1. HAWERA HIGH SCHOOL MAORI CLUB: The South Taranaki group of young people, focuses on two of its members. The school’s marae “Kimihia Te Rangimarie” is where members gather for practise. Two differences between the school is their tutor David Gibson who is Pākehā and speaks fluent Māori. He came to the school to teach Māori language and studies and has taken the group for five years. He spends much of his time on the various marae around Hawera and has earned the respect of the Māori community. In doing so, he has learned much about the culture and language that has enabled him to compose his own music and lyrics for the group. The elders and parents of the school are very supportive and have named him Rawiri. David reflects on his early years, his family and gives reasons why he may have become interested in learning the Māori language and culture to the extent that he has.
The group also boasts the presence of a African American exchange student,16 year old Karen Curry from Arizona. Being a part of the group has helped her identify differences in both Māori and Pākehā cultures.
2. PĀTEA: The Aotea Canoe journeyed to Aotearoa under the cloak and protection of their chief Turi. 30 days after battling the elements of Tāwhirimātea, the people arrived at their new home. On arrival they searched for the place Kupe so eloquently sang praises to, a haven he recalled near the mouth of a river, where the soil was rich, black and sweet smelling. Here they lay down their belongings, turned to the heavens and cried “Ka Pātea Tātou”, We are relieved of our burdens. The 1980s presented them with another burden to carry. The freezing works closed in 1982 and many of its people refused to accept the town would die. Adjustments had to be made. John Heremaia, Sid Kahu, Pat Davis, Maui Dalvanius Prime, Norman MacKay, former Mayor of Pātea, give their opinions on how the closure affected the town and its people, giving them no alternative but to broaden their outlook in order to survive.
For the Māori people of Pātea the closure of the works has meant a revitalisation of the culture, a resurgence that probably would never have happened otherwise. “Aku Raukura”, Pātea Maori club’s new song, speaks of a search of identity by young Māori and the struggle they face to survive in today’s world.