PUBLICITY RELEASE
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21 2006
Maori Television Unveils Festive Season Specials
Maori Television is decking the studio with boughs of pohutukawa as it gears up for a bumper package of programming to
celebrate Christmas.
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 – 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. The second special is
the annual PUKANA IN THE PARK CHRISTMAS CONCERT which screens on Saturday December 23 at 4.00 PM.
This year’s PUKANA IN THE PARK concert has a Pasifika theme with more than 2000 children and guests gathering at
Auckland’s Tahaki Reserve for Christmas carols performed entirely in the Maori language. 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.
Maori Television’s community events show MA TATOU takes a hardcase trip down memory lane for its Christmas Eve special
on Sunday December 24 from 6.30 PM to 7.00 PM. Presenters Te Hamua Nikora and Veeshayne Patuwai will reflect and rejoice
with special guests they have met over the past year plus a smorgasbord of delicious kai is on the menu.
Next, Maori Television’s popular panel show ASK YOUR AUNTIE gears up for its Christmas Eve special on Sunday December 24
from 8.00 PM to 9.00 PM. Host Ella Henry will be joined by her rotating panel of advisers for a one-hour special which
will incorporate the Aunties’ no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is wisdom related to Christmas subjects. As well as answering
letters from celebrity guests, the Aunties will sing Christmas carols accompanied by Cook Island band Vaimutu. “We'll
also get to venture outside of the studio to see some of the Aunties in their everyday life and meet the Aunties'
Aunties – the people they turn to for advice in their hours of need,” says producer Kim Muriwai.
Then, Maori Television presents its annual Christmas extravaganza – TE HARINUI 2006 – on Christmas Day, Monday December
25 from 8.00 PM to 10.00 PM. The two-hour show of song and spiritual celebration is being billed as a day of ‘music,
musing and reflection’. Producer Erina Tamepo says the aim is to remember the reason for the season. “This will be an
interdenominational celebration of the day that changed the world, from the uplifting and energised renditions of
Christmas song and hymns by choirs to the inspirational readings and musings on Christmas from clergy, presenters and
invited manuhiri. Blended into our spiritual theme will be highlights from our past Christmas shows including
performances from Nanny Juju and Bubu, T Sistaz, Awanui Reeder, Ben Tawhiti, Ruia and Brannigan Kaa.”
Finally, COASTING THROUGH THE NIGHT is Maori Television’s New Year’s Day special on Monday January 1 from 8.00 PM to
10.00 PM. The two-hour musical extravaganza will use footage of the very best acts from the channel’s popular music show
COAST over the past three years.
Catch a bumper package of programming throughout the Christmas season on Maori Television!
ENDS