Real Talk Kaupapa - Our Why
A place where REAL people are able to share their REAL stories to inspire and empower others.
Aotearoa has some of the highest youth suicide rates in the developed world. 654 people died by suicide in Aotearoa in 2020. Of this, 174 were Māori suicides and a total of 78 deaths were made up made up of rangatahi aged between 10-25 years old.
We know that the Real Talk kaupapa and kōrero is making a positive impact in Aotearoa, and can contribute to improving rangatahi wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of suicide for rangatahi.
We take our audience on a journey, a journey of laughter, a journey of tears, and a journey with absolute passion and purpose.
We create a safe space to speak about what we have experienced in our lives, and that we don’t have to be whakamā, we don’t have to live in silence, we don’t have to hide our secrets anymore.
When we speak, we heal. When we speak, we free ourselves. When we speak, we provide inspiration and hope for others.
The subjects covered in our kōrero include, but are not limited to the subjects listed below:
- Suicide and triggers and coping mechanisms
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Mental Health awareness
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Sexual & physical abuse
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Gangs & domestic violence
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Drug and alcohol addiction
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Teen pregnancy & pregnancy loss
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Death & grief
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Discrimination – racial, gender, sexual orientation
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Relationship breakdowns
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Career & business aspirations
Everything we do is about inspiring, encouraging and motivating our rangatahi and beyond.
Real Talk 2024 Kaikōrero – Speakers
Read about Pania!
Pania Tepaiho-Marsh (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) began hunting for her own mental health, and saw the power of being able to provide as a māmā as a wahine so she created Wāhine Toa Hunting.
Prioritising wāhine in need for her free trips – beneficiaries, solo mums and survivors of trauma. “The women don’t shoot for fun; they shoot to feed their families. We don’t get taught how to change a tyre, we don’t get taught how to use a screwdriver, all these little basic things, and I want to break that dependency”
Pania began her adult life as a beneficiary – entirely dependent on the state and her partner.
Looking back, she recalls her dependence as terrifying, with her mana and self-esteem eroded to nothing. She was unrecognisable; lost, traumatised, and feeling she had no way out.
She is known to be a voice for the voiceless, she is a staunch supporter for kaupapa that she believes in. She is an advocate for our rangatahi in need. She is the aunty that they can call any day, anytime ❤️ We love you Aunty Parns x
Watch the documentary Wāhine Warrior here
Read about Pairama!
Pairama Wright of Ngā Ruahine, Kāti Māmoe, and Te Ati Awa, grew up as an army child all over Aotearoa. Māori culture and language played a prominent role in his family’s life.
He has achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Māori with honours, and a Master of Professional practice – Education.
Pairama has a passion for the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori. “I love teaching because that’s my contribution to the revitalisation of the language. It’s such an amazing journey to go through and it’s amazing to see other people go through the same process I did as a student”
His online profile features content centred around comedy and Māori culture. You’ll often see videos focused on grammatical aspects like the importance of macrons, or language in context. With 250,000 TikTok followers, Pairama often takes the chance to have conversations around indigenous rights, historical influence on the modern day, or even just sit and have a kai and kōrero.
In 2020, Pairama accepted the role of cultural advisor (kaiārahi tikanga) for Musical Theatre New Zealand, where he was eager to promote a shift towards Te Ao Māori and a change of cultural perception. He also introduced a Musical Theatre award that recognises culture, diversity and inclusion.
Pairama’s current mahi is for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, where he facilitates professional learning development in education around challenging inequity, indigenising spaces, and educating Te Reo & mātauranga Māori.
You can find Pairama on Instagram @jamesw916
read about Paris!
Kia ora I’m Paris Brown.
I whakapapa to the 2 Centres of the universe (Whakaki, Pōrangahau) I’m Māori and Transgender.
My passion and my whole being is wanting to provide a safe space/environment for our rainbow whānau to feel nurtured, respected, understood and loved but also a place where they can thrive in life and live a true and authentic life.
Our takatāpui community tends to be misinterpreted, bullied, harassed, shunned by whānau and the list goes on.
The time for Takatāpui to showcase who we really are is now.
Along with Tautoko Takatā Trust, Paris organises the fabulous ‘Twin City Pride Hīkoi’ 🌈 in Hawkes Bay. The kaupapa for this year is ‘Tūturu Tātou’.
-Be Proud, Together.
Paris is currently doing mahi as a Rangatahi Navigator for Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu. Being able to help our Rangatahi navigate this world is a passion of hers and she looks forward to making new connections out in our communities for our babies 👑
Read about Te KuraHuia!
Te KuraHuia is a multidisciplinary artist utilising her traditional Māori Pasifika knowledge & overall creative mediums to produce works of pride, self-love & inspiration for her people.
She is currently studying “Acting” at Toi Whakaari and is working as a Māori/Pasifika Performing arts tutor ensuring the knowledge is being passed down.
We are stoked to have Te KuraHuia as a kaikōrero for Real Talk again this time in Ōtaki!
Te KuraHuia has been collaborating with artists Tiki Taane & Black Comet and will be releasing a new track July 28th.
To keep up to date you can find her on Tik Tok, Facebook & Instagram @bbeezxo
Read about Kiino!
We are so honoured to announce Kiino as our MC for Real Talk 2023!
I’m born and bred in Ngāti Kahungunu (aka) Hawke’s Bay. I started out as the Rangatahi Show announcer on our local iwi radio station Radio Kahungunu in 2013 and as the saying goes, the rest is history.
9 years later and still counting, I Kiino Krystal am still emceeing majority of our local iwi events. My proudest achievement to date as an iwi emcee is that I now share the stage and events with our keen and highly talented rangatahi who want to share in the spotlight too. My whakaaro has always been, there is always room on the stage for those who want it most.
Live emceeing and public speaking have always been a part of my life so naturally Kiino was made for the stage! I have had the honour and privilege to host some of Te Ao Māori national events like The National Waiata Māori Music Awards, Te Matatini – Te Kahu o Te Amorangi, and Te Mana Kura Tahi – Te Haaro o te Kaahu. Now in more recent times, I have been exploring online hosting too with our iwi and local community.
With all the theatrics aside lol, I would also like to share with you that before Kiino Krystal, I was once “Crystal” a young Māori girl working at the freezing works enjoying the good life of hard earned cash, in one hand and out the other. Then the day came when I took ahold of my destiny and have reached this moment in my life. I call this my awakening.
I have woken from within, aware of my intent.
Kiino xxx
Read about Dave!
David took the stage at our Real Talk Mō Ngā Rangatahi event in Waihōpai – Invercargill 2022, sharing his emotional story of escapting the cult of Gloriavale.
He shared with us the heart breaking story of losing his sister Prayer, and how he lives his life with her in his thoughts, always. He talked about how Muay Thai helped him redirect his anger, how breaking in horses helps to balance the soft parts of him and allows him to build trust and to communicate without words.
David is wise beyond his years and is proud to be Māori. We are looking forward to having him on the Real Talk stage again to share his recent life adventures with farming and extending his whānau.
“Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua, ko au. I am the land, the land is me”
Read about Georgia!
Georgia (Kāi Tahu, Ngāpuhi and Samoan descent) was only 12 years old when she started her own business making poi with her whānau in the lounge of their whare. She named her business Pōtiki Poi. Pōtiki is the last name of her ancestor Tahu Pōtiki that lead her people to the South Island. And Pōtiki also means, youngest child. Georgia’s youngest brother was born with Trisomy 21 and she wants to ensure her business will some day support him and others like him in our community.
You can find Georgia on Instragram on @potiki_poi
Read about Ngarino Te Waati!
Ngarino Te Waati is a healer, blending ancient knowledge and modern technology, his mahi is centred around health and wellness and has created Wānanga around the motu to empower others.
“Mā- means to be pure; o is the energy of purity, and -ri means connectedness. So the translation of Māori means pure energy connected. Well-being is important in order for us to nourish and flourish in this world of abundance. To expand the intention of your given purpose, it needs to be relatable to the demographic – in this day and age, everyone is on technology” – Words of the man himself.
You can find Ngarino on Instagram @te_whare_aio
Read about Oceana Olsen!
Oceana Olsen (Ngā Puhi and Te Rarawa) is currently at University of Canterbury studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Graphic Design.
As tangata whaikaha, she hopes to inspire and become a voice for others who are made to feel different in a world that does not support diversity. She hopes to become an advocate to create a positive change for future generations to come.
Oceana has been singing and performing since she was young, and we are honoured to have her sharing waiata and kōrero with us on the Real Talk stage.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind”
You can find Oceana on Instagram @oceana.olsen
Read about Tāne Māhuta Pākeha-Heke!
“HIT ME, BEAT ME, USE ME, ACCUSE ME… FEEL NO GUILT ABOUT THE WAY YOU ABUSE ME”
“WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE TAONGA AND THEY SHOULD BE TREATED THAT WAY. WE ALL DESCEND FROM CHIEFS …. WE ARE ALL TAONGA….
MĀORI IS OUR IDENTITY, OUR PRIDE, OUR STANDING ….NO MORE VIOLENCE”
Words written by Twins Tāne and Aka after they lost their mum under horrific circumstances, when the twins were only 5 years old.
Survivors of family violence Tāne Māhuta and Te Akaraupo Heke Pākeha utilise the stage to sing and share their own story in hui around the country in the hopes of reducing domestic violence.
Once you’ve experienced hearing, seeing and meeting these humble young men, your life will be influenced in some degree.
You can find Tāne on Instagram @_twinharmonymusic
Read about Te Akaraupo Pākeha-Heke!
“HIT ME, BEAT ME, USE ME, ACCUSE ME… FEEL NO GUILT ABOUT THE WAY YOU ABUSE ME”
“WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE TAONGA AND THEY SHOULD BE TREATED THAT WAY. WE ALL DESCEND FROM CHIEFS …. WE ARE ALL TAONGA….
MĀORI IS OUR IDENTITY, OUR PRIDE, OUR STANDING ….NO MORE VIOLENCE”
Words written by Twins Tāne and Aka after they lost their mum under horrific circumstances, when the twins were only 5 years old.
Survivors of family violence Tāne Māhuta and Te Akaraupo Heke Pākeha utilise the stage to sing and share their own story in hui around the country in the hopes of reducing domestic violence.
Once you’ve experienced hearing, seeing and meeting these humble young men, your life will be influenced in some degree.
You can find Aka on Instagram @_twinharmonymusic
Read about Tania Carr!
We introduce our host, Tania Carr, the creator, the absolute heart and soul behind the Real Talk kaupapa.
Tania saw the healing power in sharing stories and created this movement to help others heal through shining light on traumatic experiences and normalising discussing these once ‘tabu’ or whakamā topics.
She believes “When we speak, we heal, when we speak, we free ourselves, when we speak, we help others heal”.
Tania is passionate about using her platform to change the narrative, especially for our rangatahi in Aotearoa.
You can find Tania on Instagram @thecoachinghubnz
Ngā mihi, Tania
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