Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira (Te Ātiawa, Ngāruahine, Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whakaue) has been described by their peers as one of the most strategic minds of their generation. For the past 14 years, they’ve been behind some of the biggest community-led campaigns in Aotearoa. They’re currently the CEO of 350.org in so-called Australia, a global community organisation committed to a world free of fossil fuels.

Unlike other people Jen has spoken to on this podcast, Te Raukura isn’t a songwriter. They became friends through a waiata group in Naarm (Melbourne) fondly known as Takatāpui Tuesdays. In this episode, Te Raukura speaks to the complexities of being Māori and working on Aboriginal land – and how singing their cultural songs with other queer and trans Māori has brought them joy and connection.

Find out more about Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Te_Raukura_O%27Connell_Rapira

Jordyn with a Why (Tainui Āwhiro) grew up in South Auckland immersed in her Samoan culture. It wasn’t until high school, when her Dad suggested she take Te reo Māori instead of French, that a door opened into her cultural identity. Now her days are spent teaching full immersion Te reo Māori while raising her sons with Māori as their first language.

Her debut album Hibiscus Moon, Love & Justice is written in rua reo (both Māori and English), and blends R&B, neo-soul, and pop to speak to the experience of being an urban Māori. In this episode, Jordyn takes Jen for a feed at Denny’s – a South Auckland mainstay – and shares how Te Reo Māori has changed the direction of her life and music.

Find out more about Jordyn with a Why:

https://www.instagram.com/jordynwitha_why/?hl=en

When Byllie-jean (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga, Ngāti Pahauwera) released her debut EP Filter at the beginning of 2024, she was largely unknown. A year on and she’s become one of the most lauded songwriters in Aotearoa, recently picking up a Taite Music Prize (2025) for Best Debut Album.

Byllie-jean spent her childhood riding horseback beside the Inangahua River in the north-west of the South Island. The influence of the ngahere (bush) and her capacity to listen deeply brings to mind the work of the great Hirini Melbourne. In this episode, Jen takes a ride in Byllie-jean’s truck, ‘Haumie’, and learns about the wāhine Māori who have shaped her life and songwriting.

Find out more about Byllie-jean:

https://www.instagram.com/byllie_jean/?hl=en