A four-decade long friendship between Dame Hinewehi Mohi and Māori broadcaster Erana Reedy has been marked permanently in the receiving of their moko kauae, reaffirming a life of highs, lows and lots of laughs. They spoke to Taioro News' Mātai Smith.
It all started 40 years ago when they met at St Joseph’s Māori Girls’ College in Napier, said Mohi.
“He wahine ngahau, he wahine hātakēhi, i katakata māua i ngā wā katoa. Heoi anō, he tino hoa, he tino hoa piripono.”
(“[Erana] is funny, she’s hardcase. We laughed all the time. So we’re best friends, the best of friends.”)
From there, their friendship continued at Waikato University in Hamilton, and then beyond, even as they both took different career paths – one in music, the other in media.
Dame Hinewehi went on to enjoy a successful music career, including recording a double platinum album, establishing the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre, and being inducted into the into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame. She continues to produce te reo Māori music and content, working with some of New Zealand's biggest musicians.
Reedy is a prominent Māori broadcaster with 40 years experience in producing te reo Māori content across radio, television and online platforms. She's currently the chief operating officer of Radio Ngāti Porou and serve as deputy chair on Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori (the National Māori Radio Network) and board member of the Māori broadcasting funding agency Te Māngai Pāho.
Marking their friendship
The two women recently gathered friends and family to witness their receiving of moko from widely acclaimed tā moko artist, Sir Derek Lardelli.
And while the pain of the process could be overwhelming for some, it was a different experience for Reedy.
“Ka whakahaeretia te karakia, ka tau ki tērā wāhi ā wairua nei, i rongo anō hoki ahau ki taku pāpā, me aku tīpuna, taku māmā – i reira katoa rātou e tauawhi ana i ahau i te wā e takoto ana au i tana tēpu.”
(“Once the karakia was done I went to that spiritual place, I felt the presence of my dad, my ancestors, my mum – they were all there supporting me as I lay on the table.”)
“Nō reira, he ngāwari, me kī, me te ohorere anō hoki he ngāwari! A kua mutu, a kua pai. Ki ahau, kua tau te wairua.”
(“So, you could say it was pleasant, which was surprising! And it’s done, it’s good. For me, I feel settled.”)
Both women have long dreamed of receiving their moko. For Mohi, it was important she sought her grandmother Joan’s blessing – doing so before the woman passed.
“Tino harikoa ahau ki te mau moko mō te maumaharatanga o tōku kuia,” Mohi said.
(I’m very happy to wear moko in memory of my grandmother.”)
Their dreams have now come true, said Reedy.
“Kia mahia ngātahi ai anō hoki tāua i te wā kotahi, i te wāhi kotahi. Kāore ōku tuahine, nō reira anei taku tuahine and me mahi tahi ka tika,” she said.
(“To be able to have this done together, in the same place – I have no sisters so [Hinewehi] is my sister, and it’s only right we do it together.”)
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