Waka Huia - First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1987

Winner of many awards across the decades, Waka Huia records Māori culture, language and people. This first episode explores the state of te reo Māori in 1987, and includes a gathering of teachers at Tūrangawaewae Marae. Featured is an extensive interview with ex Māori Women's Welfare League President Mira Szászy, and an appearance by James Hēnare. The episode ends with a kapa haka performance by 1986 national champions Te Waka Huia. Tainui Stephens writes here in more detail about this first episode, while producer Whai Ngata details the challenges of persuading people to agree to do interviews for the show.

Mehemea kei te kī tātou he Māori tātou. Kāore tātou e mōhio ki te reo. Ehara kē tātou i te Māori. / If we say that we're Māori, and if we do not know the language: we're no longer Māori.
– James Hēnare