Memories are made of this...
MAUMAHARA is a nostalgic bilingual programme for Māori television presented by Ben Tawhiti (Ngāiterangi) which celebrates kaumātua and their golden stories of yesteryear. Threaded by the music of the time, MAUMAHARA explores a special theme in each episode highlighting how things used to be - from food, music and war to urbanisation, politics and health.
Focussing on the 1920s to the early 1950s. MAUMAHARA presents unique stories from 16 kaumātua that have never been told - until now.
Many of us have heard the stories shared by our kaumātua like how they “thawed their bare feet in fresh cow-tiko when walking to school”. In this programme we will hear more of these tales of simple living: the dance, music and fashion crazes of the era; the struggles through the depression years and the war time; the move to the cities and raising their families away from their papakainga.
MAUMAHARA means “remember” in English, a fitting title for these 13 half hour episodes. The stories are complimented by the archival footage and photos and music, recorded by Ben Tawhiti and his band “Ngā Kaumātua”.
As a loving footnote to these memories, a song from our kaumātua entertainer reflecting the time and theme ends the show.
MAUMAHARA is dedicated to our koroua and kuia.
Raukatauri pPoductions.
Ben Tawhiti (Ngāiterangi) - kaikawe Kōrero.
Te Aue Davies (Ngāti Maniapoto) - Kuia.
June Mariu (Te Whānau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Porou) - Kuia.
Mere Postow (Ngāpuhi) - Kuia.
Keita Dawson (Ngāpuhi) - Kuia.
Hapi Potae (Tuwhakairiora, Te Whānau-a-Ruataupare, Ngāti Maniapoto) - Kaumatua.
Arnold Wilson (Te Arawa, Ngāi Tūhoe) - Kaumatua.
Alan Taumata (Ngāti Tūwharetoa) - Kaumatua.
Julie Ranginui (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Hauaroa) - Kuia.