Stories by Justine Murray

A moment of anxiousness and the abundance of bird life, two similar names but two very different stories. Audio

There's the main trunk line, a thriving timber industry and friendly folk. But is the story behind the name Taumarunui about a shelter or a fallen warrior? Audio

On a return trip from the beach Nukutawhiti's daughter Rewa decided to have a nap, and the name Moerewa was born. Josie Kemp-Baker shares the story about the never-say-die Northland town.

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Have you assumed Paihia was a te reo word? It's actually a mash-up of Māori & English. But who said it and why? Audio

Wānaka is a resort town, an ideal movie location and was the backdrop to this years Matariki Celebrations. The name of this town is inspired by the teachings of the whare wānanga. Audio

RNZ Podcasts Senior Producer Justine Murray (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi) presents her own personal connection to these stories through her tupuna Pāraone Koikoi in the two-part podcast series, NZ…

It was thanks to the marketing genius of a land agent that resulted in a small Kāpiti Coast town being called Raumati, which means summer but does the town live up to that name? Audio

Supporting their families back home in Samoa is the main drive of a group of ten young men. Some of them feature in this episode of Voices, produced by Justine Murray. Audio

The health of the Waihi estuary is in decline, threatening its important role as a mahinga kai, or food-gathering site. Justine Murray meets the team trying to turn things around. Audio

Tauranga-based producer Justine Murray dons some gumboots and meets some teeny-tiny cockles as she joins a team surveying the Waihi estuary. Professor Kura Paul-Burke is weaving mātauranga Māori and… Audio

Rāhui Pōkeka is the original name of Huntly and it's based on the story of a rangatira who placed a rāhui on the rivers in order to replenish the tuna. Audio

Timaru is a small town in South Canterbury which has two lesser-known names - Te Maru and Te Tihi o Maru. Justine Murray finds out more.  Audio

Petone is a seaside town in Lower Hutt known for harbour views and niche shopping. Its proper name 'Pito-One' relates to a special area on the beach. Audio

Lady on the Rock is a bronze statue depicting one of the first women to arrive in the Bay of Plenty. Justine Murray visits WhakatÄne to learn about the town's history - and scores some delicious… Audio

Paeroa is world-famous in Aotearoa for its mineral water, but do you know the Coromandel town's longer name? Audio

A once-thriving sawmilling industry on the outskirts of Tauranga would inspire the naming of the Tauranga suburb 'Tauriko'. Audio

Such was the respect that Māori explorer Ihenga had for his uncle and father-in-law Kahumatamomoe, he named two lakes in his honour. That's just part of the story behind the name Rotorua. Audio

There was a mix-up of words when James Cook came up with the name 'Tolaga' for the small east coast town of Tolaga Bay, but the locals choose to call it Uawa. Audio

Paraparaumu is a beautiful town on the Kāpiti Coast so why would you want to call the town 'Pram'?  Justine Murray finds out the story behind the name. Audio

If you say it out loud, the word Kurow sounds a lot like Te Kohurau. That's because the latter is the original name of a small South Canterbury town named after a tupuna (ancestor). Audio

PhD student Kiamaia Ellis describes crayfish as a vulnerable taonga species. Local iwi in Tauranga believe the crayfish population is decreasing because of urban, industrial and harvesting pressures… Audio

Both Mātauranga Māori and marine science are informing PhD student Kiamaia Ellis’s research into the resilience of baby crayfish.  Audio

From traipsing through the forest with Ropata McGowan to learning about Māori psychology with Linda Nikora, Justine Murray presents highlights from Te Ahi Kaa this year. Audio

What is the future of Māori radio? Kaimahi of Māori radio share their perspectives on digital platforms and social media. Audio

On-air promotions, outside broadcasts and commercial radio ratings, this episode explores Māori radio and the work behind the mic. Audio