These training videos were filmed at Kauhanga Marae, Peria, in the rohe of Ngāti Kahu. These videos are designed to inspire thought about some of the key issues that marae committees have to manage and resolve when live streaming hui on marae. Connectivity, tikanga, kaitiakitanga and data sovereignty are some of the themes that permeate these videos produced by Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori.

Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori is the iwi radio network that politically advocates for the 2 iwi radio member stations spread from Kaitaia to Bluff, promoting te reo Māori me ona tikanga.  Based in rural and city communities, iwi radio provides a window to te ao Māori, connects those who don’t live in their tribal regions to te reo Māori, waiata and history and provides a daily menu of local reo content, interviews, waiata Māori, news and current issues. 

Those connections extend to local marae because many of the hui broadcast live on iwi radio happen at our marae and today ensuring a strong internet connection at the marae venue is at the top of our live broadcast checklist.  Some of our iwi already have wi-fi installed, however, there is still a lack of capacity to troubleshoot connectivity issues and other problems that are generally tikanga related.

With improved digital capability marae will be able to continue streaming marae meetings and events; connect with whanau unable to attend hui and also provide better opportunities for iwi radio to broadcast hui and other events that are marae-based to the world.

Remoteness is often regarded as an indicator of digital exclusion and many marae are remote. When implementing digital inclusion strategies, both supply (infrastructure) and demand (digital literacy levels, environmental, training needs, aging haukāinga marae population and socio-demographics) factors must be considered.

Rather than communicate outwardly with non-Māori audiences, most iwi stations prioritise serving the iwi and hapū they are affiliated with and the region they originate from. Over the last 30 years, each iwi radio station has developed a high level of trust in the communities that they represent. As a result, Te Whakaruruhau is uniquely placed to act as a conduit or provide a portal in order for individual Māori communities to access information and training. 

More than 800 marae throughout Aotearoa are the cultural and tribal business gathering places of the Māori communities in which they exist. 

The purpose of Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori is to encourage the use of te reo rangatiratanga me ngā tikanga Māori. The iwi stations function both as a collective, tasked with the revitalisation of te reo Māori, and individual operations that serve the requirements of their communities, marae, whānau, hapū and iwi.

These videos are humourous while still considering the serious issues that marae committees are often confronted in the context of connectivity. 

Check out Te Mana Raraunga for information about Māori Data Sovereignty: Māori Data Sovereignty Principles

We are grateful to the Kauhanga Marae committee.