Maori students and staff of the University of Waikato flocked to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor Neil Quigley in their dozens on Tuesday, to protest the restructuring of New Zealand’s first independent school for Maori studies. The remodelling comes only 18 months after the faculty became independent. Both Maori students and their supporters gathered to sing waiata and protest peacefully, presenting their case to the Vice Chancellor with “aroha” and a Mana Maori that they hope will show they want to come to a resolution without any conflict. Truly Harding, a student at the University, spoke to reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira today about what the restructuring means for those students taking Maori and Indigenous studies, and why the issue is so important for Modern Maori to get involved with.
In Hour 1 we welcome Dorian Concept following the release of “The Nature of Imitation” on Brainfeeder last month. Born Oliver Thomas Johnson, the self-taught keyboardist and producer should be no stranger to those in the Brainfeeder orbit. He first caught the attention of the crew in its infancy, when head honcho Flying Lotus discovered Dorian Concept’s MySpace profile and swiftly included a remix in his lauded debut Essential Mix (2008). Dorian Concept went on to tour with FlyLo’s live band, appeared at some of Brainfeeder’s earliest international label nights in 2009 and released a string of celebrated EPs and albums for Kindred Spirits imprint Nod Navigators, Affine and Ninja Tune. His mix includes music from Kwes, Freeform, Wendell Harrison, Venetian Snares, Hudson Mohawke, Yellow Magic Orchestra and a couple of his own unreleased tracks.
In Hour 2 we hand over to Rejoicer who released his debut album on Stones Throw, Energy Dreams on 31st August. Rejoicer, a.k.a. Yuvi Havkin, is a musician and producer who splices together funk, hip-hop, breakbeats and jazz rhythms. He's is well-known for helping cultivate Israel’s modern beat movement, and for fostering a community of international artists who contribute to his Tel-Aviv based label, Raw Tapes. He had this to say about his mix;
"Made this set between studio sessions at Stones Throw in LA. Some new unreleased stuff with Abro, Liquid Saloon and Time Grove next to new and old releases on Raw Tapes “
New Zealand is celebrating the 125th birthday of the Electoral Act which granted all women above the age of 21 in Aotearoa New Zealand the right to vote. Across the country, the suffragettes' achievement are being acknowledged, as well as that of all pioneering wahine from then and now.
But if this piece of legislation made New Zealand the first self-governing country in the world to access universal suffrage, let's not forget the long roads that still awaits women to reach equality.
Lisa talks to Dr Jackie Blue, the Equal Employment Opportunities and Women’s rights Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission. They discuss the landmark legislation, its modern ramifications, but also the challenges ahead.
Last week, when we focused on cultural appropriation for Worry Week, Mary-Margaret wanted to look into the modern uses of kava, and ask an expert about the monetisation of it and the problems that may arise from that. Daniel Hernandez is an anthropology lecturer here at Auckland uni, and a lot of his research has centred around kava. He started by telling Mary-Margaret about the history of the plant.
Nicky Hager has exposed allegations of sexual assault, war crimes in Afghanistan and a homophobic culture within the New Zealand Defence Force. Ben speaks to Organise Aotearoa who are picketing at the Defence Force’s offices today. Olivia speaks to the Auckland Women’s Centre’s Leonie Morris about their forum on Mana Wahine last week. In international news, Justin takes us to South Korea where a former president has just been jailed for accepting bribes from large companies including Samsung. Mary-Margaret speaks to an Auckland University anthropology lecturer about kava, and its place in the modern Pacific world. And finally, for the Green Desk this week, we have a chat with Auckland Council's Chief Sustainability Officer about the city’s Climate Action Plan.
Tuwhenuaroa spoke to Donna Kerridge, a modern day practitioner of the ancient Māori healing methodology of Rongoa Maori about its application in New Zealand today.
Tuwhenuaroa gives a brief history of Te Reo in New Zealand, then discusses with Lillian what Te Wiki O Te Reo Maori means in a modern context, and what the future may hold.
Mobile Phone’s are an essential part of modern life. Everything from interacting with friends, sending money overseas and accessing the vast information vaults of the internet are all accessible through one’s mobile phone. Almost everyone has one, whether they be top of the line or bottom of the bargain barrel. This reliance on our collective connectivity have made the companies who manufacture these products a lot of money. However, like anything, the precious materials used to make a mobile are finite. So what happens if we run out? What is the environmental impact of this mass production? Tuwhenuaroa speaks to RE:Mobile’s Francis Barrett, and started off by asking what RE:Mobile is, and they’re goals are for the future.
The State Sector Act 1988 is set to be repealed and replaced with the new Public Service Act. On Monday State Services Minister Chris Hipkins announced that current law is now unable to support the operation of modern public services. The new Act will provide public services with more flexibility, allow for greater cooperation between agencies and establish principles for an apolitical service. Supporters of the Bill include the Public Service Association, as Union members throughout the public sector have been contributing feedback on certain issues leading up to its introduction. PSA National Secretary Glenn Barclay emphasized the importance of recognising that public servants should have the same rights as the average citizen. William Boyd spoke with Mr Barclay about the introduction and implications of the new bill. Will started off by asking him what new changes are being presented.
On Dear Science with AUT’s Marcus Jones we are talking about modern societies and early humans.
Felix spoke to Mayor Phil Goff about the most recent Auckland Council annual budget and how they plan to cut their emissions by 20%, he also talked about the ongoing bus lockout in and the Prime Minister’s decision to move Auckland’s port.
Lillian visited Te Urewera recently in the leadup to the statutory pardon from the government to Rua Kēnana and his descendants, she spoke to a number of his mokopuna about their thoughts on the pardon and the future.