Publicity Release
for Release Mon May 16 To Sun May 22
Kapa Haka, Clean Living And Country in the Mix for Entertainment Series Toru
Kapa haka, clean living and country are thrown in the mix for this week’s episode of TORU – Maori Television’s trifecta
entertainment series screening this Sunday May 22 at 5.30 PM.
TORU is a totally unique talent competition series with a twist, hosted by Waikato siblings Te Waipounamu, Te Manawaroa
and Tiare Teinakore. Production company Livingstone Productions sought out 27 groups of three people to perform for
three minutes on any three instruments of their choice for the series that aims to find the best group of three musos in
Aotearoa!
This week, a kapa haka group, a youth group and three sisters with a passion for country music take the limelight to
contest their skills and secure their place in the top three.
Hailing from Auckland, Pounamu Soldiers is a group made up of three passionate students from the Pounamu Performing Arts
School who are currently completing their diploma in performing arts. Jacob Kake, Katarena Potae-Harrison and Kani
Collier are pulling out the stops with a part dance, part song item that incorporates the key elements of traditional
Maori dance, weaponry and contemporary music for their item - Te Kai Kokiri Ata.
Next up, TORU swings over to Gisborne Boys High School mates Peter Grant, Jensen Noanoa and Tommy Le’au who have bonded
to form the group Learnerz. The boys are all members of a youth group in Gisborne called Higher Learning and take a
staunch stance for clean living in keeping with the group’s motto – NO Drugs, NO Suicide, NO Racism and NO Passengers.
After their recent performance at this year’s Pacifika festival in Auckland, the boys are bringing their positivity and
flavour to TORU this week to perform an original song entitled After Party.
Then, staying in Gisborne, TORU showcases the accomplished voices of sisters Te Wai, Parehuia and Rawinia Puia from
Whaataatutu. This group R.T.P. is a pure whanau affair and all three sisters have titles for regional and national
achievements tagged behind their names. Blending beautifully, the sisters are presenting a country / gospel number
entitled On Eagles Wings.
Who will take out the episode? Stay tuned to find out – TORU, every Sunday on Maori Television at 5.30 PM.
Ends
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR TORU
Censor : General Exhibition (G)
Duration : Half-hour, 13-part series
Language : Maori and English languages