Double Dose of Pukana Xmas on Maori Television

PUBLICITY RELEASE
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 14 2006

Double Dose of Pukana Xmas on Maori Television

Popular award-winning Maori language children’s programme PUKANA is dishing up a double dose of festive season magic with two Christmas specials screening on Maori Television.

The first special – on Saturday December 16 at 4.00 PM – sees the team looking back at some of the show’s more memorable Christmas video clips from years gone by.

“We thought it would be a perfect opportunity for us to replay some of our popular video clips sung by past and present presenters as well as several guest artists whom have contributed to our PUKANA Christmas specials,” says producer/presenter Matai Smith.

“They’ve been sitting in our PUKANA archive so we thought we’d pull them out, give them a dust off and let everyone enjoy them once again.”

Featured artists include KORERO MAI actor and former Maori pop-stars group Aaria member, Hemi Peke, as well as rising star, Turanga Merito. There are also encore performances by some of the show’s much-loved characters including Kare Kiwaha and loveable kuia Bubu and Juju.

The second special is the annual PUKANA IN THE PARK CHRISTMAS CONCERT which screens on Saturday December 23 at 4.00 PM.

More than 2000 children and guests gathered at Tahaki Reserve in Auckland to join the PUKANA team and its impressive list of guest performers for Christmas carols performed entirely in the Maori language.

“This is the fourth year we’ve staged the event and it just keeps getting bigger and better each year,” says Matai. “The kids love coming to watch and they fully participate. The smiles on their faces make it all worthwhile.”

This year’s PUKANA IN THE PARK concert has a Pasifika theme. Guest performers include Jamoa Jam, Theo Va’a, the Tapene whanau, Turanga Merito and HAA presenters Whakaangi and Tumehe Rongonui as well as a special song from past PUKANA presenters Quinton Hita, Pirihira Hollings, Te Hamua Nikora, Reikura Kahi (nee Morgan) and Tumamao Harawira.

Make sure you join the current PUKANA team – Matai Smith, Taupunakohe Tocker, Marama Gardiner, Tiare Tawera and Te Atirau Paki – and see the two PUKANA Christmas specials first on Maori Television on Saturday December 16 at 4.00 PM and Saturday December 23 at 4.00 PM.

ENDS

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