Tainui Sports Specials Only on Maori Television

Publicity Release
Thursday November 2 2006

Tainui Sports Specials Only on Maori Television

An action-packed series showcasing the spirited sporting talent that competed at this year’s coronation commemorations for the Maori Queen – KORONEIHANA 2006 – premieres on Maori Television on Saturday November 18 at 6.00 PM.

Made by Woolf TV Productions, the reality-style series captures the camaraderie, competition and kaupapa of the event in May that marked the 40th year of the reign of Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu.

A total of six, half-hour episodes from November 18 to December 23 cover a range of sporting codes including indoor bowls, golf, netball, touch, rugby, rugby league and for the first time, power-pulling.

The series is presented by Maori Television’s Te Arahi Maipi who is affiliated to Tainui.

Producer Robbie Neha says this was to be the last koroneihana for Te Arikinui who was a huge supporter of the sports events. She passed away in August at age 75.

“In particular, she was a huge supporter of rugby league,” Mr Neha says. “She lived at Waahi Marae in Huntly just across the road from arguably Waikato’s league stronghold for many years – Taniwharau Rugby League Club – and the annual league showdown between the Taniwharau and Turangawaewae clubs was one of her favourite events at the koroneihana.

“Aside from rugby league, Te Arikinui – as well as participating in the kapa haka and formalities at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia – was often seen to wander the fields at Paterson Park across the road from the marae to enjoy the many sports on show.”

The first episode (Saturday November 18 at 6.00 PM) features indoor bowls followed by golf and netball in the second episode (Saturday November 25 at 6.00 PM) and touch and power-pulling in the third (Saturday December 2 at 6.00 PM).

Next is New Zealand Maori women’s and youth rugby league (Saturday December 9 at 6.00 PM), rugby’s Koroneihana Shield (Saturday December 16 at 6.00 PM), and finally, the coveted Tonga Mahuta Shield for rugby league (Saturday December 23 at 6.00 PM).

Tune in for a special sporting series, KORONEIHANA 2006, only on Maori Television from Saturday November 18 at 6.00 PM.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR KORONEIHANA 2006

Year 2006
Censor General Exhibition (G)
Duration 6 x 30-minute sports programme
Language Maori and English

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