Airana Ngarewa

Contributing writer

Born and raised in Pātea, Airana Ngarewa (Ngāti Ruanui, Ngā Rauru, Ngāruahine) is a novelist. He won the short story and poetry competitions at the Ronald Hugh Morrieson Literary Awards in 2022. His debut novel, THE BONE TREE, is set to be released on August 8th 2023.

Kīngi Tūheitia was presented with a photo of his grandfather, Kīngi Korokī Te Rata Mahuta Tāwhiao Pōtatau Te Wherowhero V, being carried atop Taupiri Maunga, the sacred burial ground of Tainui (Photos: Supplied)

Legacies of peace: Māori king’s Parihaka visit strengthens a special bond

The long tradition of goodwill between the Kīngitanga and Taranaki has its origins in 1836, with the calling of a truce.

By Airana Ngarewa | 22nd November, 2023

Contributing writer

The Māori language petition is presented to parliament (Image: Ministry of Culture and Heritage, URL: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/maori-language-petition-1972)

Making te reo Māori official

This wiki o te reo Māori, Airana Ngarewa looks back on how the revitalisation efforts began.

By Airana Ngarewa | 15th September, 2023

Contributing writer

Taranaki maunga (Image design: Tina Tiller)

The stories behind the traditional place names of Te Papakura o Taranaki

A landmark change to the former Egmont National Park may soon officially restore many original te reo place names.

By Airana Ngarewa | 24th August, 2023

Contributing writer

(Image: Tina Tiller)

From cage fighter to novelist: Why I wrote The Bone Tree

Airanga Ngarewa hated English at school, but later, thanks to the library, he discovered what books could mean to him.

By Airana Ngarewa | 13th August, 2023

Contributing writer

The tekoteko on the wharenui of Pariroa Pā (Photo: Airana Ngarewa; additional design by Tina Tiller)

What wānanga means to Māori

Essentially, it's a method of sharing and acquiring knowledge in a uniquely Māori way.

By Airana Ngarewa | 2nd August, 2023

Contributing writer

Kuranui waka, ready for its helicopter ride (Photo: Te Kaahui o Rauru)

The incredible recovery of a Taranaki waka, brought to light after 150 years

It's thought to have come from a pā on the banks of the Pātea River, whose inhabitants were forced by colonial troops to leave their papakāinga in 1869.

By Airana Ngarewa | 20th June, 2023

Contributing writer

Image: Tina Tiller

Ten tips for your first noho marae

From 'don't forget your earplugs' to 'leave your weariness at the waharoa'.

By Airana Ngarewa | 29th May, 2023

Contributing writer

(Image: Tom Harper/Tina Tiller design)

Putting down the poi: the challenge of digitising Kapa Haka

When life goes completely online, what happens to our performing arts that require face-to-face time?

By Airana Ngarewa | 2nd May, 2023

Contributing writer

Image: Getty/Archi Banal

It’s always an appropriate time for a karakia

Opening a meeting? Building a waka? There are many perfect times to pause and remember the world of the atua.

By Airana Ngarewa | 19th April, 2023

Contributing writer

Image: Bianca Cross

What does the future of Te Matatini look like?

How would you like to see Te Matatini and competitive kapa haka transform over the next 50 years?

By Airana Ngarewa | 28th February, 2023

Contributing writer