We use cookies to help us understand how you use our site, and make your experience better. To find out more read our privacy policy.
Play

00:00

/

00:00

Full screen
Video quality

Low 0 MB

High 0 MB

HD 0 MB

Captions
Volume
Volume
Hero image for Waka Huia - Meng Foon

Waka Huia - Meng Foon

Television (Full Length) – 2008

When Meng Foon stood down as mayor of Gisborne after 18 years in 2019, he was Aotearoa's only mayor to be fluent in te reo Māori. In this subtitled te reo documentary, Gisborne locals praise Foon's ability to walk in both the Māori and Pākehā world. Kaumatua Charlie Pera admits some Māori were initially hesitant about a Chinese person speaking te reo, but they were soon won over by Foon's passion for their language and tikanga, and his advocacy of their issues. Foon, who was raised in Gisborne to market gardener parents, became Race Relations Commissioner in late 2019. 

The Māori way is different to the Pākehā way. Meng’s talent is his ability to use his words so that he treads easily. That is his skill. Meng is of the new world and of the old world. He can communicate with the elders and the children on the street.
– Tā moko artist Derek Lardelli

Key Cast & Crew

Profile image for Miki Apiti

Miki Apiti

Producer

Generic Profile image for Kawariki Morgan

Kawariki Morgan

Presenter

Profile image for Tini Molyneux

Tini Molyneux

Director, Reporter

Generic Profile image for Chris Stanbury

Chris Stanbury

Studio Camera Operator

Generic Profile image for Tracey Cribb

Tracey Cribb

Production Manager

Generic Profile image for Melissa Johnson

Melissa Johnson

Technical Producer

See all 16 credits