Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home

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 at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa while raising her sons with Māori as their first language. Her debut album Hibiscus Moon Love and 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

Whirimako Black (Ngāti Tuhoe, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whakatōhea, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) is Aotearoa’s undisputed soul diva, and one of the greatest living performers of waiata Māori. While her work has broken new ground for Māori music, her career has never been easy. When Whirimako released her debut album Hinepukohurangi (Shrouded in the Mist) in 2001, there were very few albums (let alone jazz albums) written and performed in Te Reo Māori. In this episode, Jen visits Whirimako at her home in Ruatoki to find out why she shelved the album for five years … and how learning about her whakapapa gave her the strength to finally set it free. Find out more about Whirimako Black: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg81FN-pZ24158Wz-4DhaLg

Dr. Shellie Morris (Wardaman, Yanyuwa) is a legend in the Northern Territory. Affectionately known as the ‘Mother of Music’, she’s spent the past 25 years writing songs with more than 70 remote bush communities. In that time, Shellie’s learned to sing in 17 different languages – many of which are considered ‘sleeping’ or close to extinction, including her own Yanyuwa tongue. In this episode, Jen and Shellie head to Kakadu to visit Shellie’s sister Mandy Muir. On the way, Jen learns about Shellie’s emotional homecoming after being adopted at birth; the healing influence of her Elders, the Borroloola Songwomen, and the next generation of strong, cultural women who are keeping their languages alive through song. Find out more about Shellie Morris: https://arrkulayinbayarra.bandcamp.com/album/waralungku https://www.shelliemorris.com/

Since releasing their fifth album, Ko Au Te Awa, Ko Te Awa Ko Au, and the first season of this podcast, Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home , Jen Cloher has packed up their life in Naarm, (Melbourne) and moved home to Aotearoa, New Zealand. They’ve enrolled in a year long Te Reo Māori rumaki (immersive) language course at Te Wānanga o Raukawa in Ōtaki. “Rumaki means to immerse or drown”, Jen explains, “and for a beginner like me, drowning in the Māori language definitely sums up the experience.” In this episode, Jen speaks with Anahera Neho-Cooper from Te Reo Maioha – a Māori language class based in Melbourne that utilises the well-loved Te Ataarangi method of learning. Jen also stops by Tauranga Moana to get some survival tips from their friend Ani Bennett, who has just completed a year long immersion. Find out more about Jen Cloher: https://www.jencloher.com/jen

Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home is an independent podcast series created by acclaimed songwriter Jen Cloher (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāpuhi), documenting the experiences of Māori and First Nations artists who are writing and performing in their languages. The first season (2023) was nominated for Best New Podcast and Best Arts and Culture Podcast at the Australian Podcast Awards, and featured in the Wheeler Centre’s Spring Fling program with a special live episode. In season two, Jen travels to Kakadu with Shellie Morris to learn about the enduring legacy of the Borroloola Songwomen; visits Whirimako Black in Ruatoki to find out why her groundbreaking debut album Hinepukohurangi (Shrouded in the Mist) was shelved for five years; takes a ride in Byllie-jean’s truck to hear the stories behind her Taite Prize-winning debut, heads to Denny’s 24 hour diner in South Auckland for a feed with Jordyn with a Why; and celebrates the joys of Naarm based waiata group Takatāpui Tuesdays with campaigner and organiser Te Raukura O’Connell Rapira.

Breanne Peters (Kai Tahu, Ngāti Ruanui, Te Atiawa) was born in Naarm (Melbourne) and didn’t know anything about her Māori heritage until a trip home to Aotearoa a few years ago that changed the course of her life. Now, the 18 year old artist is on a mission to heal intergenerational trauma so that future generations can have access to their language and culture. She is a passionate advocate for rangatahi Māori (young people) and has found community and support for her journey with the Naarm based kapa haka T’HONI. Breanne shares how singing vocals on Mana Takatāpui helped her to put words to what she had been feeling and how Te Ao Māori (the Māori worldview) has deepened her respect for First Nations people and culture in Australia.

Emma Donovan (Gumbangyirr, Yamatji) grew up singing gospel songs in her Nan and Pop’s band The Donovans. She soon went on to tour the world as one of the youngest members of the legendary Black Arm Band. Emma’s released four albums with Melbourne rhythm combo The Putbacks and is currently in the studio making her first solo album. Jen joins Emma and her daughters for an emotional Survival Day at Yabun Festival before heading to La Perouse in Sydney’s south where Emma shares about the lasting influence of Aunty Ruby Hunter on her music and language journey.

Anna Coddington (Ngāti Tūwharetoa and Te Arawa) was catapulted into the public eye at age 15 when her high school band won a national songwriting competition. Since then she’s released four solo albums, received a degree in socio-linguistics, and has been dedicated to learning Te reo Māori at night classes — all the while raising two young boys. Her album ‘Aho’ (written entirely in the Māori language) recently won Best Te Reo Māori Album at the Māori Music Awards. Jen catches up with Anna at the APRA NZ Te Reo Māori Songwriting Hubs curated by Bic Runga. The story begins with a masterclass in Taonga Pūoro (traditional Māori musical instruments) from Reti Hedley. Find out more about Anna Coddington.

Dr. Lou Bennett (Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta) is songwriting royalty. A founding member of both the Black Arm Band and ARIA award winning trio, TIDDAS. Lou has spent her life dedicated to what she describes as ‘Sovereign Language Rematriation’ and her passion is traced back to her love for her people and Country. Lou takes Jen home to Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Victoria’s north west to share the heartbreaking story of the Djaara baby. On the way home they are greeted by an unexpected friend. Find out more about Dr Lou Bennett.

Theia (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) has earned a reputation for fearless pop music. Now her Māori language project, Te Kaahu o Rangi [Taite Music Prize] has caught the imagination of new fans worldwide. In this episode, Jen and Theia head out to the Waikato River to trace the origins of Theia’s rich songwriting ancestry, dig into the significance of the Pai Mārire faith, and spend time at Theia’s beloved Taupiri. Find out more about Te Kaahu.

Jen Cloher (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Kahu) was on tour in Aotearoa in 2019 when something happened that changed the course of their life. Four years later, Jen is a new person — about to set out on an international tour (Aus, UK, Europe and Aotearoa) for a new album that weaves their matrilineal language Te reo Māori throughout. Before they can begin to document other Māori and First Nations experiences, Jen will need to face imposter syndrome, stare down shame, and walk open hearted towards their language and culture.

Everybody's Trying To Find Their Way Home, is a brand new independent podcast series celebrating the unique experiences of Māori and First Nations songwriters who are writing and performing in their tribal languages. In Everybody’s Trying To Find Their Way Home Jen learns about Sovereign Language Rematriation with Dr. Lou Bennett (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung); the significance of the Waikato River and Pai Mārire faith for Theia’s (Waikato-Tainui, Ngāti Tīpa) TE KAAHU waiata Māori project, spends an emotional Survival Day at Yabun Festival with Emma Donovan (Gumbaynggirr, Yamatji) and attends the NZ APRA Te reo Māori Songhubs curated by Bic Runga with Anna Coddington (Ngāti Tūwharetoa,Te Arawa).