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For generations of Māori sports fans, the sound of sport in te reo Māori has become a familiar and celebrated part of the broadcasting landscape. At the centre of that journey stands Hemana Waaka of Ngāi Tūhoe, widely regarded as the godfather of Māori sports commentary and one of the most influential figures in the modern revitalisation of te reo Māori through sport.
Long before Māori-language sports broadcasting became commonplace, Waaka was breaking new ground behind the microphone. From rugby and rugby league to netball, waka ama and even woodchopping, he became the first person to deliver live sports commentary entirely in te reo Māori, helping establish a new space where sport and language revitalisation could thrive together.
His broadcasting career began during the formative years of iwi radio and later expanded through partnerships with Sky Sports and Māori Television. What started as a bold experiment would become a cultural movement, introducing thousands of listeners and viewers to sport through a Māori lens.
One of Waaka’s most significant contributions was the development of Māori sporting terminology. Faced with the challenge of translating complex sporting concepts into te reo Māori, he worked alongside kaumātua and language experts to create culturally grounded alternatives that made sense to Māori audiences.
Among his most recognised contributions is the use of haika for the rugby position of fullback, reflecting the role as the final line of defence or anchor. Another is kaitīkape for hooker, drawing on imagery of a bird scratching the ground as it searches for food, much like a hooker clawing the ball back in a scrum.
His work extended far beyond individual translations. Waaka effectively wrote the foundation for Māori sports language, developing terminology across multiple sporting codes and ensuring future generations would have a consistent Māori vocabulary to describe modern sport.
In another landmark moment, Waaka sought and received the blessing of respected Māori leader Sir James Henare to use his own Tūhoe dialect while broadcasting. The decision was significant in legitimising regional dialects within national broadcasting and reinforced the idea that te reo Māori could reflect the rich diversity of iwi voices across the country.
Waaka also became a familiar voice in women’s rugby, earning recognition for his long-standing coverage of the Black Ferns and major international tournaments, including Rugby World Cups. His commentary helped bring elite women’s sport to Māori audiences while showcasing the power and beauty of te reo Māori on the world stage.
Today, his work continues through digital platforms, including the launch of the Ipurangi Pāmamao mobile application and online Māori sports dictionary. The resource contains terminology across 12 sporting codes and serves as both a broadcasting tool and an educational resource for kura, teachers, students and sports organisations.
As te reo Māori continues to grow in public life, many credit Hemana Waaka as one of the pioneers who ensured the language would have a place not only in classrooms and marae, but also on rugby fields, netball courts, stadiums and television screens across Aotearoa.
His legacy is not simply one of broadcasting. It is a legacy of language innovation, cultural leadership and a lifelong commitment to ensuring Māori can see, hear and celebrate sport in their own language.
