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The Spinoff
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
‘I'm still searching for Wally': Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham's childhood favourite
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham, author of Whānau: Reo Māori phrases to share with the people you love. The book I wish I'd written I'm very fortunate that I get to work alongside highly proficient speakers of te reo Māori and, while my passion lies in normalising te reo and I believe that Whānau has something to offer speakers at any level, I'd love to write a book that clearly and thoroughly explains some of the most common language errors that people make, from pronunciation to semantics to grammar. I could really geek out in a book like that, complete with footnotes, diagrams and a glossary that's almost as big as the book! Unfortunately, two friends of mine, Dr Hona Black and Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell, beat me to it. I'll always harbour a grudge towards them for that. Everyone should read Everyone should read something from the Kotahi Rau Pukapuka range. I'm a licensed translator and interpreter of te reo Māori, and that collection features the best translations out there. No Māori-language book has gotten my oldest son more excited that Hare Pota me te Whatu Manapou, the translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The book I want to be buried with Such a morbid question deserves a morbid answer. I'd like to be buried in the most eco-friendly manner possible. I'm not sure which book would breakdown the fastest – maybe a newspaper? The first book I remember reading by myself Where's Wally! I know it should probably be more profound, or something that paints me in a more cultured light, but I didn't find my love of reading until I was an adult. Growing up, we had two main options for entertainment: go outside or watch TV. I wasn't read to as a child, but sometimes going outside led me to the library and the Where's Wally collection was so much fun! I'm still searching for Wally in The Land of Wallies. Fiction or nonfiction I've spent a lot of time with my nose buried in Māori-language grammar books, so I'd have to say I read more nonfiction, but I have a well-used Audible subscription and have absorbed a large amount of fiction since I signed up. Even though I was a late bloomer when it came to reading, we've always tried to fill our house with books and foster a love of reading. Because of this, I've managed to do a lot of catching up alongside my kids and my boys and I loved the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games series, the Percy Jackson series, just to name a few. It's a crime against language to My pet peeve is macrons in the wrong place, especially if someone has added one where it doesn't belong! There's a world of difference between tara and tāra, but I'll let you look that one up for yourself. The only graffiti I've ever done was adding a macron or an apostrophe to a sign. Luckily, this serial orthographic corrector is still at large. The book that made me cry My wife says that I only have two emotions: 'grumpy' and 'not-grumpy', so I can't claim a book has literally brought me to tears, but my 8-year-old nephew lives with us and he hasn't had an easy life, so far. We love Dog Man by Dav Pilkey and, I won't spoil it too much, but there's a child (or kitten to be more precise) that isn't able to live with his parents. However, he grows up with a loving whānau and is an awesome, well-rounded kid. It's hard to find a book where the child isn't raised by their biological parents, let alone one where the foster parents are portrayed as a positive, stable part of their lives. Dog Man has so many positive messages for children. We're big fans of the series. So no, I didn't cry, but I did sit non-grumpily and stare out the window for a while, which for me is practically sobbing. The book I never admit I've read Apart from my wife, no one knows about my fleeting obsession with The Walking Dead – the popular TV show that started around 15 years ago. Well, I was so into it, that I also read the comic book series and would wait eagerly every month or so for a new one to come out. I read just over 100 of them, before deciding that I needed to give it up cold turkey. Edit: I just Googled it. They only made 193! It might be time for a relapse. If I could only read three books for the read of my life they would be Ladies and gentlemen, strap yourselves in for possibly the most boring answer to this question that you've ever heard. If there were an apocalypse and I could only read three books for the rest of my life, they would be as follows: A Dictionary of the Māori Language by Herbert A Māori Reference Grammar by Ray Harlow Ngā Pēpeha a ngā Tīpuna by Hirini Moko Mead and Neil Grove These three are the staples in my reading diet, but hey, if the apocalypse comes, I'll be prepped to correct anyone's Māori-language! Encounter with an author A disturbingly large number of my friends are authors, and whenever one of them publishes a book, I make a point of asking them to sign a copy for me. Not one of them has accepted graciously. Now, of course, I have my own book, and I can wholeheartedly say that I have not accepted signing my friends' books graciously either. It's so awkward and I wouldn't wish it on anyone … until one of them publishes again. Then it's back ambushing them with pen and book in hand, for the sake of the collection. What are you reading right now Right now, I'm partway through my sister's Master's thesis. She's amazing – she's working on undoing the narrative of 'The Angry Māori Woman', interviewing Māori women in leadership roles. She's done a great job telling their stories, but it is a Master's thesis and it's slow going. Maybe I need to wait for the audiobook version. Whānau: Reo Māori phrases to share with the people you love by Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham and illustrated by Rehua Wilson ($30, Hachette) is available to purchase from Unity Books.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
New Single And Video Signals Good Time Ahead For Reggae Band NLC
NLC No Limits Crew - Latest News [Page 1] NLC Drops Soulful Te Reo Māori Single For NZ Music Month The Whanganui-based musicians are well known for their fusion of reggae with elements of soul and dub woven with te reo Māori and English. Their latest offering goes one step further; an original song recorded totally in te reo Māori, called Ko au ... More >>
NZ Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Ngāti Kahungunu wants te reo road works signs reinstated
Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber said the decision to not allow the taihoa/haere sign was not about 'rules', but about 'racism'. 'Te reo Māori is not a translation, a novelty or a risk. It is official. It is sacred. It is ours. It belongs on our roads just as it does in our wharenui, classrooms, homes and workplaces,' he said. Barber said he loved seeing the use of te reo in roading signage and said as the sign is only two words surrounded by green or red, most people would understand this as stop or go. 'This is a perfect opportunity to introduce te reo to the masses,' he said. Barber said Ngāti Kahungunu wanted the immediate reinstatement of bilingual signs in te reo Māori and English and a full rewrite of NZTA's rulebook so that 'this never happens again'. 'Te reo Māori is a language of this land. It must be seen, spoken, and protected – not paused, not questioned and not erased." A spokesman from NZTA said in response to Ngāti Kahungunu that it appreciates te reo Māori is an official language of New Zealand and will continue to use it in many parts of its work. But the spokesman said safety on the road was 'non–negotiable" and the use of approved signs was 'critical to ensuring all road users and traffic crews remain safe around work sites'. 'NZTA would welcome the opportunity to discuss the work with Mr Barber and he is welcome to get in contact with regional leaders.' The spokesperson said there were a small number of traffic signs in the Traffic Control Devices Rule conveying a message in te reo only (e.g. Marae, Kōhanga reo, Tangi), but most traffic signs were presented in English. 'The taihoa/haere signs are signalling critical messages for traffic (stop, go, slow) which could impact on safety,' the spokesperson said. 'Careful consideration and testing would be needed if replacing English with te reo Māori or adding te reo Māori to make a sign bilingual.' The Traffic Control Devices Rule is a transport regulation. It is the responsibility of the Minister of Transport and NZTA is not able to change it, NZTA said. It must adhere to the law and only use signs specified in the rule. The spokesman said the new Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 had been finalised and bilingual/te reo Māori traffic signs are not identified as the Government's priority. A representative for the Minister of Transport directed Hawke's Bay Today 'squestions to NZTA.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Ngāti Kahungunu Appalled By Pulling Of Te Reo Signage
Press Release – Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc Ngti Kahungunu demands the immediate reinstatement of bilingual signage and a full rewrite of Waka Kotahis rulebook so that this never happens again. Ngāti Kahungunu is appalled by the Minister of Transport and Waka Kotahi's decision to pull the use of Reo Māori traffic signs and stands unapologetically in defence of te reo Māori 'Taihoa' 'Haere' stop-go signs in Te Matau a Māui. Says Ngāti Kahungunu Chair, Bayden Barber, 'This is not about rules – it's about racism. Te reo Māori is not a translation, a novelty, or a risk. It is official. It is sacred. It is ours. It belongs on our roads just as it does in our wharenui, classrooms, homes, and workplaces.' He adds, 'I loved seeing the use of Te Reo in these contexts. It's only two words surrounded by green or red, which most people understand as go or stop. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce te reo to the masses.' Ngāti Kahungunu has been on a 25-year journey to reclaim and restore the use of te reo amongst its 100,000 people, 96 marae and over 150 hapū with the recent review of its language strategy, Kahungunu kia Eke. Last year the Toitū Te Reo Language Festival in Hastings attracted over 7000 people from all walks of life, Māori and non-Māori alike. Te reo Māori is thriving in parts of the community and Ngāti Kahungunu was to see te reo continue to flourish. Barber again comments, 'As part of our language strategy, Ngāti Kahungunu has worked closely with workplaces and organisations within our rohe to support our language aspirations. Hastings District Council has bilingual signage on all its main roadways. The iwi has a good relationship with Tūpore Infrastructure who have over 90% Māori workforce and commends the use of te reo on its stop-go signs.' Ngāti Kahungunu demands the immediate reinstatement of bilingual signage and a full rewrite of Waka Kotahi's rulebook so that this never happens again. In addition to this Ngāti Kahungunu is ready to meet with Waka Kotahi, the Minister of Transport, and TMNZ. But we do not come to negotiate our identity – we come with clear demands: restore the language, revise the rules, and acknowledge the damage done. Te reo Māori is a language of this land. It must be seen, spoken, and protected – not paused, not questioned and not erased.
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Ngāti Kahungunu Appalled By Pulling Of Te Reo Signage
Press Release – Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc Ngti Kahungunu demands the immediate reinstatement of bilingual signage and a full rewrite of Waka Kotahis rulebook so that this never happens again. Ngāti Kahungunu is appalled by the Minister of Transport and Waka Kotahi's decision to pull the use of Reo Māori traffic signs and stands unapologetically in defence of te reo Māori 'Taihoa' 'Haere' stop-go signs in Te Matau a Māui. Says Ngāti Kahungunu Chair, Bayden Barber, 'This is not about rules – it's about racism. Te reo Māori is not a translation, a novelty, or a risk. It is official. It is sacred. It is ours. It belongs on our roads just as it does in our wharenui, classrooms, homes, and workplaces.' He adds, 'I loved seeing the use of Te Reo in these contexts. It's only two words surrounded by green or red, which most people understand as go or stop. This is a perfect opportunity to introduce te reo to the masses.' Ngāti Kahungunu has been on a 25-year journey to reclaim and restore the use of te reo amongst its 100,000 people, 96 marae and over 150 hapū with the recent review of its language strategy, Kahungunu kia Eke. Last year the Toitū Te Reo Language Festival in Hastings attracted over 7000 people from all walks of life, Māori and non-Māori alike. Te reo Māori is thriving in parts of the community and Ngāti Kahungunu was to see te reo continue to flourish. Barber again comments, 'As part of our language strategy, Ngāti Kahungunu has worked closely with workplaces and organisations within our rohe to support our language aspirations. Hastings District Council has bilingual signage on all its main roadways. The iwi has a good relationship with Tūpore Infrastructure who have over 90% Māori workforce and commends the use of te reo on its stop-go signs.' Ngāti Kahungunu demands the immediate reinstatement of bilingual signage and a full rewrite of Waka Kotahi's rulebook so that this never happens again. In addition to this Ngāti Kahungunu is ready to meet with Waka Kotahi, the Minister of Transport, and TMNZ. But we do not come to negotiate our identity – we come with clear demands: restore the language, revise the rules, and acknowledge the damage done. Te reo Māori is a language of this land. It must be seen, spoken, and protected – not paused, not questioned and not erased.
