Welcome back to Te Karere and a special segment, Onamata.
It's here we take a look back at some of the most important issues
in the year that was.
Our reporter Ripeka Timutimu is by my side now, greetings.
Greetings Scotty, there have so many big stories overseas this year,
you know Brexit in England
and the ups and downs of President Donald Trump in America.
Amongst all those big stories though,
Maori have managed to shine on the world stage.
A star on the rise in the Hollywood.
Taika Waititi has had a huge year with blockbuster Thor; Ragnarok,
but he still keeps it real.
Another person new to his job.
President Donald Trump made headlines
for his crusade against North Korea this year.
To his crusade against the media.
No one was untouchable.
Even his counterpart in the UK, Prime Minister Theresa May,
who is grappling with Brexit.
With Maori hoping they won't be left in the cold.
But the new high commissioner to London,
our very own Sir Jerry Mateparae, could be on hand to help.
But closer to home,
Maori are struggling for better rights in Australia
as they are being shipped back here in their droves.
There's no doubt 2018 will be another big year for Maori.
Let's talk Brexit, how much of a beast is this thing?
Yeah it's huge.
When I was in London earlier this year,
the BBC would have daily reports about its progress,
but negotiations are all over the place
and the Prime Minister of the UK, Theresa May,
has a tough job ahead of her to get across the line.
At the moment,
negotiations between them and the European Union
is still taking place,
Angela Merkel of Germany is another who also spoke to Theresa May.
For Maori it could actually open up more jobs
as they shut out other countries, and it could be good for trade.
But it's a long wait
till New Zealand gets to the negotiating table with the UK.
You have spoken of leaders in the UK and Germany.
Now to America and Donald Trump,
what a year he's had with his Twitter rants and outbursts.
What's your take on him?
Scotty if I can refer to this proverb 'he tangata ki tahi'.
It speaks of the authority or the mana of a person.
That does not refer to Donald Trump.
Of course, he has had rants on Twitter
about North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Theresa May.
I have never seen a world leader like him.
He's unpredictable and really can do no wrong in his eyes.
I'm actually surprised he's lasted this long as POTUS.
Which Maori do you think have really shone this year?
In London, I was very lucky to speak with Sir Jerry Mateparae,
the first Maori high commissioner to London.
You know that's such a huge achievement.
I can't look past the Te Kaha local, Taika Waititi.
The thing about Taika
is that he has an absolution passion for this country,
and he's been able to share that through his work
on the big screen.
I think you can really hear that Maori humour
in his latest movie Thor,
and the thing is he's scared to speak his mind on the world stage.
Thank you Ripeka for your work this year,
it's been great to revisit
some of those important stories that you've told.
Once again, thank you so much.