Rangimoana Taylor

In the podcast "Rangimoana Taylor profile," recorded in Wellington on March 8, 2015, interviewee Rangimoana Taylor discusses several thematic elements of life, including growing up with a bicultural background, activism, storytelling, and personal development. Taylor's ancestral heritage is Māori Spanish from the mother's side and Scottish English from the father's side, leading to a rich cultural upbringing with an emphasis on Maori language and traditions.

Taylor's early school years were spent in Wellington, followed by attendance at Onslow College. After initial educational experiences, Taylor went on to further studies in the United States and the UK. At the time of the interview, having reached pensioner age, Taylor had been working as a guide and teacher at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa for around 15 years and had spent significant time teaching abroad.

Impressively, Taylor had performed and directed in various countries and held the distinction of being the first Australasian storyteller to be involved with the National Storytelling Federation in the United States, even being named as one of the world's leading storytellers. Taylor emphasizes a preference for telling only Māori stories, respecting cultural boundaries and focusing on the authenticity of that lineage.

The interview delves into personal aspects, such as the speaker's experiences with bicultural naming practices. Taylor recalls the parental decision to give English names to prevent mispronunciation, leading to an understanding of cultural pressures but also a personal journey back towards a Māori identifier.

The podcast also touches on struggles with dyslexia, unrecognized in the speaker's school years, which presented challenges but also an understanding of individual learning differences. Furthermore, Taylor candidly discusses sexual orientation, including public perceptions and coming to terms with personal identity amidst societal expectations in the 1960s.

Throughout the interview, Taylor navigates through themes of respect for heritage, the importance of language, and struggles with identity, both cultural and personal, eventually leading to activism and storytelling as methods for communication and education. Taylor's experiences emphasize the significance of holding Māori narratives with respect, teaching with enthusiasm, and paving the way for future generations to embrace culture without fear or shame.

By the end of the podcast, Taylor advocates for a bicultural society in Aotearoa New Zealand, one that embraces diversity and offers equal rights and opportunities for all. The interviewee underscores the importance of storytelling as a way to connect, transfer knowledge, and promote mutual respect across different cultures.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Rangimoana Taylor

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