5 March 2008
New Zealand’s first ever 100 per cent Māori language television channel will be called ‘Te Reo’ – which literally means ‘the language’.
The new channel will initially broadcast three hours a day, seven days a week, during the prime time hours of 8.00 PM to 11.00 PM from Friday March 28 on Freeview channel 24 and also on SKY Digital.
Māori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the launch of Te Reo is another milestone in language revitalisation initiatives to secure the future of the Māori language.
Staff, stakeholders and delegates at the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference will attend a dawn ceremony at Māori Television’s Auckland studio on Friday March 28 before the channel’s first, live-to-air broadcast from the gala dinner of the conference at SKYCITY Convention Centre later that night.
“Te Reo builds on the values established with the birth of New Zealand’s indigenous television broadcaster four years ago,” Mr Mather says. “It also furthers our mission to play a major role in revitalising language and culture that is the birthright of every Māori and the heritage of every New Zealander.”
Schedule highlights include:
WHARE TAPERE – Sunday at 8.00 PM from March 30: Studio-based show – fronted by kapa haka enthusiast Tamati Waaka – that explores the dynamics of kapa haka through discussion with special guests. Learn and appreciate the stories behind the moves, the songs and the people.
TE WAO TŪTURU – Sunday at 8.30 PM from March 30: Natural history documentaries from throughout the world – reversioned into the Māori language.
TE TĒPU – Monday at 9.30 PM from March 31; repeats Thursday at 9.30 PM from April 3: Current affairs show where prominent kaumātua as well as the country’s best practitioners of te reo Māori share their views on local, national and international issues with presenter Waihoroi Shortland.
TE PĀTAKA KŌRERO – Wednesday at 9.30 PM from April 2; repeats Thursday at 9.00 PM from April 3: Haare Williams presents this inspirational history series that uses sound and visual archival material to bring the past back to the present. Kaumātua and well-known Māori reflect on significant milestones in time.
TE PAE HIHIRI – Thursday at 9.30 PM from April 3: Māori Television’s leading bilingual sports commentator Te Arahi Maipi presents this studio-based sports show that reviews and previews all the action from the major sporting events.
KARAWHIUA – Friday at 8.30 PM from April 4: A war of wit and cunning! Tihini Grant presents this game show that combines tikanga Māori and traditional techniques with contemporary practices.
RUAHINE – Friday at 9.30 PM from April 4: Studio interviews with well-known Māori women who speak about their tikanga from their own tribal perspective.
For more information, go to Māori Television’s website www.maoritelevision.com
Ends
For images, interviews or further information, contact:
Vanessa Horan
Kaiwhakaputa (Publicist)
Māori Television
DDI: +64 9 539 7159
MOB: +64 21 928 007
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