena bug, bake the bread, and top if off with a simple, hearty beef stew.
In this deliciously down-to-earth episode of Whakamāori, the team roll up their sleeves and translate a recipe that's close to many Māori kitchens: how to grow a rēwena bug, bake the bread, and top if off with a simple, hearty beef stew.
The panel—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—dive into the reo behind the process, building everyday confidence in kupu Māori related to cooking, food prep, and mātauranga kai.
This episode is perfect for anyone wanting to learn how to make rēwena from scratch and deepen their reo in the kitchen while doing it.
In this episode of Whakamāori, the team take on the legendary voice of nature, Sir David Attenborough, and translate some of his most iconic narrations into te reo Māori. From sweeping savannahs to deep-sea wonders, his words have shaped how millions understand the natural world. But how does that same we and precision sound in te reo? The panel—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Piripi Winiata—explore the challenge of translating scientific terms, poetic imagery, and that classic Attenborough tone—while keeping the reo clear, vivid, and alive. Whether you're a nature doco fan or just keen to grow your science and environment vocab in te reo, this one's a journey worth tuning in for.
The team take on the legendary voice of nature, Sir David Attenborough, and translate some of his most iconic narrations into te reo Māori.
From Shakespeare to sitcoms, this week the Whakamāori crew take on the ultimate declaration of love: wedding vows.
From Shakespeare to sitcoms, this week the Whakamāori crew take on the ultimate declaration of love: wedding vows.
Join our trio of translators—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Manaia Ward—as they breathe new life into the heartfelt promises of Monica & Chandler (Friends), the tragic poetry of Romeo and Juliet, and the awkward brilliance of Amy & Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory).
What happens when you blend the language of love with the beauty of te reo Māori?
Whether you're a hopeless romantic, a language nerd, or just here for the Shakespearean drama, this one's for you.
The team translate & unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women.
In this episode of Whakamāori, the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, Piripi Gordon, & Atakura Hunia— translate and unpack one of the most talked-about scenes from the Barbie movie: America Ferrera's monologue on the impossible standards placed on women.
It's a speech that hits hard and hits home about the pressure to be everything but never too much.
The panel explores how this modern feminist kōrero translates into te reo Māori—not just the words but the emotion, the frustration, and the everyday truths behind it.
It's an episode for anyone who's ever felt like they're constantly walking a line—and wants the reo to talk about it.
We dive into the world of sexual & reproductive health, translating & unpacking an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About Ai.
Nau mai, hoki mai, ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori!
We're kicking things off with an episode that dives into the world of sexual and reproductive health, as the team—Chey Milne, Tākuta Anaha Hiini, & Tamati Waaka—translate and unpack an interview with specialist Dr. Simon Snook, originally featured on Let's Talk About Ai.
It's a wide-ranging kōrero that touches on everything from contraception and vasectomies to sexual well-being and the role of holistic care—but the real focus for this episode is the reo. If you've ever wanted to grow your knowledge of kupu Māori related to the body, sex, and reproductive health, this is the perfect place to start.
The panel break down key terms, clarifies meanings, and has open, respectful discussions about how we talk about these things in te reo Māori—with accuracy, comfort, and care.
This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all spaces—the serious, the silly, the everyday, and the unexpected. From pop culture to politics, waiata to whakataukī, Whakamāori shows that the language is everywhere.
Nau mai hoki mai ki te terenga tuatoru o Whakamāori—where the world meets te reo Māori.
This season continues the kaupapa of normalising te reo Māori across all spaces—the serious, the silly, the everyday, and the unexpected. From pop culture to politics, waiata to whakataukī, Whakamāori shows that the language is everywhere.
Returning to lead the kaupapa are Chey Milne and Tākuta Anaha Hiini, joined each week by a rotating guest whose whakamāori skills, reo style, and whakaaro bring fresh energy to every episode. Together, they don't just translate—they unpack meaning, challenge assumptions, and highlight how te reo Māori can express the full range of human experience.
Whether you're fluent, learning, or just listening in, Whakamāori is your invitation to see the world through a Māori lens—one kupu at a time.
In this final episode, the panel are joined by a live audience to translate some of their favourite movie lines.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
If a movie is memorable chances are there is good dialogue that will be quoted for some time.
Like The Terminators 'I'll be back', or Jerry Maguire's 'You had me at hello' or the classic Dirty Dancing line 'Nobody puts baby in a corner!" some are cheesy, and other lines are a sign of the times, in this episode, the eighties and nineties was an era of movie magic.
The live audience also take part in the discussion and even offer up their own favourite movie quotes.
Sit back and grab the popcorn!
What's the secret sauce when it comes to translating a recipe? The panel discover Big Mac Tacos, Yum!
Watch the video version of the episode here.
When a home-made recipe goes viral on social media it makes sense for our panel to figure out what the 'secret sauce' is when it comes to translating recipes.
The panel takes up the mouth watering challenge to translate the Big Mac Taco recipe, you might want to make yourself one after listening to this weeks episode.
As a tip to learners of te reo Māori, there are many ways to say 'I'm full' hear a few in this episode.
Back when TV opening themes just hit differently - our panel go back to the '90s and translate the theme song of one of our favourite soaps.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
Is it you or is it me?
The iconic opening line from the Shortland Street theme, a staple series on television today. Our hosts are experienced in the world of composing songs, translating popular movies like Sponge Bob Tarau Porowhā (Sponge Bob Square Pants) and Kimo Houltham is an actor and presenter, but how will the panel fair in translating this classic gem?
Written by Graham Bollard and performed by Tina Cross. Let the real life drama unfold as the panel dig deep into their pātaka kupu (dictionary) to capture the essence of the song.
In a public address to the government of Samoa Helen Clark apologised to the people for past injustices.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
In 2002, New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark delivered a historic apology during Samoa's 40th anniversary of
independence festivities. The speech recognised the past injustices of the Samoan people including the spread of the influenza virus in 1918, and a non-violent protest in 1929 that resulted in the death of nine people.
Our hosts draw on words and ideas that draw on addressing the past, but moving towards reconciliation.
A memorable phrase, a call to action or a motto. Slogans are everywhere, our panel pick some of their favourites.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
He iti te kupu, he nui te whakaaro. Although there are few words the meaning is much bigger.
The same can be attributed to slogans, many of which are quick snappy words that hook in it's customer. From fast food chains to shoes, property companies to food delivery. It's a marketing tool that entices people to buy into their key messages and their product.
So what slogans will the panel translate in this episode? Check out this week's episode of Whakamāori.
Inspired by the late Moana Jackson the panel translate his article as featured in the book 'Imagining Decolonisation'.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
The late Moana Jackson (1945 - 2022) was a visionary, a Māori rights activist and a lawyer.
The book Imagining Decolonisation published by Bridget Williams Books is a collection of essays that explore this subject in Aotearoa. In Chapter five 'Where to next? Decolonisation and the stories in the land' Jackson writes...
'Colonisation is a process of dispossession and control rather than a historical artefact, and now it takes on new forms."
In this episode the panel unravel the essence of his message, translating key excerpts into a tapestry of Te Reo Māori.
An iconic courtroom scene between two unforgettable characters is translated by the panel complete with American accents.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
In this episode, the panel dust off their acting chops to recreate a dialogue scene between characters Colonel Nathan Jessop played by Jack Nicholson and Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee played by Tom Cruise in the movie A Few Good Men.
The court scene creates this 'buzz' between the two main characters, but how will the hosts tackle this in their translations?
The play was written by Aaron Sorkin and adapted to film by producer Rob Reiner.
It's arguably the most popular book in the world, the panel look to the paipera tapu this week and translate the ten commandments.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
This Māori language week the nation celebrates their 'Māori Moment' where people commit to carrying out tasks in support of te reo Māori. In this episode our panel are joined with a live audience to translate the ten commandments.
How will our panel tackle words like 'Thou Shalt Not'?
Spurred on and encouraged from the largely Māori speaking audience, the trio then discuss what are their own Māori language commandments?
Heartfelt words from a soldier to his mother separated by ten thousand miles, the panel translate a letter written by Ben Rata in 1942.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
There's nothing like being transported to a place in time through movies, literature or in this episode a simple letter from a son to his mother. In an online article 'Ben Rata Writes Home' this week the panelists Kimo, Anaha and Hana unravel the heartfelt story where Ben describes the foreign lands of Baalbek while serving in WW2 in Syria, 1942.
Inspired by Ben's love of family, friends and wonderment of the middle east the hosts transport us to a time of courage and separation. Immerse yourself in this episode as they honor the legacy of service and aroha, reimagining history's words in the warmth of Te Reo Māori.
Inspired by the 'Man in the Arena' written in 1910 the panel translate this speech by the 26th US President Theodore Roosevelt.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
'If he fails, at least fails while daring greatly...
The sentence is featured in the speech 'Man in the Arena' written by Theodore Rosevelt in 1910 has undoubtedly inspired people. This week Leon Blake joins the tepu alongside hosts Kimo Houltham and Anaha Hiini to translate this work and finds there are similarities of whakatauāki (proverbial sayings) that relate to Roosevelt's speech about bravery, courage, grit and determination.
Leon Blake is part of the first intake of Te Panekiretanga, the school of excellence in te reo Māori, he shares helpful tips on how to become an effective translator.
Urban dictionary a collection of slang words, this week the panel translate 'Sassy'.
Inspired by Dr Rangi Mataamua's easy-to-follow Matariki handbook, the panel look at the relation of the stars to the preparation of a hautapu.
Watch the video version of the episode here.
Step into the celestial realm of "Matariki", where the Whakamāori team come together to translate parts of Dr Rangi Mātāmua's 'Matariki Handbook' into te reo Māori. If you are new to the ceremonial aspects of Matariki, or if you want to know more about the stars and the connection to the environment join the panel as they each discuss their their own experiences.
Get a printable version of the translations here.