PUBLICITY RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cruise Down To Coast : New Night, New Season
It’s back! Maori Television music series COAST makes a live return to Maori Television’s studios on Thursday nights at
9.00 PM. (Note to media : Coast premieres on Thursday April 7 at 9.00 PM)
COAST is Maori Television’s urban music show dedicated to showing a diverse range of live studio performances, field
reports, interviews and artist profiles over an exhilarating 1.5 hours.
Switching from Friday nights to Thursday nights in its new season, the show is now taking a new direction to appeal to
the younger generations by screening on Thursday nights – aka ‘The New Friday’!
COAST welcomes back its studio audience for the return of its live show with a sizzling season premiere line-up,
including hip-hop master Savage, hot MCs No Artificial Flavours, soul-funk fusion experts Open Souls, Pacific Island
funk outfit Tha Feelstyle, the irrepressible DJ Logikal and the gravity-defying moves of the Dziah Dance Crew.
Also in for a second bout this year is seasoned host Brent Mio. Brent doubles as the national promotions co-ordinator
and radio personality for leading Auckland radio station Mai FM and has his finger on the pulse when it comes to all
things fresh and musical.
Brent is joined this season in the presenter seat by new face Kara Rickard. Kara – the granddaughter of Eva Rickard –
makes her debut as a television host coming off the back of working at Auckland-based production company Butobase.
“I’ve been working in the television industry behind the camera for the past year, and I thought it might be fun to step
in front of one. After watching Coast last year, I knew the role would be fun with a few challenges thrown in the mix,”
she says.
Well versed in the Maori language and the youngest female kyokushin black belt in Aotearoa, Kara brings spunk, energy
and a penchant for fine music to this season’s line-up on COAST.
“I’m really passionate about music and I want to share this enthusiasm with viewers. I’d also like to see Coast become a
show that not only promotes music, but also uses te reo Maori in a fun and engaging way. It’s important to promote te
reo Maori in a contemporary context so that rangatahi can relate to it,” she adds.
COAST will also see this year more in-depth field reports from roving reporter / MC Taaz. Taaz is a former member of
staunchly Maori hip hop outfit Dam Native and currently spins his rhymes with guest group No Artificial Flavours. His
credentials are vast, having opened and emceed for major international acts including Linkin Park and Bone
Thugs-n-Harmony, and he now brings his infinite knowledge of beats to his new role as a field reporter for the series’
new season.
Broadcast from the purpose-built state-of-the-art studio with walls that open out onto the street, COAST is calling all
to the dance floor!
Cruise down to Maori Television at 9-15 Davis Crescent, Newmarket and get your groove on with the return of COAST – live
and direct every Thursday night at 9.00 PM.
Ends