12 January 2005
Entries Open For 2005 Maori Media Awards
Organisers of the second Maori Media Awards are urging Maori radio and television broadcasters throughout the country to
showcase their best work at this year's gala awards ceremony in March.
Member stations of the national federation of Maori radio stations - Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Maori o
Aotearoa - as well programme providers to the Maori radio network, the Maori Television Service and mainstream
television producers have until 5pm next Wednesday, January 19, to submit their entries.
Federation chairman Hone Harawira says the categories include best sports programme, best outside broadcast, best
rangatahi (youth) programme, best programme in any genre, best Maori language programme, best presenter, best reo Maori
television presenter (male and female), and most significant contribution to the industry. The feature award is for the
'Biggest Blooper' produced by a member station any time over the past 10 years.
The awards will be judged on factors such as listener appeal, entertainment value, audience participation, production
expertise and professionalism. Maori language entries will have a high clarity of diction, appropriate dialect, correct
pronunciation, strong presenter appeal and engaging programme content.
At the inaugural awards ceremony in 2004, Maori language radio programme producer Ruia Mai - part of the Mai Media group
owned by Auckland tribe Ngati Whatua - won four of the eight awards including Best Outside Broadcast, Best Maori
Language Programme, Best Presenter and Biggest Blooper. Minnie Westrupp from Te Reo Irirangi o Turanganui-a-Kiwa in
Gisborne and Joe Te Rito from Radio Kahungunu in the Hawkes Bay placed first equal for the most significant contribution
to the industry.
"Maori radio is now a part of the fabric of New Zealand society and its importance in maintaining a positive role for
the Maori language is clearly acknowledged," Hone Harawira says. "The Maori Media Awards is an opportunity to showcase
and celebrate the best of Maori radio and television broadcasting, the best people and their best work."
The awards ceremony will be held in Rotorua on March 19. Entry forms are available from www.irirangi.net
(whakaruruhau/panui) and from the federation on 04 473 0117, 027 242 4067 or e-mail betty@whakaruruhau.co.nz.
ENDS