Maori Television Set To Launch

Maori Television Set To Launch

The countdown is on for the launch of Mâori Television, New Zealand’s first national indigenous television channel this Sunday 28 March 2004.
To be held at the station’s base in Newmarket, Auckland, the launch comes 30 years after the first bid to beam te reo and tikanga Mâori into New Zealand’s living rooms through television.

The launch will be celebrated by more than 600 invited guests and general public at a dawn ceremony, powhiri and unveiling and broadcast live on Mâori Television.
The impending launch has brought with it eager anticipation from the hundreds of people responsible for getting the channel to air and a steady flow of messages of support from the public:

“Please pass on my very best wishes to the team at Mâori Television, our hopes and dreams as well as all our support are with you all. Ngâ mihi aroha, ngâ mihi, tautoko ki a koutou katoa.”

“Congratulations. I have just tuned my set in to your promo. The reception is first rate, here in Taradale, Heretaunga. I am an old man, Pakeha, and your promo brought back fond memories of the wonderful Mâori entertainers of past years. Your graphics are clear, refreshing, and artistic. I am impressed. You have all done a wonderful job. Go well Mâori TV. I will watch regularly.”

“Ngâ mihi ki a koutou e poipoi nei I o tatou reo rangatira, ano na ko te tikanga me ngâ rawa o tea o Mâori. E hihiko ana te hinengaro, e kapakapa ana te manawa I a matou e tatari ana. Tautoko, tautoko, ka mau te wehi, akuanei ka ea.”

Launch day will see Mâori Television on air at 6.00 am with live coverage of the dawn blessing ceremony. This involves karakia, a walk-through of the studio facility, and whaikorero.

The dawn ceremony coverage will be followed by the documentary – Tâtau Tâtou (The Making of Mâori Television), and live footage of the powhiri and unveiling ceremony. Viewers will also get the chance to meet some of the team at Mâori Television and enjoy a range of programmes specially selected for the launch day:

MÂORI TELEVISION SCHEDULE - SUNDAY 28 MARCH 2004

6.00 AM KARAKIA (DAWN CEREMONY)

8.00 AM TATAU TATOU Documentary on the making of Maori Television

9.30 AM POWHIRI AND UNVEILING CEREMONY – Live

11.30 AM KANOHI KI TE KANOHI Te Hamua Nikora meets the team of Maori Television.

12.00 PM KAI TIME ON THE ROAD: PRAWNS Hosts Pete Peeti and Te Hamua Nikora explore, celebrate and showcase the rich natural kai resources of Aotearoa. First stop – Wairakei Prawn Farm, home of the Malaysian Prawn.

12.30 PM MAU MAHARA: BEST BITS OF BILLY T JAMES A collection of fine moments from the TV career of New Zealand's late comic genius, Billy T. James.

1.30 PM HE RARANGA KORERO: WHINA: MOTHER OF THE NATION A look into the life of the late Dame Whina Cooper, a woman who became lovingly known as "Te Whaea o te Motu".

2.30 PM KOI A half hour children’s Maori language programme featuring upbeat songs and dance.

3.00 PM T SISTAZ: TAUIRA PAI A half hour "info-tainment" show promoting Maori locations, organisations and people, presented by the T Sistaz.

3.30 PM MOKO TOA 1 (MOVIE) Part 1 of this animation feature. As he travels to his mystical homeland of Hawaiki, Hori is caught up in the battle between the forces of light and darkness – a battle that could end in the destruction of the world.

5.00 PM L.I.P.S (LOCKING INTO PACIFIC SOUND) Weekly Top 10 Maori and Pacific Island music video show. Hosted by Te Awanui Reeder.

5.30 PM KAPA HAKA Hinewehi Mohi presents a showcase of the best of traditional and contemporary kapa haka in Aotearoa.

6.00 PM THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH A documentary about the aboriginal fishing grounds surrounding Stradbroke Island off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

6.30 PM KANOHI KI TE KANOHI Meeting the people who make Maori Television a reality.

7.00 PM TATAU TATOU A documentary which traces the history of the making of Maori Television.

8.00 PM TE KAEA A one-hour launch day Maori News special.

9.00 PM NGATI (MOVIE) A young Australian GP returns to the East Coast of the North Island in the late 1940s and discovers his Maori roots. Starring Wi Kuki Kaa and Judy McIntosh. 1987.

10.30 PM CLOSEDOWN
Mâori Television’s Acting Chief Executive, Ani Waaka, says people will see an outstanding calibre of programmes on Maori Television.

“Maori television and film makers undoubtedly produce world class programmes and we are proud to be showcasing their work,” says Ms Waaka. “The channel is ready to take its place in New Zealand broadcasting history.”

Ms Waaka says Maori Television will launch only ten months after Parliament passed the Maori Television Services Bill enabling the channel to become a legal entity. She says it’s a remarkable achievement for any organisation within the television industry and hopes New Zealanders in general will recognise this.

“Maori Television will be a place that all New Zealanders can go for a window into the world of Maori. Viewers of our promotion tapes have seen a glimpse of the uniqueness of our programmes. There is much more to come and we look forward to the positive contribution the channel will make to te reo me nga tikanga Maori, and to enriching the fabric of New Zealand society.”
Ends

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