Sunday, 10 August 2008

10 Hereturikōkā (August) 2008

"Tēna e tama ki te taea e koe tenei mahi ka taea ano hoki e koe nga mahi o te haahi."
If it is this work you can do well, then you will do well in the Church.
Explanation by Ruia Aperahama

Whether it's a maths exam, a driver's license test or the ultimate - winning a gold medal at the Olympics; what are the rituals or good luck charms you cart around? For some it's holding their pounamu or bone pendant around their neck or taking along an heirloom of their Tipuna. Cultural advisor to the New Zealand Olympic teamAmster Reedy explains to Justine Murray how his role and expertise in Te Ao Māori can inspire the performance of our nations most elite athletes.

In previous games Iwi have leant their support to the athletes by way of gifting Tāonga such as greenstone to rub before the big game or Korowai to wear at the opening ceremony. Amster's role is to offer guidance and support and to help him, he draws on Whakatāuki (proverbs) to inspire. Amster also shares his thoughts about the Haka - will we see it overdone at this years games? Justine Murray talks to Amster at his Wellington home.

Rejection from his church hit Hareruia (Ruia) Aperahama hard when he succumbed to the temptations of a rock and roll lifestyle.

"At the end of the day nobody can make you but yourself, at the end of the day there's only you."

Those are the words the late mother of Hareruia (Ruia) Aperahama said to him in response to his struggle with drug and alcohol addictions.

After what Ruia describes as a 'restrictive upbringing', he left the Pa and headed to Wellington when he was 18 years old. His dad, however, who had different ideas for his son, urged him to become Secretary of the Pa. Ruia decided to defy his dad and instead, went to Wellington.

At the time, music was the escape ticket and he experienced many bumps along the way but came out of it a stronger person. Ruia speaks candidly about his past demons, his love for music and his foresight.

Kupu Hou (new words in Te reo Māori) features on the show, and of course the theme is the Olympic games. Learn the Māori word for your favourite Olympic sport.

Waiata featured on this week's programme includes;

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E Tae Ruia Aperahama
Ka tangi te titi Ruia Aperahama
What's the time Mr Wolf? Ruia Aperahama

Kei a koe Mere Boynton
Haka All Blacks