Television New Zealand Archive

Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf

1996
Patrick Thompson is interviewed on the ‘Marae’ programme, a bilingual Māori and English language current affairs show, about setting up a wānanga to enable Māori Deaf to access te reo Maori and Tikanga Maori.
Image for Patrick Thompson discusses upcoming wānanga for Māori Deaf

Patrick Thompson appears on the ‘Marae’ programme, with trilingual interpreter Stephanie Awheto, where he is asked to expand on the wānanga recently set up for Māori Deaf. He explains there was a need for this, to support Māori Deaf to discover their identity, and learn about Māori culture as this was not accessible to them previously. The learning is so powerful he likens it to being “born again”. From the wānanga Māori Deaf gained confidence to stand up on the marae and mihi.

Patrick explains that, for Māori Deaf to continue to be able to access tikanga, Te Reo Māori, more trilingual interpreters are needed. NZSL classes have been set up for Māori speakers, on the Marae with the hope that more will become trilingual interpreters. Patrick concludes the interview with his dreams of a more accessible society for Māori Deaf, as well as more specific services for them.

  1. Patrick Thompson

  2. Stephanie Awheto

Donated by Television New Zealand Archive
Copyright Television New Zealand
Original format VIDEOTAPE 1-inch COLOUR FORMAT C
Reference number TVNZ31-01-TV96