Stay Cool With A Hot New Youth Show!
Tired of your teenager lolling on the sofa, complaining of boredom? Then tune them into Maori Television’s cool new
magazine show for youth, TU WERA, premiering on Friday July 7 at 8.00 PM.
TU WERA showcases everything that’s hot – right here and now in Aotearoa – including stories about the latest trends,
funkiest issues and coolest people. And there are plenty of laughs with its tongue-in-cheek look at youth culture.
The show brings together the best talent in music, sport, fashion and the arts, plus presenter Wake Mathews gets up
close and personal with our favourite sporting stars in a light-hearted ‘get to know you’ session over a plate of mean
kai.
Viewers should keep an eye out for themselves on screen in the Tahuna segment, where the TU WERA crew go out and about
with cameras.
And if cool korero is your thing, the Kupu Wera part of each episode brings some choice new words for you to be using.
PRESENTERS
WAKE MATTHEWS (NGA PUHI; NGAI TE RANGI)
Hailing from the Far North town of Kaitaia, Wake arrived at TU WERA as a seasoned radio presenter but fresh to the small
screen. Wake aka Dubstar is a well-known Hip-Hop artist, releasing the hit song ‘Cortina’ in 2005. He tackles the
‘what’s hot and not’ issues each week in the He Aru A He Wera Ranei segment.
PIP TE HIRA (TE RARAWA)
Hailing from the great Mount ‘Raskill’, Pip is an Auckland girl through and through. Talented both in front and behind
the camera, she took on the massive task of presenting and directing TU WERA. Pip is an avid sports person both as
spectator and participant, playing netball for Auckland and Samoa.
NAOMI BRADFIELD (NGATI POROU)
Multi-talented Naomi already presents Maori Television’s popular Cyberworld and is the voice of characters on various
Maori cartoon shows. A country girl at heart, Naomi braved the transition to the big city to pursue her dreams of
becoming a full-time performer.
AWANUI SIMICH-PENE (NGA PUHI; TAINUI)
Another director moonlighting in front of the camera, Awa has been directing PUKORO for Kura Productions, while gracing
the TV screen with her incredible smile. Another country girl, Awa was raised in Okaihau, before moving to Auckland to
realise her aspirations of working in film and television.
ANARU HETARAKA (NGA PUHI; WAIKATO; NGATI WHATUA)
Former bank clerk Anaru ran away with the TV circus to become TU WERA’s fifth and best dressed presenter. He fronts Kupu
Wera, the segment about the hippest new words. A passionate kapa haka performer, Anaru brings a wealth of knowledge in
Te Reo me ona Tikanga.
Get some cool with the crew and tune into the premiere of TU WERA on Friday July 7 at 8.00 PM
Ends