Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home

Breanne Peters (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atiawa) was born in Naarm (Melbourne) and didn’t know anything about her Māori heritage until a trip home to Aotearoa a few years ago that changed the course of her life. Now, the 18 year old artist is on a mission to heal intergenerational trauma so that future generations can have access to their language and culture. She is a passionate advocate for rangatahi Māori (young people) and has found community and support for her journey with the Naarm based kapa haka T’HONI. Breanne shares how singing vocals on Mana Takatāpui helped her to put words to what she had been feeling and how Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) has deepened her respect for First Nations people and culture in Australia.

Emma Donovan (Gumbangyirr, Yamatji) grew up singing gospel songs in her Nan and Pop’s band The Donovans. She soon went on to tour the world as one of the youngest members of the legendary Black Arm Band. Emma’s released four albums with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and is currently in the studio making her first solo album. Jen joins Emma and her daughters for an emotional Survival Day at Yabun Festival before heading to La Perouse in Sydney’s south where Emma shares about the lasting influence of Aunty Ruby Hunter on her music and language journey.

Anna Coddington (Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa) was catapulted into the public eye at age 15 when her high school band won a national songwriting competition. Since then she’s released four solo albums, received a degree in socio-linguistics, and has been dedicated to learning Te reo Māori at night classes — all the while raising two young boys. Her album ‘Aho’ (written entirely in the Māori language) recently won Best Te Reo Māori Album at the Māori Music Awards. Jen catches up with Anna at the APRA NZ Te Reo Māori Songwriting Hubs curated by Bic Runga. The story begins with a masterclass in Taonga Pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) from Reti Hedley.

Dr. Lou Bennett (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta) is songwriting royalty. A founding member of both the Black Arm Band and ARIA award winning trio, TIDDAS. Lou has spent her life dedicated to what she describes as ‘Sovereign Language Rematriation’ and her passion is traced back to her love for her people and Country. Lou takes Jen home to Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Victoria’s north west to share the heartbreaking story of the Djaara baby. On the way home they are greeted by an unexpected friend.

Theia (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) has earned a reputation for fearless pop music. Now her Māori language project, Te Kaahu o Rangi [Taite Music Prize] has caught the imagination of new fans worldwide. In this episode, Jen and Theia head out to the Waikato River to trace the origins of Theia’s rich songwriting ancestry, dig into the significance of Pai Mārire, and spend time at Theia’s beloved Taupiri.