One of the key short term goals of Te Rautaki Reo A Raukawa is to recover, collect and store valuable Raukawa knowledge. This will lead to our medium term goal which is to possess oral histories and archives, strenthening the ongoing use and depth of te reo.
The overall long term aim is to maintain our language depth and unique language identity (mita), as we continue into changing times and future language development.
We are building a knowledge pātaka for our mokopuna and their mokopuna, ongoing.
These goals have led to the following initiatives:
Raukawa Trust Board Oral Histories Collection Stocktake
During 2006, 207 hours of Oral History Material stored at the Raukawa Trust Board were catalogued, filed and safely stored for future use. Policies and procedures were written to ensure the safe storage and protection of this valuable information for all time.
A total of 161 hours of Raukawa language specific material has been copied from master video, and audio tapes to high quality DVD. This material will also be transferred digitally to a new digital storage system awaiting integration with an overall Board digital archive strategy.
93 hours of specific video material has been abstracted (time recording reference to names, places, events, and specific kupu, etc).
The transcribing (written record, word for word) of material will be complete very shortly.
Raukawa Kaumātua Oral History Interviews
During early 2007, interviews were conducted with available Raukawa native / matatau speakers from around the rohe as well as Raukawa ki te Tonga. Policies and guidelines were developed prior to the start of the interviewing to ensure the safe and appropriate collection as well as appropriate storage and ongoing protection. As of June 2007, 64 hours of digital video interview information has been collected.
Further interviews have been organised and ongoing developments will happen in this area.
Archival Institutions Oral History Collection
During early 2007, a plan was written to engage with National and Regional Archival Institutions, and personal collectors to work through a process of firstly identifying and referencing Raukawa historical information in storage and either collecting or copying that information for future language benefit within Raukawa boundaries and for uri benefit everywhere.
This referencing, copying and collection process will commence in 2007-08.
Kaumātua Interviews Te Whāinga / Goal: To possess oral histories and archives, strengthening the ongoing use and depth of te reo Māori!
We are scheduling ongoing interviews with our kaumātua and fluent speakers. Interviews target specific information pertaining to Raukawa, the rohe, kōrero o neherā, history, significant sites, Raukawa specific words and life experiences. We would love to interview your koroua and/or kuia to capture and record their reo and life experiences. We use high quality video and audio equipment to ensure we create a valuable taonga for both the whānau and Raukawa generations to come.
Ōku Pito Whenua, Ōna Pito Kōrero
Te Whāinga / Goal: Support and develop learning with a particular Raukawa focus.
This ground breaking DVD recorded in te reo Māori explains historical points about eight significant landmarks within the Raukawa rohe. Copies have been distributed to over 700 Raukawa uri throughout the motu. If you wish to request a copy, then contact Charlie Tepana. Currently we are investigating the development of the second DVD.
Contact Information:
Charlie Tepana