The origins and meanings of traditional waiata are explored with the return of Māori Television’s MŌTEATEA – premiering on Sunday May 6 at 6.00 PM.

 A fourth series of 13, half-hour episodes looks once again at mōteatea, an ancient form of waiata, which plays a crucial role in keeping oral traditions alive. 

“Mōteatea are crafted works of poetry,” says producer Hinewehi Mohi, of Raukatauri Productions. “Tunes and rhythms are used to assist in committing the stories to memory.  “These traditional waiata are a reflection of their time and context in our past, giving us insight into the minds and lives of our tipuna (ancestors).” Although mōteatea are often created a long time ago, the themes remain the same, says Hinewehi, herself an accomplished and well-known singer. “The human experience of success and failure, loss and discovery, conflict, passion and love all remain the same.”

Mōteatea also play an important role as a rich resource of Māori language and in keeping language and culture alive for future generations. 

MŌTEATEA features performances by hapu and iwi from all over the motu, supported by on-screen graphics of the lyrics. Interviews with waiata experts from each iwi reveal the origins, story and composer of each mōteatea. They also explore the language used in the songs, making MŌTEATEA an essential tool for students of reo Māori. 

This series features mōteatea from Ngati Tuwharetoa, Ngati Ruanui, Ngapuhi, Ngati Rangi, Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Hine, Ngati Wai, Ngati Porou, Ngati Pukenga, Ngati Whatua and Te Aupouri.  

Discover the timeless beauty of an ancient form of waiata in the new series of MŌTEATEA – premiering on Māori Television on Sunday May 6 at 6.00 PM. 

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