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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maorioke : The Final Countdown
They have warbled and sashayed across Maori Television screens for the past eleven weeks. Now, the eleven finalists
vying for the top spot as Maoridom’s best singer are sucking it up for the final episodes of MAORIOKE screening on
Sunday September 18 and September 25 at 8.00 PM.
MAORIOKE launched its second season on Maori Television on July 3. From as far north as Matauri Bay and as far south as
Waikowaiti, judges Brannigan Kaa and Whirimako Black have cast their expert eyes over the nation and given contestants
either the thumbs up or thumbs down to progress to the next level.
With the two final episodes now in sight, the grand MAORIOKE winner stands to win a recording contract with Doughboy
Records and a tour of the country’s five main centres to perform live gigs.
The first final screens on Sunday September 18 and features the last performances from Kerri-Anne Marumaru (Massey,
Auckland), Shem Martin (Otara, Auckland), Mihi Martin (Whangarei), Kereopa Reweti (Marton), Abigail Kaiawe (Titahi Bay,
Wellington) and Kemara Fuimaono (Lyall Bay, Wellington).
The second final continues on Sunday September 25 with performances from Karen Edwards (Whangarei), Issac Beach
(Gisborne), Toni Baird (Upper Hutt), Victor Sulfa (Papatoetoe, Auckland) and Shelley Karaitiana (Whakatane), before the
grand winner is named.
MAORIOKE producer Maraki Parata says the calibre of this season’s performers has been outstanding. “In our search to
find out second MAORIOKE winner we have never ceased to marvel at the outstanding range of talent out there, even in our
second season. Our eleven finalists this year are testament to the world-class level of entertainers we have in Maoridom
and all contestants should be extremely proud of themselves to have made it to the finals.”
MAORIOKE – the final countdown – begins on Sunday September 18 and concludes on Sunday September 15 at 8.00 PM.
Ends
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MAORIOKE
Year 2005
Duration 13-part, hour-long series
Censor General Exhibition (G)
Language Maori and English languages