Re-Connecting Whanau With Tatai Hono

Re-Connecting Whanau With Tatai Hono

Follow the extraordinary journeys of seven different people as they attempt to reconnect with their Maori origins in a new emotion-packed series of Maori Television’s TATAI HONO - premiering on Monday April 23 at 8.00 PM.

Although they are from different backgrounds, age groups and areas of New Zealand, these four men and three women share one life-changing question - ko wai ahau? Who am I?

TATAI HONO follows them as they find the answer by tracing their whanau, hapu and iwi, and reuniting with their culture, language, spirituality and people. The 13 half-hour episodes of TATAI HONO also give inspirational ideas and practical advice, as well as revealing pitfalls and challenges, to viewers wanting to trace their own origins.

“No two people have the same experience, and we, as the makers of TATAI HONO, have been touched and enriched by documenting these unique journeys,” says producer Libby Hakaraia, of Blue Bach Productions. “The first series of TATAI HONO changed the lives of its participants forever and this new series promises to do the same. It is a privilege to follow them on such an amazing journey back to their pasts so they can look to the future, knowing who they truly are.”

Meet the seven participants in TATAI HONO:

Cathy Livermore: Dancer and teacher Cathy was born and raised in Australia but found herself questioning her identity. Her father’s mother and grandmother were Maori and had left New Zealand in the 1950s for Australia. When her grandmother died, Cathy moved to Porirua and decided it was time to find out why she left Aotearoa by tracing lost whanau. While she discovers painful truths, it’s also a chance to mend bridges left broken by time and distance.

Richard Tamaho: Recently retired from a multi-million dollar business, Auckland-based Richard is 72 and searching for answers. Abandoned by his mother at eight and cut off from his brothers for most of his life, he was raised by an elderly couple in the Hokianga. Now he needs to uncover the truth about his past and follow a path that he knows will be painful, but lead to healing.

Andrew McLaughlin: Young, bright and motivational Andrew, of Wellington, works for the Department of Internal Affairs as a training officer. His ancestor is Maori rugby player Davey Gage and he sets out to find his whanau in Maniapoto. But he discovers he’s not alone in wanting to find out more about Davey.

Keith Murphy: Keith got into trouble as a teen and was put on a plane to Australia by his parents. He returned to Christchurch two years ago for his mother’s tangi and realised he needed to trace his whakapapa. Leaving his family in Australia, Keith and his sister Moe make a first trip to the birthplace of their father - the remote Chathams.

Kim Davis: With her blue eyes and blonde hair, Kim, of Wellington, always felt uncomfortable asking extended family about her Maori origins. All she knew was that her great-grandfather was a famous rugby player called Davey Gage. But she isn’t the only person on TATAI HONO searching for information about this sporting legend.

Stirling Halbert: Raised as a ward of the state, Stirling always knew his names were important keys to his identity. Although he has reconnected with the Stirlings of the East Coast on his mother’s side, he needed to trace his father’s Halbert whakapapa. With the support of his family, he has to find his way to his father’s marae and understand what led him to become cut off from his whanau.

Becky Smith: When Becky’s daughter Stella was born, she felt a strong desire to share her Maori heritage with her as she grew up. While her Samoan partner Mike has strong links to family and language, she was raised by her European mum. Becky, from Auckland, decides to confront her Maori father and discover their shared ancestry.

Take a remarkable journey with seven people as they find out who they really are when TATAI HONO premieres on Maori Television on Monday April 23 at 8.00 PM.

ENDS

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