East Coast Health Gets Real on Maori Television

Publicity Release
Wednesday May 31 2006

East Coast Health Gets Real on Maori Television

The beautiful East Coast is the backdrop for Maori Television’s compelling new reality series NGATI POROU HAUORA which follows health professionals as they tackle Maori health issues (premieres on June 18 2006 at 5.00 PM).

NGATI POROU HAUORA is produced by Butobase Ltd - the same team that went up North to create popular series Hauora Hokianga for Maori Television.

This time, the 13-part reality show follows Ngati Porou health providers on the East Coast and reveals the relationships between practitioner and patient, and the personal dramas that take place in Ngati Porou country.

The series focuses on the many services that are provided for the Maori community, such as GP, rural health and community-based care.

But NGATI POROU HAUORA doesn’t shy away from the gritty realities of looking after the people of the East Coast, including bad weather, lack of doctors and social problems.

Producer Megan Douglas says the show is strongly driven by the health professionals who agreed to be filmed as they worked.

“These are the personal stories of dedicated and hard-working team members, providing care for a wide and often remote area. They are full committed to making sure the unique individual needs of the patients are met,” says Douglas. “They draw strength and pride from the knowledge they are Ngati Porou caring for their own - but it’s far from easy.

“There are serious issues facing the East Coast, like a shortage of doctors and few resources for mental health patients. The doctors, midwives, nurses and specialists often have to drive long distances on washed-out roads. Despite all that, they are determined to give their patients the best possible health care.”

The first episode of NGATI POROU HAUORA introduces viewers to the stunning landscape and coastline of the East Coast.

Cameras follow Tolaga Bay’s well-known GP Paratene Ngata as he consults with patients in te reo Maori. Also, mental health specialist Emere Hohapata visits a client suffering from paranoid schizophrenia in Ruatoria. The episode also features the annual Pa Wars tournament when Ngati Porou hapu compete for supremacy in sports and games.

NGATI POROU HAUORA screens on Maori Television on Sundays at 5.00 PM, starting on Sunday June 18 2006.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR NGATI POROU HAUORA

Year 2006
Censor G
Duration 13 x 30-minute series
Language English and Maori

ENDS

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