One Land: Get to know the Ririnuis
Ririnui family
Ririnui family
MAORI FAMILY - TE REO SPEAKING
The Ririnui Family, Tauranga
Father: Aramahou Ririnui (37)
Mother: Toni Heke (28)
Son: Rerehou Ririnui (10)
Son: Tuhawaiki Heke (9)
Son: Ngawaka Ririnui (5)
Daughter: Hemorere Heke-Ririnui (4)
Daughter: Te Hapirangi Heke (2)
Niece: Te Ao Marama Tukaokao (13)
The opportunity to live on an 1850s Maori Pa is a dream come true for Aramahou and Toni Ririnui. Both Maori language teachers, they are passionate about teaching their own children te reo Maori and "retracing the footsteps of our ancestors".
But despite her enthusiasm, Toni is worried about coping without all the modern luxuries.
"I'm a hearty fish and chips girl, it's the love of my life!" she laughs. "And the mirror and all that goes with it, hair straightener, mascara, shampoo ... not to mention my car!"
Toni and Aramahou live in Tauranga with their blended whanau of four children, Tuhawaiki (9), Ngawaka (5), Hemorere (4) and Te Hapirangi (2). They are also joined on the Pa by Aramahou's son Rerehou (10) and Toni's niece Te Ao Marama (13).
Toni is a Kohanga Reo teacher, and a busy mother to the couple's five children. She enjoys playing sport and getting involved in community work.
Aramahou is HOD of the Aranui bilingual unit at Tauranga Boys College, teaching te reo Maori and kapahaka. A former Bay of Plenty NPC rugby player he is also a keen diver, fisherman and mainstay at his local marae, Maungatapu.
All the Ririnui children are able to converse in te reo Maori, and for the purposes of the show, the entire family will speak only te reo for the duration of their stay on the Pa.
Toni and Aramahou have been engaged for seven years.
