The host, Mihingarangi Forbes, smiling at the camera.

White text reads, "Mata".

25m

An in-depth podcast where Māori newsmakers and commentators unpack the latest political issues impacting Aotearoa.

Made with the support of NZ On Air & Te Māngai Pāho

28 episodes

Reports 4: Trick or Treaty

The fate of the Treaty of Waitangi is teetering on the brink of a popular vote, as the new coalition government pledges to introduce a Treaty Principles Bill, potentially triggering a referendum.
Season 1/Episode 28
25m

Episode 27

Launched in 2018, the Māori Carbon Collective was promoted as an indigenous approach to carbon farming, enabling iwi to prosper from the Emissions Trading Scheme. Mata investigates concerns around the group and its elusive managing director.
Season 1/Episode 27
41m

Episode 26

Former Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Nanaia Mahuta speaks about the latest in Gaza. Then former Labour MP for Northcote Shanan Halbert and former Minister of Māori Affairs Tau Henare discuss coalition talks and the latest here at home.
Season 1/Episode 26
26m

Episode 25

Alf Filipaina and Kerrin Leoni speak to Mihingarangi about the Auckland Council voting against Māori wards, and commentators Tina Wickliffe and Dr. Lara Greaves discuss the latest in politics.
Season 1/Episode 25
28m

Episode 24

Tau Henare, Morgan Godfery, and a range of politicians join Mihingarangi Forbes to discuss the election results and what the future looks like for Māori.
Season 1/Episode 24
37m

Episode 23

In an extended interview, Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi discusses racism, Te Tiriti, working with National, and his vision for Aotearoa hōu with Mihingarangi Forbes.
Season 1/Episode 23
28m

Episode 22

In an extended interview, National Party candidate Tama Potaka discusses Māori development, co-governance, social housing, and land claims with Mihingarangi Forbes.
Season 1/Episode 22
28m

Episode 21

In an extended interview, ACT Party leader David Seymour discusses whakapapa, te tiriti, co-governance, and his vision for Aotearoa.
Season 1/Episode 21
28m

Reports 3: Ikaroa Rāwhiti

Ikaroa Rāwhiti is set to be one of the most fiercely contested match-ups of the 2023 election, and the electorate's loyalty is about to be tested.
Season 1/Episode 20
28m

Episode 19

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson talks to Mihingarangi about her role as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence. Davidson discusses the Green’s relationship with Labour, tax, Hoki Whenua Mai, climate change and the Kermadecs.
Season 1/Episode 19
28m

Episode 18

In an in-depth interview, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins discusses Labour’s tax policy, Māori housing inequity, the cost of living, and the climate crisis.
Season 1/Episode 18
25m

Episode 17

A kōrero with Ikaroa-Rāwhiti candidates Meka Whaitiri (Te Pāti Māori) and Cushla Tangaere-Manuel (Labour Party).
Season 1/Episode 17
28m

Episode 16

Shane Jones outlines NZ First’s campaign to re enter parliament - their policies and priorities, including their controversial transgender toilet policy. Then we hear from commentators Tau Henare and Bernie O’Donnell.
Season 1/Episode 16
28m

Episode 15

In a special extended interview, Minister for Māori Development, Broadcasting and Media Willie Jackson discusses housing, homelessness, Māori broadcasting and his political future.
Season 1/Episode 15
28m

Episode 14

Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono explains his party's new policy to return land wrongly taken from Māori. Then Mihi talks to Professor Ella Henry & Shane Te Pou about Kiri Allan's resignation from cabinet and her decision not to stand for re-election.
Season 1/Episode 14
28m

Reports 2: Marokopa – Missing Children

In Dec 2021, three siblings vanished with their father from the isolated Waikato town of Marokopa. Their older sister, Jubilee Dawson, speaks for the first time about the toll it has taken on her whānau.
Season 1/Episode 13
27m

Episode 12

National Party's health spokesperson Dr Shane Reti explains why he’ll shut down the Māori Health Authority if National is elected. Mihingarangi also speaks to panelists: AUT Dean of Law, Khylee Quince & Te Pāti Māori candidate Takutai Tarsh Kemp.
Season 1/Episode 12
28m

Episode 11

Children’s Commissioner Judge Frances Eivers speaks about the investigation into Oranga Tamariki then panelists Denise Roche and Tau Henare discuss the health equity assessment tool.
Season 1/Episode 11
28m

Episode 10

Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina speaks to Mihingarangi Forbes about why he opposed the sale of the Auckland International Airport shares and what it means to South Auckland.
Season 1/Episode 10
28m

Episode 9

Former cabinet minister Hekia Parata discusses the Ministerial Inquiry into forestry debris in Te Tai Rāwhiti and Wairoa. Then Mihingarangi Forbes is joined by panellists Dr Lara Grieves and Dr Will Flavell to discuss the latest in politics.
Season 1/Episode 9
28m

Reports 1: Te Kākano - Closed Adoption

60-year-old closed adoptee Jenny Small is looking for her whakapapa, but the search is complex. It involves one of New Zealand’s most notorious psychiatric institutions and a 68-year-old law that cut thousands of Māori off from their identity.
Season 1/Episode 8
28m

Episode 7

Mihingarangi Forbes hosts a panel about Meka Whaitiri's defection from the Labour Party to join Te Pāti Māori. Her guests are Marama Fox, Dover Samuels, Shane Te Pou, and Morgan Godfery.
Season 1/Episode 7
29m

Episode 6

Mihingarangi Forbes talks to Rawiri Wright, tumuaki at Te Rūnanga Nui o ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori, about the Kura Kaupapa Māori claim before the Waitangi Tribunal and panelists Khylee Quince and Bernie O’Donnell talk tax, Mozzies and the race for Tāmaki Makaurau.
Season 1/Episode 6
28m

Episode 5

Far North Mayor Moko Tepania shares his views on Affordable Water Reform, then former Green MP Denise Roche and commentator Shane Te Pou discuss co-governance, crybabies, and Māori candidates.
Season 1/Episode 5
28m

Episode 4

Mihingarangi speaks to the National Party’s new Māori MP Tama Potaka about co-governance and Māori Development. Panelists Dr Lara Greaves & Ngarimu Blair discuss white cis men, free speech, and political lobbying.
Season 1/Episode 4
28m

Episode 3

Mihingarangi speaks to Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson about the state of the planet and the party. Panelists Khylee Quince and Tau Henare share their views on the anti co-governance tour.
Season 1/Episode 3
27m

Episode 2

Rawiri Waititi joins us from Wellington to discuss Te Pāti Māori’s Te Matatini and flood response. Then panelists Shane Te Pou and Jenny Marcroft reflect on Georgina Beyer’s legacy.
Season 1/Episode 2
28m

Episode 1

Labour MP Kiritapu Allan says her constituents on the East Coast depend on forestry for pay packets. Former politician Tau Henare says that’s a signal the government don’t plan to get tough.
Season 1/Episode 1
29m

Trailers & bonus video

Trailer

The latest in politics with a range of Māori commentators and newsmakers.
Season 1/
1m

Season 1 - In partnership with

TVNZ

Season 2 - In partnership with

Newsroom

Made with the support of

Partner Logo for Te Mangai Paho for use on dark background
https://www.tmp.govt.nz

Season 1 - Made possible by the

Public Interest Journalism Fund

Seasons 2 & 3 - Made with the support of

Partner Logo for NZ on Air for use on dark background

More like this

  • Back to Timor

    Back to Timor follows the journey of four Kiwi military veterans who return to East Timor 25 years after serving as peacekeepers there. The big question for them: did they make a difference?
    Back to Timor/Film
    43m

  • Documentary

    After Indira Gandhi's assassination, the 1984 Sikh Massacre unfolded, with thousands of Sikhs violently killed over three days. Many sought asylum. 1984 follows their journey to find home in Aotearoa after enormous tragedy.
    1984/Film
    1h 4m

  • Geoffrey Palmer

    Guyon Espiner talks to five former NZ Prime Ministers, starting with reforming lawmaker Sir Geoffrey Palmer, who became our 33rd PM in 1989.
    The 9th Floor/Episode 1
    60m

  • Documentary

    I Am a Dark River is a playful and experimental documentary focused on the story of New Zealand modernist printer and publisher Bob Lowry, through the eyes of his granddaughter Tess.
    I Am a Dark River/Film
    1h 10m

  • Fly Like a Moa

    Kauri isn't allowed to go rock-climbing with Lani. Kauri meets a moa and learns that everyone has different strengths.
    What Will I Be Today?/Season 1/Episode 1
    5m

  • We Look Down on Them

    Meet Tūī, Pūkeko, Kererū, and Pīwakawaka: four chatty birds who love to people-watch. They can't believe the absurdity of these modern-day humans.
    Bird's Eye View/Episode 1
    5m

  • Metiria Turei

    Did Metiria Turei mean to turn the 2017 election on its head? Earlier that year, the former Green Party co-leader made an admission that would upend their entire campaign.
    Matangireia/Season 1/Episode 1
    45m

  • Whitiki

    A video documentary that tells the stories of three Māori Pioneers who went to battle in WWI, through the eyes of their descendants.
    Whitiki/Film
    52m

  • Episode 1

    We investigate the occupation at Ihumātao from the perspective of the leaders of the campaign to #ProtectIhumātao.
    Ake Ake Ake/Episode 1
    55m

  • Ranginui Walker: Reclaiming Māori Education

    Starting off with a bang, the team dissect Ranginui Walker's chapter of the renowned book Decolonisation in Aotearoa. The team has a go at translating a bit of Reclaiming Māori Education -- check in to hear if it's an A+ pass or not.
    Whakamāori/Season 1/Episode 1
    36m

  • Shareef

    Drugs, lies and regret became a reality for Shareef after an encounter with some local gang affiliates, but growing up in the North has shaped this proud takatāpui into who he is today.
    The Barber Shop/Episode 1
    6m

  • Episode 1

    Clothing expression is important to Wairua. Mia connects with her culture by spending time away. Lavi talks about cultural expectations. Theia feels welcomed by her own and judged by others.
    Duality/Episode 1
    21m

  • Janay Harding

    Janay Harding. "Hollowpoint." Bellator MMA. Gold Coast. Featherweight. 6-7-0. Ranked as the #7 female featherweight in the world. Janay finds her purpose through the sport of MMA.
    The Art of War/Episode 1
    11m

  • Episode 1

    Piripi takes us on a tour of his kingdom, introducing his girlfriend Luxy and showcasing his many talents, which include cleaning the whare and doing the lawns... NOT!
    The Adventures of Piripi Kaiwaru AKA Phillip! /Season 1/Episode 1
    9m

  • The Chief

    In episode one, we first meet the prominent Māori chief Te Whakatōhea Chief Mokomoko who dedicates his life to protecting the land and people of Bay of Plenty's Te Whakatōhea Iwi.
    Stolen Lands: Betrayal of a Chief/Episode 1
    29m

  • The Driving Lesson

    When Trish, a spirited mother, decides to give her son Mana a driving lesson, what was intended to be a simple rite of passage quickly escalates into a chaotic encounter.
    A Place Called Te Awamutu/Episode 1
    5m

  • Tyrell

    Tyrell Taylor found a like-minded community of BMX riders, where rangatahi are given a chance to expand their skill set, be mentored, and be seen as equals. He reminds us not to forget what makes you happy.
    No Limits/Episode 1
    11m

  • IllumiNGĀTI

    Sibling vocalists Raiha, Hōrihi, & Hāne lead IllumiNgāti, a reggae band from Kawakawa covering Dave Para’s "You’re Magic" & debuting their bilingual single, "Illusion."
    The Barber Shop Sessions/Episode 1
    6m

  • Chris Hipkins

    Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins discusses yoga, the impact of all the sausage rolls, and cost of living while boldly managing to bake a lasagne in 75 minutes.
    Grilled with Charlotte Cook/Episode 1
    12m

  • Part 1 (2024)

    Ruamata captures the journey of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruamata's rise to the top of hockey in Aotearoa as they become the first Māori immersion school in a century to compete in the prestigious Rankin Cup.
    Ruamata: It's More Than Hockey/Film
    1h 0m

  • Chelsea Winstanley: Overcoming trauma and coming out on top

    Oscar-nominated film producer Chelsea Winstanley talks to Anika about overcoming trauma, taking risks, and coming out on top.
    It's Personal with Anika Moa/Season 1/Episode 1
    47m

  • Kenneth Roth

    Do Israel’s actions amount to genocide? Kenneth Roth has spent decades documenting human rights violations. He explains how genocide is defined—and whether it’s happening in Gaza. Plus, is Trump's power on the wane?
    30 with Guyon Espiner/Season 3/Episode 13
    32m

  • Māhuhu o te Rangi

    We’ll look back on Māhuhu o te Rangi—Aotearoa’s largest waka taua—its voyages on the Waitematā, and its place within the iwi.
    Te Kawau ki Tai/Episode 1
    14m

  • Kia Tupato (Be Careful)

    With tensions rising between the new government and tangata whenua, Wayne and his traffic-management crew brace for the biggest Waitangi Day celebration in Aotearoa New Zealand's history.
    Hi-Vis/Episode 1
    6m

  • ACT: The Foreign Influences That Have Shaped David Seymour's Political Agenda, and What It Means for Aotearoa

    With ACT’s record 2023 election result and David Seymour’s rise to Deputy Prime Minister, the party is reshaping Aotearoa’s political landscape. But behind its growing power is a network of ideas—some homegrown, some imported—that raise questions about its stance on Te Tiriti and indigenous rights. Mata explores the forces shaping David Seymour’s ideologies, through the eyes of a former party insider.
    MATA Reports/Season 2/Episode 1
    39m

  • Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth

    It was the social movement that changed the country's political landscape. 20 years on, Tāmati Rimene-Sproat retraces the 2004 Foreshore and Seabed march, all the way back to the steps of Parliament.
    Hīkoi – Speaking Our Truth/Film
    59m

  • "Why? Tangi Be Happy" – Eru Kapa-Kingi

    We speak with Eru "Te Kapa-Kingi o te Norta," a legal academic who was instilled by his parents with a political consciousness and critical perspective on Māori existence as tangata whenua
    Hori on a Hīkoi – Ngā Porokāte /Episode 1
    46m

  • Lau Yuet Seen

    It was September 1938 when Lau Yuet Seen received word from her husband to leave Fah Dei for Hong Kong as soon as possible. The Japanese troops were close to landing north of Hong Kong.
    Farewell Guangdong/Episode 1
    22m

  • Overview

    We dive into Te Tiriti o Waitangi—Aotearoa's founding document—and how it's shaped Aotearoa. Kara Rickards sits down with treaty experts, educators, and lawyers to delve deeper into the historical context.
    Treaty Talks/Episode 1
    46m

  • Inspiration to Write

    Nina Mingya Powles (writer & poet) grew up near Katherine Mansfield's Wellington home. KM ‘loomed’ over her childhood. Powles & graphic artist Sarah Laing make Mansfield a contemporary character.
    Shine On Katherine Mansfield/Episode 1
    7m

  • Trailer

    From visionary director Katie Wolfe comes an unflinching documentary of a forgotten history retold from every side.
    The Haka Party Incident/
    2m

Video section home

A half light purple and half yellow background with host, Josh Thomson, in the centre. Behind him are black and white images of six historical figures from various time periods. They have been superimposed so that they appear in a staggered star burst sort of pattern. Yellow text reads, "My Favourite Dead Person".
Charlotte Cook leaning on a bench and smiling. Beside her is a stack of cookbooks and a bowl of tomatoes. Text reads, "Grilled, with Charlotte Cook".
Side profile of a persons face, silhouetted against a setting sun out of frame. Text reads, "Imposter".
Black and white image of a portion of an All Blacks rugby team photo. Men standing with arms folded looking at the camera wearing sports uniforms. Text reads, "All Blacks at War".
Foggy scene with silhouettes of a part of a person. Text reads, "Stolen Lands: Betrayal of a Chief".
In India, a group of people walk down a path in front of a historic building. Above the building in orange reads: "1984"
A podcast cover for "The Aotearoa History Show" features the title written in colorful, chalk-like letters on a blackboard background. The words "THE" and "AOTEAROA" are in light blue, "HISTORY" is in pink, and "SHOW" is in green with green chalk lines radiating outwards.
A man looking into the camera with his mouth slightly open. His left eye is bugged out in a comically over the top way. Text reads, "A Place Called Te Awamutu".
An archival picture of a group of Pacific Islanders posing for a group picture. The text reads "Untold Pacific History"
A person sitting on a stool, they're looking down. The image has been edited so that there's a strong orange toned light covering the image, obscuring the figures face. The text reads, "The Outliers".
Person on purple background resting their head in their hand. Only their head and chest is visible. Purple text along bottom of image reads, "AMPLIFIED".
The back of someone looking up at a big red firework exploding in the night sky. Text reads, "Giants Giants Giants". The last "Giants" fades into the background.
Alice Snedden looking into the camera and holding a megaphone up to her mouth in her left hand. In her right hand she holds up a stack of paper, on the first page is a simple drawing of the beehive with a text bubble that says, "No voting for you!!!". Text reads, "Alice Snedden's Bad News". Both the text and Alice Snedden are on a bright blue background.
A portrait of a child looking into the camera. On their head is a collection of blue and green strips of ribbon that intertwine with their long braided hair. They are wearing a blue shirt, a jacket and a bow tie. Text reads, "Loading Docs". Beside the text is a simple graphic circle meant to look like a roll of film.
A transparent figure of the back of a man, overlayed with another transparent image of the same figure but just his shoulders and back of his head. Text reads, "Duality". it's written in transparent white block letters and yellow cursive overlapped.
A man standing in front of a mural of the Tino Rangatiratanga flag (Māori flag). Text reads, "Hori on a Hīkoi".
Dark purple background with text, "Art Stories in Aotearoa".
A man with their back towards the camera, they're looking on onto an ocean. The image is in grey scale. Text reads, "The Art of War".
The side profile of a man holding a guitar with a microphone on a stand in front of him. Text reads, "Legacy: Katchafire" and has a boarder around the perimeter of the frame.
Text reads, "House Talk" on a white brick wall background.
Bob Lowry, wearing an eyepatch, crown, and shirt with the words "In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is King," holds a finger in the air. The graphic is white and teal with a title to the left of him and curving below which reads: "I Am a Dark River"
The host, Mihingarangi Forbes, smiling at the camera. Text reads, "Mata".
A coastal scene of a land mass with cliffs leading down to a beach and the ocean. Text reads, "My Cyclone Gabrielle, Four Filmmakers Four Views".
Young man with soot on his face looking into the camera, in his left hand he's holding a Patu (weapon). Text reads, "NZ Wars: Stories of Tauranga Moana".