Māori Representation in Media: Why it Matters, and What it Should Look Like

Words by Rīpeka Raihania (she/her; Ngāi Tāmanuhiri, Rongomaiwahine, Ngā Puhi, Te Aupōuri)

Media is everywhere nowadays, whether we want to see it or not. It’s wild to fathom just how prevalent media is in the life of a university student, and the forms of media are as boundaryless as the topics and discussions. Or, as Paddy Gower would say, “This is the fuckin’ news!” 

When it comes to Māori representation in the media, I won’t blame you if the narratives of Boy, Once Were Warriors and Police Ten 7 come to mind. All jokes aside, Māori representation in media is essential, but it must be accurate Māori representation. Shows such as The Casketeers clarify misconceptions about our customs and serve to preserve our culture and promote it in a way that is tika. I love how Francis and Kaiora Tipene incorporate and educate a broader audience on Te Reo me ona Tikanga—Māori customary concepts and language—through their funeral business. The Casketeers is an educational tool for those who may not have direct exposure to Māori culture in a unique and entertaining way.

Without a doubt, the media has its depths, especially social platforms. Sometimes the worst of it isn’t the masked ‘keyboard warrior’ strangers, but some of our very own. I came across a video of a tane explaining how tall poppy syndrome is all too prevalent in New Zealand society. For those unfamiliar, tall poppy syndrome is an excuse to criticise success by comparing it to ‘bragging’, which is not to be confused with promoting humility. Sometimes, with such accessible means to connect and influence comes invasive slander. Take it from Shaneel Lal, who, of all people, has experienced the cruelty and rewards of social media: “It is easy to get lost in the hatred [of Twitter] and forget all the positivity in the real world.” We can all resonate with this quote: our perspective is not limited to comment sections and Instagram stories, but action taken from inspiration.

Representation is what makes media influential. Remember when Oriini Kaipara made headlines as the first wahine Māori with a moko kauae to anchor a mainstream news outlet? Maybe your rents remember when Dame Hinewehi Mohi shocked the nation for singing the national anthem in Te Reo at the 1999 World Cup. It’s safe to say many were trying to cut down these tall poppies, but a wero had been laid. The challenge is how we can contribute to a broad goal of social inclusion (or decolonisation) while doing right by our tūpuna, iwi, hapū, and whānau. You could say trailblazers are willing to ‘block out the haters’.

As tangata whenua, we carry the mana of ourselves and others. When our people are portrayed as active participants in contemporary society, it conveys that our voices matter and our contributions are valued. Above all, when you see someone with the same background and appearance as you perfecting their craft and being recognised for it, you, and others, are empowered by it. 

These leaders are physical manifestations of wāwata, showing how magical our people can be. Most of all, they remind us that the very things that may seem boring in our everyday lives were once the dreams of our tūpuna.

Nā reira, tēnā koutou, tēna koutou katoa. And if you’ll excuse me, our people are dreaming of when the Warriors will make a grand final.