Sunday, April 5, 2009

Te Karaka - about Ngai Tahu about New Zealand

Te Karaka

I've been surprised by how much I have enjoyed the latest issue of Te Karaka. (Whoops sorry, unfortunately the latest issue is not yet available on the TRONT website)(but on a better note the back issues are available here and that is awesome), And I really have enjoyed each and every article.

Why was I surprised? Well I had a sense of unease about Te Karaka but I couldn't pin it down and then I noticed on the front of the magazine it says, "about Ngai Tahu about New Zealand".

It's about Ngai Tahu yet not necessarily for Ngai Tahu. It's a window on the world of Ngai Tahu for others. (if you aren't sure about that - think about Te Panui Runaka which is for us). And it does an amazingly good job of achieving that goal. What production values, what high quality articles about important subjects, what gorgeous photos - the fact is that this magazine shows us as we want to be seen, and how we are. And Ngai Tahu whanui want to read and see it too. My unease evaporated as soon as I realised the purpose of the magazine and how it achieves that purpose.

We must have this ability to show ourselves as we want to be seen. Te Karaka is one of our leading 'public faces'. I really must commend the quality of the articles, whilst I'm not really a fan of 2 or 3 part-ers, it's got me wanting more. It is a beautiful magazine and it should keep on doing what it is doing well.

I think we have a gap.
The content of Te Karaka is of great interest to Ngai Tahu whanui, it is the only way we get to read, hear about and see some of these activities and certainly the only way, for some, to access the learning contained in the articles. But the magazine is static and allows minimal interaction.

Why don't we put the articles on the TRONT website? Why don't we make a version of Te Karaka as an online magazine where articles can be sourced and research could be done. Where questions and comments can be made.
It's really only a matter of time before Te Karaka has an online version, so why not just get into it.

It would allow deeper information to be available, it would allow interaction of ideas and easy follow up of topics, it would strengthen us. And we would still have the beautiful paper version.

Then Te Panui Runaka could become like a community newspaper, still monthly but with a larger size on newsprint with classified and an online version as well. Ultimately they could all link up into a Ngai Tahu web with virtual galleries and so on. It's not really that difficult.

Imagine the knowledge flow, the strength that will be gained for everyone. We truely will be paddleing in unison and flying along.

We have Te Panui Runaka, we have Te Karaka, and we have the TRONT website. Three great information pathways that need an overall strategy focused on increasing the connection and participation of Ngai Tahu whanui.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tena Koe Marty,

Thanks for the bouquets and bricks. Always good to get feedback.
Your perception of Te Karaka being about Ngai Tahu but not for Ngai Tahu will hopefully start to shift as we unearth Ngai Tahu stories that illustrate the struggles and sucesses of the whanau, and provide an authentic flaxroots voice. We will also continue to alert the whanau to nationwide and regional issues that will impact upon them.
Currently, we are looking at how Te Karaka and Te Panui Runaka will benefit the whanau with an online version, so watch this space.
Ka mau ke te wehi.

Felolini Maria Ifopo
Editor
Te Karaka

Marty Mars said...

Kia ora Felolini,

I love what you and your team are doing with Te Karaka. You are producing a Ngai Tahu magazine that is beautiful, interesting and relevant. Keep up the fantastic mahi - you are heroes of Ngai Tahu to me and many others.

Kia kaha

Anonymous said...

Maria, can you please send me a copy of the latest article that was written by the New Yorker.

Cheers Claire Couch