Te Ao Māori
News and perspectives for and about tangata whenua in Aotearoa
Featured stories for Te Ao Māori
'He lived fully. He loved deeply': Tributes for journalist and playwright Aroha Awarau
Awarau's debut play, Luncheon, starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand and directed by Katie Wolfe, won Best Play at the 2014 New Zealand Script Writing Awards.
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Waka Ama pays tribute to one of its pillars at 2026 Nationals
13 Jan 2026Karaitiana Tamatea a longtime supporter of the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karapiro died on Saturday.
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'How do the people break through?' - third of Māori land considered landlocked
12 Jan 2026Landlocked whenua has been identified as one of the biggest challenges to public access in 2025.
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‘The only noise is ourselves’: Inside iwi's two-week Whanganui River journey
9 Jan 2026A Whanganui iwi leader says reserving stretches of the Whanganui River exclusively for the two-week tribal river journey has transformed the experience for…
'He lived fully. He loved deeply': Tributes for journalist and playwright Aroha Awarau
Awarau's debut play, Luncheon, starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand and directed by Katie Wolfe, won Best Play at the 2014 New Zealand Script Writing Awards.
Maori chefs hope to reconnect people with traditional kai
The E Kai Maori partnership has been running three day wananga at different marae around the country for the last three years to revive practical knowledge of foraging and cooking techniques. Maori… Audio
Waka Ama pays tribute to one of its pillars at 2026 Nationals
Karaitiana Tamatea a longtime supporter of the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karapiro died on Saturday.
Introducing: The Negotiators
For many New Zealanders, Treaty settlements are an aspect of our history that is shrouded in mystery and misunderstanding. Take a closer look at the conversation, through the eyes of seven lead… Audio
'How do the people break through?' - third of Māori land considered landlocked
Landlocked whenua has been identified as one of the biggest challenges to public access in 2025.
The Battle of Ruapekapeka Pa remembered in Auckland
Up to a thousand people gathered on a Northland hilltop before dawn yesterday to remember the Battle of Ruapekapeka Pa. Reporter Peter de Graaf. Audio
‘The only noise is ourselves’: Inside iwi's two-week Whanganui River journey
A Whanganui iwi leader says reserving stretches of the Whanganui River exclusively for the two-week tribal river journey has transformed the experience for participants.
Popular Auckland hot springs gets name change
As 2025 ticked over into 2026, Parakai Springs became Kaipātiki Hot Springs, the traditional name for the area.
'Shows just how powerful this sport has become': Biggest Waka Ama Nationals in history to begin
A record number of paddlers will take part in one of the biggest sporting events in Aotearoa.
The hidden river that shapes central Wellington
Most locals may not know the Kumutoto stream is flowing beneath their feet.
Ngā Kaupapa Hirahira o te Tau: A look back at the year that was in Te Ao Māori
RNZ's Te Manu Korihi team look back at the kaupapa and the people that shook Te Ao Māori in 2025.
What was in the email Marlon Williams sent the Treaty Negotiations Minister?
The acclaimed singer-songwriter brought up the 2023 email to Paul Goldsmith during his acceptance speech at this year's Silver Scroll Awards.
'No left bloc without Te Pāti Māori' - Leaders look ahead after turbulent year
In an interview with RNZ, Te Pāti Māori co-leaders say they were "blindsided" at the way things "spiralled out of control" this year.
Study shows experience of Māori grappling with 'te reo trauma'
The new report noted that this can manifest in various ways "including language anxiety and feelings of shame (whakamā) for not being able to speak te reo Māori.
Kerensa Johnston & Jeremy Banks reflect on 180 year battle
This week a deal was signed at Parliament between Maori and the Crown for the return of more than 3000 hectares of land in Nelson, Tasman and Golden Bay. Kerensa Johnston and Jeremy Banks were part of… Audio
'Devastating in all ways': Tokerau Beach sand dunes destroyed by vehicles
Thrill-seekers causing significant damage to dunes on the Far North beach have forced the installation of temporary fences and blockage of access points. Audio
Maipi-Clarke outranks her Te Pāti Māori elders in new leadership poll
The poll of Māori voters put Parliament's youngest MP at the top of the list for favoured leaders of Te Pāti Māori.
Te Pāti Māori: From Comeback to Crisis
MATA Reports examines the crisis within Te Pāti Māori as an exclusive poll of Māori voters reveals the impact of its support. Audio
Rangatira Marae holds burial ceremony for taonga lost to Cyclone Gabrielle
Rangatira Marae was demolished this year after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated it in 2023.
New Zealand's only Māori visual arts degree celebrates 30 years of arts education
The indigenous-led programme Toioho ki Āpiti is based at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University.
