Maori Television Unveils Festive Season Specials

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

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