AUCKLAND, Wednesday: Spark (via Colenso BBDO) is bringing stories of Matariki to the nation this year by launching 0800 MATARIKI, which offers nine stories behind each star in the cluster in both Te Reo Māori and English.
The 0800 campaign is voiced by four prominent New Zealand orators – Waikato Uni professor Rangi Matamua, radio/tv presenter Stacey Morrison, Te Karere host Scotty Morrison, and tikanga expert Rhonda Tibble.
The campaign is the result of a collaboration between Rangi Matamua and Stacey Morrison.
This is the latest initiative from Spark designed to help preserve Māori oral traditions and archive stories, complementing Kupu, a platform that translates images into Te Reo Māori.
“It’s great to see more brave work like this from one of New Zealand’s biggest companies.”
Each of the stories was recorded with guidance from Matamua and were inspired by his book, Matariki: The star of the Year, which is based on the Matariki stories from his ancestry of Māori astronomers.
Matamua has spent the past 20 years researching Matariki and is passionate about helping to reconnect people with their environment through education and story-telling.
“This is a fantastic idea because from a cultural perspective, there is a completely different level of connection and understanding when you hear someone’s voice and all of the other elements that come with that,” he said.
Spark head of Māori strateg, Lisa Paraku said: “For centuries, Māori have passed down stories of Matariki by oral traditions to future generations from within their marae, but now technology can help us to share this significant part of Māori culture with more New Zealanders.
“Using tech to help people recognise and support Māori culture is an amazing role for a company like Spark to play.”
Colenso CD Mike Davison said: “It’s great to see more brave work like this from one of New Zealand’s biggest companies.”
- To listen to the stories, call 0800 MATARIKI free of charge, or search 0800MATARIKI on Spotify
CREDITS
Client: Spark
Brand Lead Partner: Hannah Bay
Brand Partner – Social: Caitlin Hayns
Māori Strategy Lead: Lisa Paraku
Agency: Colenso BBDO
Media Agency: PHD Auckland
Director of Photography: Riki Reinfield
Sound Design: Franklin Road
Project Partners: Dr Rangi Matamua, Stacey & Scott Morrison and family, Rhonda Tibble
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