Arataua Media 

Sex can still be a tapu subject to talk about for some. Ai - Let's Talk About Sex follows a panel of Māori from all walks of life in Aotearoa who share their indigenous perspectives, unravel lived experiences and kōrero about sex and related topics in hope of normalising sexual health talk for rangatahi so you can connect, learn, and express yourself.

Break the taboo on talking about sex and learn about indigenous perspectives on sexual health with our group of Māori panelists. 

Let's Talk About Ai | The Lowdown Aotearoa 

Let's Talk about Ai

Te kore, Te po, Te ao Marama by Ivy Lyden-Hancy

The Lowdown

In Te kore, Te po, Te ao Marama, 17-year-old poet Ivy Lyden-Hancy's words speak to her identity as a wahine Māori in a changing world. Surrounded by the lasting impacts of colonisation, Ivy paints a picture of the Aotearoa that was, and that one day could be.

In Te kore, Te po, Te ao Marama, poet Ivy Lyden-Hancy's words speak to her identity as a wahine Māori in a changing world.

Te kore, Te po, Te ao Marama - Ivy Lyden-Hancy | The Lowdown Aotearoa

Te kore, Te po, Te ao Marama - Ivy Lyden-Hancy

i walk through concrete rivers 
Wairoa lingering through powerlines
surrounded by rakau 
which has been manufactured 
manipulated 
into the warmth of one’s home 
many homes 
white picket fences and 
sky tower brown 

as i look up to pukekiwiriki 
laying at the sickle of this maunga 
i imagine i am my tupuna
our tangata from before
surrounded by rakau of lush forests 
While melodies of te manu engulf me in its mana 
While wahine moving through grub and fern 
stripping the white man's grass off all infinite crossways 
i replace it with kowhai 
                                  pohutakawa 
                   kauri
pikopiko
all things Māori 

to be Māori is to imagine aotearoa before colonisation 
to be grounded amongst papa 
amongst the kumara pits
their flagstaff will fall 
a tohu that we have taken our whenua back 
our tikanga 
our tangata
holy hands of concrete statues will reach out to me 
amongst the rubble
 they will speak reo pakeha 
a constant reminder of what they have taken from us 

in that we will remove the ink of our ta moko
unbury the mass graves 
remove our taonga from the museums 
reclaim our reo 

they will be at the end of our pū
our rangatira behind us on the path they have paved 
tapu tinana 
tapu wairoa 
aotearoa te tapu whenua 
amene

Tapu Vā

Brown Girls Have Sex Too creator and sexual health educator Anatola joins us to talanoa more about her mahi facilitating safe spaces for conversations around sexual health. She shares more about her interview with RenewsNZ, in which she addresses misconceptions about the hymen and debunks sex myths like the white sheet ceremony, which have been practised in some Tongan and Kiribati communities since colonial times and more. Anatola also encourages more young Pasifika women to consider roles in sexual health spaces because there is such a demand for them in the field.

Tapu Vā - Anatola

A group of Pasifika from the 09’ Tāmaki Makaurau join us to talanoa about sexual health. They cover a wide range of topics, including some common Pasifika myths and their relationship with colonialism, their own experiences with ‘the talk’ and the sexual toxic traits prevalent in our Pasifika sports communities. The group also delves into an overarching theme of changing the narrative surrounding how Pasifika approach sexual health, as well as some ideas for removing the stigma or tapu from the subject so it can be openly talked about.

Tapu Vā - Auckland Talanoa

We’re joined by Matt, who gives us insights about his mahi as a sexual health promoter for Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi. Matt shares about the concept of consent and how it should be addressed more often because it can be a grey area in our Pasifika communities. Matt emphasises the importance of discussing healthy communication and relationships in order to create that vā, that ‘safe space’ for whānau and future generations. He also has a special message at the end for his teenage self about sexual health.

Matt, a sexual health promoter from Te Kaha O Te Rangatahi, shares insights on promoting sexual health in Pasifika communities. Learn about consent, healthy communication, and creating safe space for whānau and future generations.

Tapu Vā: Matt Talks Sexual Health | The Lowdown Aotearoa 

Tapu Vā - Matt

We talanoa with sexual health promoter Samora about her upbringing and her own experience with coming out as her authentic self. She shares her expertise on the relationship between sexual health and Pasifika culture, highlighting how thoughts and attitudes around the connection between the two are strongly influenced by faith, pride and image. Samora also shares some important advice for Pasifika parents who are interested in learning more.

Tapu Vā - Samora

Three Pasifika District Health Board workers from Hastings join us to share their views on sexual health. They talanoa about the idea of reframing cultural beliefs, such as the Samoan word ‘tautua’ (service to aiga or any individual to a greater cause), in a way that suits sexual health, the difference between discussing the topic with parents vs. schoolmates and the barriers to discussing sexual health within your whānau, as well as ideas on how to overcome them.
 

Join three Pasifika District Health Board workers from Hastings as they discuss their views on sexual health. Learn about reframing cultural beliefs, discussing sexual health and whānau and schoolmates, and overcoming barriers to promote sexual health. 

Tapu Vā: Pasifika Workers Talk Sexual Health | The Lowdown Aotearoa 

Tapu Vā - Hastings Talanoa

Ever since she was a young child Callida knew she was different to everybody else in her life, but for years she didn't understand what that meant for her. Watch the video to hear Callida share her journey, beginning as a rangatahi, toward understanding and owning her identity as a proud trans wāhine.

Join Callida on her journey towards self-discovery and owning her identity as a proud trans wāhine.

Manioro: Callida's Story | The Lowdown Aotearoa 

Callida's Story

We travel down the path to self-love this episode of AI. Our panellists kōrero whare tapawhā, self-care methods and techniques and more. Māori & Pasifika business owner Arby Manukau talk more to the subject, sharing her personal journey, what self-love means and advice to others on doing the inner work. 

Our panellists discuss where tapawhā, self-care methods and techniques. Arby Manukau, a Māori & Pasifika business owner, shares her personal journey and advice on doing the inner work. 

Let's Talk about Ai: Self Love | The Lowdown Aotearoa 

Let's Talk about Ai - Self Love 

We kōrero all things pēpi! From baby making songs, to being hāpu to parenthood and big responsibilities. Our panellists are joined by Māori midwife Tawera Trinder who tohatohas more about her mahi and delves deeper into tradional Māori birthing practices, lullabys and gives advice for first time expecting parents. 

Join our panellists and Māori midwife Tawera Trinder as they discuss traditional Māori birthing practices, lullabies and offer advice for first-time expecting parents.

Let's Talk about Ai: Hurō! We’re Having a Pēpi! | The Lowdown Aotearoa

Let's Talk about Ai - Hurō! We’re Having a Pēpi!

If you’re struggling with relationships this episode might help. Special guest Kiri Waititi joins us for a kōrero, sharing her wealth of knowledge afters years of being a psychologist. She breaks down healthy and unhealthy relationships, gives us tips and advice on how to better connect with a partner and a guideline on how to place boundaries. 



Struggling with relationships? In this episode, psychologist Kiri Waititi shares her wealth of knowledge on healthy and unhealthy relationships, tips on how to better connect with a partner and guidelines on setting boundaries. 

Let's Talk about Ai

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