He Maimai Aroha - It begins here

After sharing my Facebook tribute to Tā Hirini Moko Mead and attending his tangihanga at Kokohinau Marae, Te Teko, I found myself challenged to share my research rather than let it sit on the shelf in a library.

In 2025, I completed my PhD at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi, the wānanga he helped build for all iwi, for all people. It is titled He Maimai Aroha: Live Streaming Tangihanga During COVID-19.

His passing, and the death of Tā Tamati Reedy and Dr Whatarangi Winiata, three tōtara hāemata gone within weeks of each other, has lit a fire under me. These were men who were not matapiko with their knowledge. They shared it. They built institutions with it. They signed their books carefully, because the work mattered.

So in their honour, I am going to share mine.

Over the coming weeks, I will unpack my research in plain language, what I found, what surprised me, and what I believe Māori broadcasters, whānau, and iwi need to know before they livestream at a tangihanga.

This is my humble contribution. A grain of sand on the beach of life.

It begins here.

E ngā tōtara hāemata o te wao nui a Tāne — moe mai, okioki mai rā.