Publicity Release
Friday December 8 2006
Maori Television Revisits Reo Maori Documentaries
A three-part documentary series presented by Timoti Karetu looking at the renaissance of the Maori language – HE WHARE
KORERO – screens in Maori Television’s archival slot from Wednesday December 27 at 9.30 PM.
Accomplished film and television producer Tainui Stephens (Te Rarawa) fronts the fourth series of HE RARANGA KORERO
which includes studio-based interviews with contemporary commentators at the end of each episode.
In the first episode of HE WHARE KORERO (Wednesday December 27 at 9.30 PM), Stephens interviews Robert Newsom followed
by academic Mike Hollings in the second (Wednesday January 3 at 9.30 PM) and current Maori Language Commissioner Haami
Piripi in the third (Wednesday January 10 at 9.30 PM).
Directed by Stephens, HE WHARE KORERO is presented by eminent Tuhoe academic, Timoti Karetu, and offers unrivalled
insights in the past, present and future of the Maori language. On each episode, Professor Karetu explores the metaphor
of ‘te whare korero’ (‘house of language’) to present the story of reo Maori.
A range of iwi representatives are also interviewed including Rewa Maihi, Anaru Kupenga, Derek Lardelli, Te Huirangi
Waikerepuru, Mereana Hond, Taiarahia Black, Ngahinaturae Te Uira, Waihoroi Shortland, Quinton Hita, Wiremu Tashai, Hiria
Tumoana, Hana O’Regan, Ngarimu Daniels, Patara Berryman, Hohi Rangi and Hirini Melbourne.
Professor Karetu has been a tireless advocate for the preservation and development of reo Maori for many years. The
country’s inaugural Maori Language Commissioner in 1987 – the year Maori became an official language of New Zealand –
Professor Karetu is executive chair of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust.
Revisit archival documentaries in the new millennium on Maori Television in HE RARANGA KORERO every Wednesday at 9.30
PM.
ENDS