Māpuna

Whaea Nan Walden Moeung recently won the Prime Minister's Science Teacher prize for 2025. She started her career in fashion design - skills she carried over into her teaching career, now at Wellington East Girls' College. Her classes include 3D printing, laser cutting, and digital modeling with traditional textiles. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The continued theft of pounamu in the South Island has prompted two Ngai Tahu hapu to speak out about the scale of the problem. Earlier this month two people caught trying to illegally export almost 18 kilograms of the precious greenstone were sentenced and fined. Poutini Ngai Tahu Runanga Co-Chairs Francois Tumahai and Paul Madgwick say more staff are needed to stop pounamu theft over such a vast geographic area and it's a 'wakeup' call. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The historic Kororipo Pa in Keriker has returned to Ngāpuhi after almost 190 years. In the 1820s it was a base for the rangatira, Hongi Hika, before his war parties travelled south but also a place of learning and a vital hub for Ngāpuhi chiefs. Kipa Munro is the chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia and Aroha Herewini is one of its board trustees. They talk about the significance of Kororipo and its future. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Witi Ihimaera is a trailblazing award-winning writer and his books have enriched us for the past 50 years. Now in his 80s he's released Te Kaikaukau, The Swimmer: I te Ao o te Reo which explores his recent full immersion in Te Reo Māori. Witi Ihimaera says when he was a student the rangatahi around him 'had his back' while learning the language. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Comedians Kipling DC and Mo Munn will join forces at the NZ International Comedy Festival next month with their show 'Skux Cowboys get lonely sometimes too.' Kipling also is nominated for the Billy T comedy award. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details