The VOICE of Mauri Ora - Francie Taylor!

I really can't go any further in explaining Mauri Ora and it's creative evolution, without talking about Francie!

Not only was she there in the beginnings of Mahi Ora, but she was there before Mauri Ora became a programme.

We first used her voice to record talking books for Mahi Ora and in those days, it mean't a weekend in 'the sweat box' - the name given to a small recording booth Jono had created in his warehouse (where we filmed all the introductions to the Mahi Ora videos).

We all soon discovered that Francie had this cool, easy to listen to voice so it was an easy choice to make when it came to recording all the introductions to Mauri Ora. Francie was our girl!!!!

Tatai Irorangi (one of the Mauri Ora audio's) will always remain one of my favorites. Francie would rock on into our studio - which was now way bigger than the sweat box - grab her a glass of water and 'pump out' whatever was required of her! She didn't always get the words right (especially the English ones) but she did it all with great passion.

When she got it wrong, we would all roll around in fits of laughter, with Francie taking it all in her stride, returning back to the recording room and fixing her mistakes!

When times were hard, she was the first to be there and the last to leave! She did all of this as well as manage her and her partner, Simon Newton, company and create learning resources that enhanced the learning outcomes of the programme.

Truely a wahine of mana, he tangata rongonui - the fab and fit Ms Francis Taylor!

IN THE BEGINNING...MAHI ORA

Kina Film Productions Ltd (NZ) was born out of the creation of 'Mahi Ora - Make Your Life Work!', a distance learning educational programme (the largest of it's kind in New Zealand to date).

The programme became the property of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (a Māori based tertiary organisation) but this was not its original root!

Most written material came from a series of programmes developed and delivered to unemployed beneficeries through a company called Te Karere Māutaurangi Māori (later to become Lifeworks NZ). The company was owned by a dynamic couple, Sue and Adrian Bryant.

Principal writers of early work were; Sue Wetere-Bryant, Debs Chase, Shelley Cambell and Kate Cherrington.

Film was first introduced by Jude Roberts (camera & edits by Willie Wetere) in the Job Action Workshops. New Zealand Employment Services contracted Jude and her company Rona Marketing, to produce a promo-documentary of both the success stories of Job Action and the processes of delivery.

In 1998/99 Sue approached Jude with the concept of 'free education' delivery utilising film, books and audio. The programme would give ability to students to investigate life and job opportunities, provide them with information to support their choices and share success stories of others that had 'found their passion in life'.

Deb Chase who had worked with Sue on 'women's programmes' was approached also, and so the 'original 3 co-creators' were birthed!

A wonderful array of other writers, researchers, recording artists, administrators and hui organisors grew to support Mahi Ora creation. These included; Karen, Hiriana, Bobbi, Jude Simpson, Waiteahoaho,'the Wamsley's' - logo creators (!), Barb, Hira, Keld, Syria, Hillary, Trina, Bernie, Kingi, Willie and many others!!!!

Early on it was determined that students would get a 'gift' - a resource that reflected the learning held within the Kete (or pack) it was delivered in. Francie Taylor and Jude Roberts had formed a company called Go Tuatara, which at the time was delivering corporate gifts. Go Tuatara, now owned by Francie, Simeon and whānau, then began to develop the 'gift packages' for the Mahi Ora programme. Francie also did all the film documentary contact and interview timetables, as well as importing the publications chosen for the programme.

In the area of creating film, Jonathon Gesthuizen was brought 'on board'. Jono had a small digi camera, a lot of energy, passion and the amazing ability to 'flexi' as the programme developed!

Jude and Jono formed a life-long respect for each others talents. Jude would determine the film type, direct, interview and later (thanx to Jono teaching her), do the first edits of Mahi Ora films.

From the film interviews and documentary types, other resource material would then often be determined and aligned.

It was a fun, tiring, exciting time! Mahi Ora original material reflect the programmes organic roots and ongoing evolution!

When the programme was sold, included in the Sale Agreement, was the development 3 further programmes. These (and others) had been outlined by Jude, after Sue and Debs had approached her to think about what would benefit Mahi Ora students in their growth for knowledge and further job opportunities.

Kina Film Productions was formed to create all film work relevant to these other programmes.... and there lies another story... however in 2000 the company was formed.

Here is a very early Kina Film Productions showreel of work either completed or in progress in 2003. Forgive the quality - it is only in wave format.