Matai Smith

I picked up the basics of the language in the third form at high school and that was only to fill in one of the ‘options’ I had for that year. The language sort of struck a certain chord with me and it just grew from there, I continued to study Māori right through school until seventh form.

Then I landed a job at TVNZ the following year and spent three years as a reporter/director/presenter for TV One’s ‘Marae’ programme where I was surrounded by fluent speakers of the reo. They gave me advice and corrected me which was great it was about learning on the job. In 1999 I scored the role of co-presenting a new Māori language children’s programme called ‘Tūmeke’ and then, the following year, we changed our name to ‘Pūkana’. I was a presenter on the show for nine and a half fantastic years before moving onto teach te reo on ‘Good Morning’.

I have also picked up several ‘pearls of wisdom’ from many language experts along the way including Te Haumihiata Mason, Anita Moke, Te Wharehuia Milroy, Pou Te Mara and also Tïmoti Karetu, all of whom I totally admire! I aspire to try and attain the high standards these people live and breathe each day.

I was asked to come down and act as a kaiako or teacher for the Good Morning presenters at the time, Steve Gray, Brendon Pongia and Sarah Bradley.

It was such a successful week that the producer Sally-Anne Kerr asked me to come onto the show each week teaching handy phrases and new words as well as waiata to both the presenters and the loyal Good Morning audience. I actually celebrate five years on the show soon and I have to say it’s been the most amazing experience to be apart of this fantastic show!

Yes, it was always a childhood dream of mine to work in television, although I never envisaged that I would be working in Māori broadcasting. I’d dreamed of doing the news like Judy Bailey or following in the footsteps of Jason Gunn. But in saying that, I’ve no regrets about what I’ve done over the past fifteen years, (Oh man, fifteen years! What an innings! Has it really been that long??)

One of the best things about my job is meeting people. I’ve travelled extensively over the years, both here and abroad, and have met so many fantastic, awesome people. I take my responsibility as a role model for our tamariki very seriously and hope that through my mahi, I am able to inspire kids to stay at Kura and get a good education. It’s great to be able to also encourage them to continue learning the language of their ancestors and most importantly to celebrate being Māori!

Sometimes keeping up with the demands of people wanting me to attend this and that. I used to say ‘yes’ to almost everything but then found I was burning myself out so now I say yes to some appearances but not all. It’s not that I’m being whakahīhī or arrogant, it’s just ensuring that I have some ‘me’ time. But in saying that I try my best to give my free time to charity and to my people whenever I can. It’s awesome to be able to walk and talk with your audience ‘kanohi ki te kanohi’. I love meeting the fans of the various shows I present, they’re so honest and real.

I look up to all sorts of people like the former Māori language commissioner, Tïmoti Karetu, Judy Bailey, Carol Hisrchfeld, Julian Wilcox, Scottie & Stacey Morrison, Hinewehi Mohi, Tahu Pōtiki, Wiremu Te Aho, and Tāwera Nikau… I could go on and on.

But all of these people for me are role models who have achieved great success in life. They are people we can all aspire to and we can try and reach the heights they have achieved in their particular field or career whether on television, on the football field, or fighting for the betterment of our iwi. These people are the true role models of the ever changing, and sometimes challenging, society of today

I would suggest you take te reo lessons perhaps at school. Make some general enquiries through one of your teachers and they should be able to help you out. Or you could tune into ‘Pūkana’ or ‘Kōrero Mai’ on the TVNZ demand website.

You could also tune into ‘Tōku Reo’ which is a Māori language learning series shown weeknights at 7pm on Māori Television.

Or ask around your own whānau, there’s bound to be a cousin or aunty who knows of a cousin of a cousin’s cousin who might be able to hook you up.