PUBLICITY RELEASE
Matariki Magic On Maori Television
As the skies are eclipsed by the dazzling sight of the Seven Sisters – or Pleiades star cluster – this June, so too is
Maori Television’s schedule in celebration of Matariki. As part of a special short season of programming, Maori
production house He Taonga Films presents a Matariki production – NGA KETE O TE MATAURANGA – on Monday June 13 at 8.30
PM.
Matariki – or the Maori New Year – is celebrated by Maori at different times each year, but always during mid to late
June. The screening of the NGA KETE O TE MATAURANGA on Maori Television is part of an entire channel commitment to
observing Matariki celebrations in its schedule during the period from Monday June 6 to Sunday June 19.
Presented by Amster Reedy and directed by Jan Wharekawa, the one-hour documentary introduces a host of Maori spiritual
and cultural practices by Matariki to the uninitiated. Starting with Te Taura Whiri chief executive officer Haami Piripi
presenting an overview of the event, further studio panel discussions amongst kaumatua and knowledgeable Maori hosted by
Reedy will be interspersed with field segments.
The late musical genius Hirini Melbourne and acclaimed Maori singer-songwriters Whirimako Black and Emma Paki each
contribute their musical interpretations, while tamariki, rangatahi and contemporary dance groups offer their artistic
takes on each of the seven celestial bodies.
From business to the garden to the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku, this rare insight into Matariki comes to the
channel from a range of Maoridom’s cultural tohunga.
The esteemed Maori authoritarian Amster Reedy is a fitting presenter for the documentary, having been spearheaded the
Maori Advisory Group for the New Zealand Olympic Committee to oversee the cultural identity of the teams that competed
at the Athens Games.
But for now, the games are over and a new year begins. Join Maori Television in celebration of the Maori New Year on NGA
KETE O TE MATAURANGA, this Monday June 13 at 8.30 PM.
Ends
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR NGA KETE O TE MATAURANGA
Year 2005
Censor Not rated
Duration One-hour documentary
Language Maori and English languages