Chris Winitana
Chris Winitana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1960 (age 63–64) Taumarunui |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Alma mater | University of Waikato Wellington Polytechnic Journalism School |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, playwright, author and producer |
| Known for | Māori custom and language expert |
| Spouse | Tina Maree Kaipara |
Chris Winitana (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāi Tūhoe) is a journalist, playwright, author and producer, as well as a Māori cultural and language expert from Aotearoa, New Zealand.[1]
He founded Ngā Tama a Rangi Kohanga Reo, Te Kura o te Ahorangi, and Te Whare Ahorangi.
Career
[edit]Winitana began his career as a journalist at the Waikato Times in 1981.[2] He later worked at The New Zealand Herald in 1982 and Sunday News in 1983-85, before teaching at the Waiariki Māori Journalism Course, where he was employed to recruit more Māori journalists.[1][2]
Winitana and his sister founded Ngā Tama a Rangi Kohanga Reo in Hamilton in 1988. Winitana co-founded Te Kura o te Ahorangi in the same year, a kura kaupapa for children ages 7 to 14, which his children attended.[2] Winitana is a prolific contributor to school and learning resources for kura kaupapa and kohanga reo, writing 250 waita.[2]
In 1993, Winitana and his partner founded Te Whare Ahorangi, a Māori school of arts in Tūrangi.[2] He produced the first Māori Broadway-style musical Ahorangi Genesis in the same year, and in 2000 produced Ahorangi 2000 in which his 11 year old son Tupoutahi played the lead male role.[3] The musical was supported by Te Waka Toi, the Māori branch of Creative New Zealand.
Winitana published his second book My Language, My Inspiration and it's Māori translation Tōku reo, Tōku Ohooho in 2011 to positive reviews. Te Karaka, a Ngāi Tahu magazine, describes the book as complex and in-depth, challenging for some readers, but giving "new motivation and invigoration" for learning and speaking te reo Māori.[4]
From 2012 to 2015 Winitana hosted Te Tepu, a Whakaata Māori current affairs show that interviews prominent kaumatua and New Zealnd's best speakers of te reo Māori about local and international current events.[1]
Winitana moved to Whakaata Māori's new te reo Māori show Paepae in 2015 when Te Tepu ended, co-hosting alongside his son Tupoutahi Winitana.[5] The show was cross-generational, with both young and older guests debating political issues. The show aired on Sundays and ran for one 35 episode season.[6]
In 2017 Winitana was a judge for Te Matatini, in the categories of Moteatea and Manukura Tane and Titonga Hou Moteatea.[7]
In 2022 and 2023 Winitana was a head tutor for the Te Rito Journalism cadetship programme, intended to address the lack of diverse voices in New Zealand journalism, with a focus on Māori and Pacific voices.[8] Te Rito won the International News Media Association award for Best Innovation in Newsroom Transformation at the 2023 Global Media Awards in New York.
Winitana will return as a judge for Te Matatini 2025 in the category of Te Kairangi o te Reo.[9][10]
Personal Life
[edit]Winitana was born in Taumaranui, New Zealand. He grew up across the North Island, attending Kawerau Intermediate, Fraser High School, Melville High School, and Huntly College. He attended The University of Waikato before entering Wellington Polytechnic Journalism School for a year.[2]
Winitana is married to Tina Maree Kaipara, and has children with her, including Topoutahi Winitana.[3]
Publications
[edit]Fiction
[edit]Non-fiction
[edit]- Legends of Aotearoa (2001)[14]
- Tōku Reo Tōku Ohooho (2011)[15]
- My Language, My Inspiration (2011)[16]
- The Meaning of Mana[17]
Awards
[edit]| Year | Won | Publication | Award | Award giver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Finalist | Te Uruuru Whenua o Ngātoroirangi | Best First Book Award | 2021 NZ CYA Book Awards - Te Kura Pounamu finalists (Te Reo Māori) |
| 2012 | Winner | for Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho: My Language, My Inspiration | Māori Language Award | New Zealand Post Book Awards |
| 2006 | Winner | Koi | Best Maori Language Children’s Programme |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Māori TV (12 June 2012). "Chris Winitana to Host Te Tepu". Scoop. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f "Chris Winitana". Kōmako. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ a b Bidois, Vanessa (30 June 2000). "Lead role at 11 for Tupoutahi". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Ellison, Megan (2011). "Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho" (PDF). Te Karaka (52): 66.
- ^ Kiniti, Dana (31 March 2015). "Whanau to the fore as father and son front new TV show". Rotorua Daily Post. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "PaePae". Māori Plus. 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ "Te Arawa's Matatini judges for 2017". Rotorua Daily Post. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ McDonald, Kelvin (28 May 2023). "Whakaata Māori's Te Rito journalism cadetship wins global media award in New York". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Hill, Natasha (20 September 2024). "Judges revealed for Te Matatini o Te Kāhui Maunga 2025". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Te Karere Reports (20 September 2024). "Te Matatini: Fifty judges announced, ticket sales open". 1News. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (1 August 1985). "Poking Tongues". Tu Tangata (25): 60 – via Papers Past.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (1 August 1986). "White in Brown". Tu Tangata (31): 28 – via Papers Past.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (2021). Tu Uruuru Whenua o Ngātoroirangi. Wellington, New Zealand: Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781775506393.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (2001). Legends of Aotearoa. Auckland, New Zealand: HarperCollins. ISBN 9781869503499.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (July 2011). Toku Reo Toku Ohooho. Wellington, New Zealand: Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781869693787.
- ^ Winitana, Chris (2011). My Language, My Inspiration. Wellington, New Zealand: Huia Publishers. ISBN 9781869693794.
- ^ Winitana, Chris. "The Meaning of Mana". New Zealand Geographic. Retrieved 11 December 2024.