He Kākano Ahau

For this episode I went to Ōtautahi, Christchurch where we're looking at what it's like to move to the city today. From many perspectives, Christchurch seems a hard place to be Māori.

By Kahu Kutia

What defines the current generation of rangatahi Māori? Some might call us millennials, the first generation to be born fluent in digital technology.

Some might call us the kōhanga and kura kaupapa generation. Many of our parents and kaum...

When I came to the city I needed ground to stand on. That turanga waewae became Tapu Te Ranga Marae, tucked away in Island Bay, Wellington. You would have never seen a marae quite like this.

By Kahu Kutia

I grew up where the tarseal on the road crumbles away into loose rock and dust. On a clear day, if you stand at the opening of the valley, you can follow the hills all the way to Maungapōhatu in the distance. With my awa beside m...

Under the guidance of two uri of Ngāti Whātua, I was able to visualise the land beneath my feet for the first time, and think more about how we keep our history alive in a concrete jungle.

By Kahu Kutia

For episode four of He Kākano Ahau I've come to Tāmaki Makaurau. I've never really liked it here, but I've come anyway to learn more about the history beneath the concrete. Ngarimu Blair is one of the many uri of Ngāt...

I think it's natural that a family, Māori and non-Māori, always has mysteries to uncover, whether or not you grew up knowing your whānau history, knowing your whakapapa or not.

By Kahu Kutia

I'm sitting in a van, on the side of the road. It's a grey day on the edge of rain and we're all wrapped up in beanies, scarves, jackets and thick socks. To my left is a marae, it's windows shut and the paepae empty. To my ...

Thousands of supporters from Aotearoa and the world have been hosted at Ihumātao. For those who protect the land it has become more than a Māori issue.

By Kahu Kutia

It's an interesting time to be indigenous. Or is that what every generation says? Every day when I open my phone I see a new reason to be angry, to be disappointed, to believe that humanity is headed down a slippery path into climate destruction.

Mauna Kea, Djab Wu...

In this podcast series, host Kahu Kutia challenges the assumption that to be urban and Māori means to be disconnected from your culture.

He Kākano Ahau is a podcast written, researched, and hosted by Ngāi Tūhoe writer, activist, and young person Kahu Kutia. Kahu now lives in Wellington after spending the first 18 years of her life in the valleys of Te Urewera.

Over six episodes, Kahu explores stories of Māori in the city, weaving tog...

The second season explores stories that are firmly rooted in our past to magically dream about the futures we want to create for ourselves.

May we boundlessly dream of possibilities beyond our wildest imaginations. May we weave communities of support, compassion and active solidarity. With our history in front of us, and our tūpuna at our shoulders, may we walk into a future that is connected and thriving for us all.

He Kākano Ahau: ...

We're in Te Whanganui-a-Tara to meet three wāhine who work with taonga puoro. We ask why these taonga almost disappeared and what their dreams are for the future of the practice.

In episode one, we're in Te Whanganui-a-Tara to meet three wāhine who work with taonga puoro (traditional Māori musical instruments). We ask why these taonga almost disappeared and what their dreams are for the future of the practice.

Episode one of He ...

We meet three people working in different ways to revive and reclaim mātauranga Māori within a modern context.

In episode two, we meet three people working in different ways to revive and reclaim mātauranga Māori within a modern context.

by Briar Pomana

Taonga tuku iho is an intrinsically Māori approach to life and whakapapa, a process in which through a multitude of mediums can both empower and heal. As Māori, we stand on the shoulde...

In an episode that is close to Kahu's heart, we talk about how mātauranga Māori might help us find solution and understanding on the topic of suicide.

Content warning: Includes discussion of suicide and mental health.

In an episode that is close to Kahu's heart, we talk about how mātauranga Māori might help us find solutions and understanding on suicide prevention, hope and community. Episode three emerges, much as everything do...

We learn about traditional kai harvest practices as Mere Skerrett prepares for the imminent tītī harvest season in in Murihiku Southland. This episode is in Te Reo Māori.

This episode in Te Reo Māori asks how we might uphold Māori traditions for the wellbeing of the people and the environment. We learn about traditional kai harvest practices as Mere Skerrett prepares for the imminent tītī harvest season in Murihiku Southland.

Te Reo ...

In this episode, Kahu engages in wānanga with two kaikōrero advocates who are reimagining justice in Aotearoa - Awatea Mita and Emmy Rakete.

Content warning: Includes discussion of prisons, psychological and physical abuse.

In this episode, Kahu engages in wānanga with two kaikōrero advocates who are reimagining justice in Aotearoa - Awatea Mita and Emmy Rakete. It's a tough listen, especially for whānau Māori, but understanding...

In the second of our reo-based episodes, we talk about the challenges that come with learning te reo as a second language.

In the second of our reo-based episodes, we talk about the challenges that come with learning te reo as a second language.

Te Reo Māori

By Kahu Kutia

Kia wawatatia e tātou te pae tawhiti. Kia tuituia e tātou he ao e ū ana ki te manaakitanga, ki te aroha, ki te kotahitanga. Ka mua, ka muri, ki te ao whai oranga. Ko...

In the final episode of He Kākano Ahau, we explore intergenerational visions, whakapapa, and future aspirations with a māmā-daughter duo, and a Māori futurist.

In the final episode of He Kākano Ahau, we explore intergenerational visions, whakapapa, and future aspirations with a māmā-daughter duo, and a Māori futurist.

By Briar Pomana

Can you imagine how wildly our tīpuna dreamed?

It's evident when we look back and re-examine all t...