Taonga: Treasures Of Our Past On Maori Television

PUBLICITY RELEASE
WEDNESDAY MAY 23 2007

Taonga: Treasures Of Our Past On Maori Television

A collection of historical Maori stories of romance, intrigue, murder, survival and heroism feature in TAONGA: TREASURES OF OUR PAST premiering on Maori Television on Wednesday May 30 at 8.00 PM.

Letters, manuscripts, photos, artefacts, heirlooms and family stories provided the starting point for each episode in this 10-part series which uses drama and documentary to retell precious tales from New Zealand's past.

Produced by Auckland-based Greenstone Pictures, TAONGA: TREASURES OF OUR PAST stars well-known Kiwi actors such as Rawiri Paratene, Taungaroa Emile, John Leigh, Ian Mune and Miriama McDowell who bring to life each character's distinct story.

Til Death Us Do Part: Oha and Albie Bennett - Wednesday May 30 at 8.00 PM: An incredible tale of two coins, a soldier's passion and one woman's faith that would never die. This true World War II story tells of a love that crossed the divide of country, war and Maori tradition.

Warrior Priestess: Rangitopeora - Wednesday June 6 at 8.00 PM: A ruahine or priestess, Rangitopeora was a fearsome warrior who fought in battle beside her uncle, the mighty Te Rauparaha, and had a crucial role to play in fighting for her tribe's survival in both the Maori and Pakeha worlds.

A Soldier's Story: Arapeta Awatere - Wednesday June 13 at 8.00 PM: A commander of the legendary Maori Battalion, Awatere was a distinguished Maori leader, poet, linguist and family man - so why did he spend his last years in Auckland's Mt Eden Prison, convicted of murder?

Lucy Lord - Wednesday June 20 at 8.00 PM: Forever branded as a traitor and spy, Lord guided British troops into hostile territory where the enemy were her own hapu, including an uncle, feared Maori general, Titokowaru. A Maori woman fights for her life against her own people.

Piracy in the Pacific - Wednesday June 27 at 8.00 PM: A routine boat trip from the Chatham Islands to Christchurch in 1940 turns into a terrifying 52 days of captivity on a German naval vessel for Hetty Idiens and her whanau - the first prisoners of war from the Pacific.

Sir Maui Pomare - Wednesday July 4 at 8.00 PM: New Zealand's first Maori doctor fought for the very survival of his people, a race that many believed was doomed to extinction. His letters and diaries are a reminder of a life's achievement, dedicated to the salvation of his people.

Sorcerer and the Saint: Guide Sophia - Wednesday July 11 at 8.00 PM: Amidst one of New Zealand's most violent volcanic eruptions, Te Paea Hinerangi - known to many as Guide Sophia - would emerge a tower of strength and courage for the survivors.

To Hang Or Not To Hang? Penetito Hawea - Wednesday July 18 at 8.00 PM: In the late 1860s, Maori teenager Penetito Hawea was implicated in one of Aotearoa's most sensational murders, the ritual killing of Anglican minister Karl Volkner.

Ngataua Omahuru - Wednesday July 25 at 8.00 PM: A five-year-old Maori child wrenched from a world of armed conflict finds himself plunged into an alien European world of privilege, to become the adopted son of a New Zealand Prime Minister.

Bone Collector - Wednesday August 1 at 8.00 PM: The pillaging of sacred Maori burial grounds for treasure was a dangerous undertaking that almost cost Austrian collector Andreas Rieshek his life. He would gain the trust of Maori and then with ruthless disregard, he would betray a nation.

Snapshots across 150 years of New Zealand history through the eyes of Maori who lived it, TAONGA: TREASURES OF OUR PAST screens on Maori Television every Wednesday at 8.00 PM from May 30.

Ends

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