Listen Now: 
Download AudioOne of those involved with the start of te reo Māori documentary series Waka Huia says it has created an archive of huge value to the nation.
It’s 35 years since the first programme went to air with interviews with Sir James Henare and Dame Mira Szaszy on the future of the Māori language.
Tainui Stephens, who was the studio director, says most of the crew were
learning on the job, but they knew what they were embarking on was important.
“We’ve always known that to capture these kōrero provides an archive of such value – Henare Tuwhangai, Jim Henare, Api Mahuika, Koro Dewes, Whaia McClutchie, Tawai Moana, all those wonderful people of that era, they are no longer with us. We’ve captured part of who they are, and because it’s in te reo Māori a lot of it’s the essence of who they are,” Mr Stephens says.
RELATED NEWS
