By Chelsea Boyle
Budding film stars from Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Wairarapa have shone in the 10th annual Someday Challenge, placing in the 20 winners with their short film about Te Reo.
It was the only Wairarapa school to place in the top 20 and take out an individual award — the certificate for Maori Television Whakatipuranga o te whakaata Maori.
The film, called He Kakano, was created by a team of seven pupils — all aged between 10-12.
It aimed to showcase the importance of keeping Te Reo Maori alive.
Former pupil Wake Matthews led the project as part of his teaching degree at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki.
“I’m here to give back,” he said.
“I have a background in film and television.
“I had to teach four curriculum subjects.
“I chose media as one of those subjects.”
They had based the film on the sustainability of the Maori language, he said.
It was completely lost in the Wairarapa, he said.
The school aims to help the language return.
That message was echoed in the video by Matariki Riwai-Couch.
“Paora Potangaroa’s predictions were that the Maori language of the Wairarapa would be completely lost,” she said.
“However, the language will return through the descendants of Maori tribes from other regions.”
Judith Reiri enjoyed making the film and said it was fun and funny.
The children agreed they had learned a lot about filmmaking and acting.
On December 8, the children attended an awards ceremony in Auckland.
Anahera Te Tau said she enjoyed seeing the videos from other schools at the ceremony.
Mr Matthews said they were grateful for their sponsors; Whaiora Medical Centre, Wairarapa Moana Trust, Masterton Trust Lands Trust, and Hauora Runanga o Wairarapa.
