Story: Māori radio – reo irirangi

Wiremu Parker

In 1943 Wiremu (Bill) Parker (of Ngāti Porou) became New Zealand's first Māori news broadcaster. In this recording from 1946 he describes the ceremonies in Wellington to welcome the 28th (Māori) Battalion back home after the Second World War. Parker was nationally known and respected for his command of both the Māori and English languages. He remained involved in Māori broadcasting until his death in 1986, while also working as a lecturer in adult education, and a teacher and translator of Māori.

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Auckland University Press
Reference: Patrick Day, The radio years. Auckland: Auckland University Press, 1994, p.317

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (28 (Maori) Battalion/Reference number ID42073)

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How to cite this page:

Piripi Walker, 'Māori radio – reo irirangi - First decades of Māori radio', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/42954/wiremu-parker (accessed 14 May 2024)

Story by Piripi Walker, published 22 Oct 2014