Maranga

In this episode we chat with the bro Stefan about his experiences shifting through te ao Māori and te ao Pakeha spaces.  A self proclaimed father first, husband second and police officer after that, Stefan traces his whakapapa to the Bay of Plenty and chats to us about being a cop in this ever changing environment.  As true as the saying 6 degrees of separation goes - Scott and Stefan actually crossed paths way back in the rā about 15 years ago at Glenfield College. Crossing paths again on Maranga, we're  celebrating yet another one of our positive Māori role models!  Anei tētahi o ētahi rangatira o tatou!

Kia ora e te whanau!  In this ep we test our ability to kōrero solely in te reo Māori about our experience in our extended lockdown in 2021.  With both of us learning our reo as a second language later in life we know we this is a journey that will extend through our lifetime and we're going to make mistakes left, right and centre!  Step back a few years ago and both of us knew next to nothing, but we also know if we don't use it, we lose it.  Nā reira, bear with us as we expose the heck out of ourselves and speak about our whakaaro of our lockdown experiences solely in the reo of the Rangatira. Nau mai te hapa; ma te hapa, ka ako!

If you've listened to our earlier podcasts you'll know this name well.  To define Chels by her job, her title or her achievements would not give nearly enough mana to her. In fact who are we to define her at all?!   While recording this ep Chels was in a full immersion reo course at Te Wananga Takiura, actively involved in her law firm, keeping up with her business up in the far North, just purchasing a property, organising a marriage and somehow still managing to keep fit, happy, healthy and balanced.  We catch up and find out how this epic woman stays on top of everything and how her reo journey is shaping not only her mahi but her identity.  Chelsea Terei - the mana is all yours!

A lot of us would have heard the saying 'Harden up bro', a common throw away comment to make light of a situation or someones emotions and directed mainly towards males. John Kingi, one of the founders of Soften Up Bro plays on the old outdated saying above.  Flipping the antiquated and defunct dialogue on how being tough means being emotionless John and his partner Heemi  have created safe space for Māori tane to embrace their vulnerability and change the narrative of what it is to be a 'strong' male. Whakangāwari ōu taringa - Ko John Kingi, Soften up Bro tēnei

After a wee bit of a hiatus, juggling whanau, study and well... life, we've made it back to continue on with our kaupapa!  In this ep we find our feet over zoom (Locked down again) and give a bit of insight into what brought us back and why we both agree this needs to continue.  We're looking forward to climbing the maunga with you guys again!  Kua hoki mai māua, this is Maranga.

Sports Psychology is a common fixture in modern day sport however having a Māori male working within that space is not.  When some of us hear 'Psychology' we may default to words such as mental illness, shrinks and issues.  While this may be true Jhan fills us in on how sports psychology helps to refine the minds of the modern athlete and help them tap into their inner calm and extra 1%. He also explains his journey that landed him in this space and some of the benefits connecting Māori athletes with Māori thinking.

We're still here and chances are we'll be here for a good while longer!  This is our take on our personal experience of being in Lockdown for the second week.  In Aotearoa we're incredibly privileged to have our borders shut and to be put down into lockdown early preventing a further spread of the Corona virus.  For us this has been an amazing time to be able to watch the taiao replenish, for us to take stock of what's important to us and for our minds to settle. This of course comes from a space where we're privileged to have a safe home and a good support network.  We can't deny that we're incredibly lucky to say this.  In this ep we korero on what it's like for us and also go into what it might be like for others who aren't in the same position as us.

The Corona virus has affected the world in a massive way and as we write this we're still in the midst of it all.  This lockdown is something none of us in Aotearoa have seen within our lifetime and it can be pretty scary but also have some strange positives to it.  Daz and Scott get together over the internet to record a Korero Session on what they've noticed in week 1.  Set aside some time (you're in lockdown - you've probably got a ton of it!) and settle into 'The Korero Session - Lockdown'

DK is the ultimate waterman, not just from the perspective of being a champion surfer but because he is in tune with our waters.  If you're a kid you may have taken surfing lessons with him, if you're a surfer you'll know him as a force to be reckoned with. If you're a Raglan local you've no doubt heard of the Kereopa whanau and if you haven't heard of him, you're about to in a way that not many have.   In this episode we thought we were going to talk about DK's surfing career and accolades but where this interview went was mind blowing and an absolute privilege for us to experience, to the point that we were both speechless at regular intervals.  As always, put some well deserved time aside and sink into the korero with Daniel Kereopa.

It's been a hectic few months for both of us at Maranga, with Daz locking into family life and Scott starting full immersion te reo Maori.  In this episode we fill you in on our recent radio silence,  don't worry - we're still on the waka e te whanau! 

As we see in 2020 we welcome the episode with Hohepa Thompson aka 'The Hori'. Like a lot of us, Hohepa grew up around whanau at home here in Aotearoa and then bailed off overseas in search of new adventures.  It was his calling back home that would make way for a new path, directing his energy towards art that provokes thought, conversation and sometimes controversy when it comes to our Maori culture and how we're perceived.  From Fashion Week to colab's with Tame Iti, he's pushing boundaries that are making an impact. See in the New Year right and take the time to listen to 'The Hori'!

On this episode we go lay down some answers of the questions you've asked us: - Who were our mentors growing up - Which 3 books/ podcasts would we recommend  - What does success look like to us

Tupuria's whanau are well recognised waka paddlers so it was a given that he would end up in the same position.  What he has done with this though is where the magic is, utilising his skill, knowledge and achievement to give back to local communities (especially to rangatahi) by showing them how waka can help them achieve greatness, purpose and potential. For Tupuria, waka is more than a sport, it's a connection back to our roots as sea voyagers.  While it sounds simple in it's form the power this has to connect kids with the past is gold.  Take the time to listen to our brother from Te Tai Tokerau making change via waka ama!

On this episode we go lay down some answers of the questions you've asked us: - How did we meet and how did we realise we had a shared passion for this kaupapa - What are our nerves like sharing ourselves on social media - What 3 power words would we tell our 15 year old selves

On this episode we go lay down some answers of the questions you've asked us: - How do we decide who we korero with on the podcast - How we put the podcast together along with our 'do's and don'ts' - Our biggest learning experiences

Our key take away from our kōrero with Genevieve Mora!

Gen Mora is making change in the mental health space with an initiative she co-founded with her good mate Jazz Thornton named Voices of Hope.  Growing up with mental illness and disorders, being female and also Maori, Gen brings a new energy and face as she leads the charge towards assisting others on their mental health journey through Voices of Hope.  Being recognised in Aotearoa and also abroad by the royal family just goes to show how much impact this initiative is having.  As always, set some time aside and lock into another epic podcast with more of our amazing people!  

Our key take aways from our kōrero with Rush Wepiha!

When you hear 'Hip Hop Culture' it can be easy to default to it's  surface level association with rap, drugs, gangs and political movements.  Like most things 'different' this isn't the case at all and once you dive down into it deeper you get a better understanding about what it's actually all about.  Rush Wepiha uses this culture among other things to connect with rangatahi in a way that modern schools, applications and activities don't.  For over 16 years he has had a passion to help indigenous youth become powerful, confident people - proud to know who they are, where they're from and who they can be.   In this episode we get a walk through of how the brother is making change with kids here in Aotearoa and abroad in Australia.  

In this episode we have a little wananga on Maoridom in 2019 through our eyes.  While we've always been and always will be Maori, the more we have delved into our culture, the more exposed and enlightened we've both become.  This is our view on what we see  happening with our culture in the modern era.  This is The Korero Session!

Our key take aways from our kōrero with Ezekiel Raui!

At the time of recording, Ezekiel Raui is a 22 year old with a maturity level far beyond his years!  Growing up Zeke and his friends were exposed to several youth suicides in their local community.  This was the catalyst which contributed to them making a conscious decision to create change to make sure the past didn't continue to repeat itself in the future. Over the past few years Zeke has been on the grind setting up the initiative Tu Kotahi, he's met the Queen, graduated from University, won countless awards all the while staying incredibly humble. Take the time and get ready to listen to Zeke - a brother creating change!

Our key take aways from our kōrero with the manawahine from Tukau Legacy!

Tukau Legacy and Tukau law are two entities that are entwined in each other and were established by two manawahine - Season and Chelsea. What sits in front of Tukau Legacy/ Law, Season and Chelsea is a kaupapa that this bio won't be able to give justice to, so we'll leave the beautiful and eloquent definition for them to explain in this episode!  What we will say is that there are people that do good for themselves and there are people that do good for their people.  This epic duo definitely fit into the latter! As always - set aside some time to sink into another epic episode - this is Tukau Legacy!

Shannon Thompson, the creator of Out Of Comfort clothing is a Christchurch based designer taking her brand to epic levels.  At only 28 years old she has already travelled through Europe and attended numerous fashion events and has just recently taken her designs global, and she is absolutely killing it. We sit down and kōrero about her upbringing and the things that shaped her path towards being a proud Maori manawahine who is living her dream. Get comfortable and lock into Shannon's episode!

Te Kehukehu Mokoia Ngawhika Patara Butler or as most people know him - Kehu Butler, is a Tauranga Moana local and taking his skills well beyond Aotearoa shores. At the age of 19, Kehu is taking on the big boys of surfing but this was always the goal, he's been killing it in this field since he was a young buck. Growing up immersed in te ao Moari with positive role models like his grandfather (who still surfs with him!) he understands the privilege combining his career, travelling and passion and also the responsibility that comes with it as he fly's the Maori flag proudly abroad. It's epic to see how whangaungatanga has played such a pivotal role in how Kehu see's the world and how that has allowed him to reciprocate. This is Kehu Butler - Grabbing life by the teeth!

After growing up in te ao Pakeha, entering the world of te ao Maori can be quite confronting and scary.  This episode scratches the surface on what Daz and Scott experienced growing up in one world and entering another in later life.   Lots of listeners will have experienced the same thing and may be able to relate quite well to this ep.  At the end of the day though, if you're making changes to discover Maoridom then you're kicking ass! As always, sit down, shut out the distraction and listen in.  This is The Korero Sesson.

In this weeks episode we kōrero with Matua Luke Crawford about his experiences dedicating his life to sharing Maoridom with our people. Whether it was through his time as a police officer, giving rangatahi hope and purpose or connecting New Zealand rugby players back to their roots, Luke has shared valuable knowledge and stories throughout the majority of his life.  It's kaumatua such as this that has kept many of us connected when we may not have had the opportunity to in earlier life.  Pull up a seat and settle in - Luke is taking us on a journey!

Loads of people know Kai as a top MMA fighter, currently sitting at 9th in the world at the Flyweight division of the UFC. Kai is the human equivalent of an iceberg, people see the top performing results on display however what most people don't see is the insane work ethic and tireless dedication that goes on behind the scenes.  A humble Ngāti Kahungunu man taking it to the world!  on this episode we get a special insight into Kai's life. Kai represents not only himself, but his team, his country and his culture. This is the 'Modern Day Maori Warrior' 

When you're dealt a sh#*tty hand it can be really easy to carry on blaming other people, the environment and never reaching your potential or purpose.  Jacinda flips that on it's head and has made the most of what her past experiences have opened her eyes to - the epitome of positivity through adversity.  She has this amazing 'I'll be ok and I've got this' attitude, which has helped shape her current situation and paved the way for a future which allows her to give back to the community on a daily basis. Another epic manawahine sharing her life with all of us!

Raniera straight up advocates living a full life and making the absolute most of what he's been given.  From fitness, self development, helping rangatahi, public speaking and running his own vegan food brand - Tupuanuku, this man is across it all.  What sticks out for us is his positive attitude towards self empowerment and his relentless pursuit to achieve his goals all while staying tika. Put aside everything else and listen in to Raniera Rewiri.   Tihei Mauri Ora!

Aotearoa sees many people suffering with depression, many under the radar and many in silence.  An all too common theme is to have this unrealistic and unfair expectation to 'harden up'. We have an open and honest korero about Scott's experience with depression, where it took him and how he got out. We'd also like to throw a reminder out to everyone that we want to make clear... You've gotta speak and it's ok to feel!  Depression - Haere atu! Whanaungatanga and Tautoko rise up!

A lifestyle blogger, vlogger and someone with massive amounts of passion towards Maori ancestral knowledge, Hana is a downright amazing manawahine! Hana has this special depth about her that you pick up on straight away however her ability to articulate that depth and her knowledge is what makes listening to her such a treat. Tune out the world for a while and open your ears to Hana Tapiata. Tihei Mauri Ora!

This guy hails out of Whakatane with a mind way beyond his age.  Hau has been behind the moko gun since he was 16, guided by his Dad and encouraged by the whanau he has made this one of his main gigs.  Whilst taa moko holds a big part for Hau's life he has so many other passions that he has taken in his stride and is constantly exploring them. Whether it's film making, designing or dealing in self development, this young Maori man wastes no time in making the most of his life. Tihei Mauri Ora!

What would a first podcast be without getting to know who you're listening to?! In this episode Scott and Daz give you a little insight into who they are. Welcome to Maranga!