Te Whetu McCorkindale

Iwi

Tuhoe

Education

Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ruatoki

Occupation

Kai-rīpoata/reporter

What did you want to be when you were young?

The man from Snowy River.

Who are your inspirational role models?

Zinzan Brooke, Te Hue Rangi, Pou Temara, Wharehuia Milroy.

What is your favourite...

· food?

Hainamana/Chinese.

· movie?

The Lord of the Rings.

· person/people?

Āku pumanawa kei runga/my peers above (TVNZ).

· TV programme?

Te Karere, of course.

· music?

Ngā waiata Māori hou/new Māori songs.

· pastime?

Ruku kaimoana/diving for seafood.

What would be your ideal day?

Te oti he kaupapa mō Te Karere e hika ai ngā mata a te hunga mataki, a kanohi, a hinengaro, a whakaaro/To finish an article for Te Karere that will be so good, that those who are watching will be awed and inspired by the contents.

What is the grossest thing in your fridge?

Āku kai Māori. Kua tino mara nei. Pikopiko, kouka, whakamaara – ooo te reka ke/My Māori food. Fermented as. Pikopiko, kouka, whakamara – too much.

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Ki te pukā to haere ka hapa, katahi te whakamā. No reira aata haere/If you are in a hurry, there will be mistakes and shamefulness shall follow. So slow down.

What are your ambitions for the future?

Ki te tae ki te taumata o āku mahi, katahi ka whiri he ara e hoki ai au me aua mahi ki te wa kainga/To reach the summit of my occupation and then figure out how to incorporate my skills towards my iwi.

What sparked your interest in following your particular career path?

Taku reo Māori, tōku Tuhoetanga/My Māori language, my Tuhoetanga.

December, 2003