Te Wānanga o Aotearoa has launched Taringa, a bilingual podcast aimed at anyone wanting a relaxed and fun introduction to te reo or tikanga Māori.

Taringa, which is available on iTunes, is an internally-produced bilingual podcast that will be released weekly.

Tariao Te Anga and Poutiaki Reo/Tikanga Paraone Gloyne present the half hour show which is 90 percent English and 10 percent Māori.

Morgan Samuel is the show’s key sound man.

Paraone says Taringa is directed at beginners “but would be enjoyed by anyone who has an interest in knowing more about te reo Māori and te ao Māori”.

Taringa works on a four-weekly rotation of kaupapa. The first kaupapa to be discussed include:

1. Kupu kupu kupu – we discuss kupu, phrases, whakataukī and various topics pertaining to te reo and its use. 
2. Iwi o te Wiki – we pick a random iwi out of the hat, and have a kōrero about that iwi, their history and pepeha. 
3. Once upon a tame – storytelling – traditional and contemporary pūrākau Māori.
4. Tikanga 101 – discussion about tikanga Māori, some of the less spoken about things, or questions too people have. 

Taringa also features manuhiri who come to the show to kōrero about particular kaupapa for the day.

“It’s all very conversational, and not so formal, fun to listen to, and about half an hour an episode,” says Paraone. 

“It’s a great way for people to learn some te reo Māori, tikanga and kōrero tuku iho while listening in the car, at mahi, or wherever.”