Talk Your Way to $10,000 – Only on Maori TV!

PUBLICITY RELEASE
AUGUST 20, 2007

Talk Your Way to $10,000 – Only on Maori Television!

Maori Television’s most intriguing reality television series – WAKA REO – is back on air for a third series on Sunday October 2 at 8.00 PM.

WAKA REO is reality television at its best: tears, tantrums and laughter are the order of the day as 14 contestants struggle to come to terms with not only living with each other but perhaps the greatest struggle of all – learning te reo Maori in eight weeks.

Each week, they will be subjected to a new set of physical and mental challenges that will test their endurance, tolerance and self-preservation techniques. Each contestant will have to avoid the pitfalls of weekly elimination to survive the competition and take out the $10,000 prize.

How will they fare as they grapple with home sickness, sleeping on the floor of Rapaki Marae in Banks Peninsula for two months with no access to email, no telephones and isolated from whanau and friends?

Produced for Maori Television by Ngai Tahu Communications, WAKA REO is presented by Sheree Waitoa (Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata, Ngati Raukawa). “WAKA REO really rocks the definition of reality television – Maori language is the winner here,” says Ngai Tahu Communications executive producer Whetu Fala.

Only one contestant can win $10,000 – but they will all share the chance to learn te reo Maori me nga tikanga. On the show, each contestant chooses a Maori name for themselves, ensuring their eight week immersion is a complete experience. Meet the contestants from WAKA REO:

Aylsa (Manawa): Aylsa runs the YHA in Whangamata and says there is more to her than meets the eye – do not to let her physique fool you!

Dan (Tohora): Hailing from Alexandra, Dan is a Department of Conservation ranger who loves a challenge.

Raniera (Te Iti Kahurangai): An 18-year-old Kaiapoi student, Raniera yearns to be an actor and take out the competition.

Kelly-Anne (Ngahere): Kelly-Anne is a Masters student from Christchurch who likes to get along with people.

Sarah (Hera): Also from Christchurch, Sarah is a bar manager who’s a very upfront person – but does take things to heart.

Vanessa (Kaihoe): A Mt Cook hostel manager originally from Twizel who describes herself as a true kiwi.

Yasmin (Patea): The 17-year-old student from Christchurch is willing to put herself in challenging situations.

Desmond (Marino): This Christchurch student describes himself as a ‘hoarding meglomaniac’. This could get interesting.

TJ (Haripuwhe): The 20-year-old musician says he is a pretty ‘straight-up’ sort of guy. TJ also hails from Christchurch.

Anatia (Kataraina): Not backward in coming forward, this 22-year-old retail worker from Rangiora says her three best attributes are her mouth, her opinions and herself!

Jamal (Te Rakaha): A self confessed night owl, Jamal is a Christchurch DJ who may find intensive learning a struggle during daylight hours.

Alisha (Kahukura): A determined young Kaiapoi mother, Alisha wants to win the cash for her family.

Pania (Kairuku): From Christchurch, Pania is a 30-year-old mother of three whose father wanted her to learn his native tongue.

Lisa (Uepoto): Self described as geeky, outgoing and happy, Lisa is a tourism worker based in Queenstown.

See what it will take to turn an ordinary New Zealander into a te reo Maori speaker and winner of $10,000 when WAKA REO premieres on Maori Television on Sunday October 2 at 8.00 PM.

Ends

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR WAKA REO

Year 2007
Censor General Exhibition (G)
Duration 13 x 30-minute programmes
Language Maori and English languages

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ENDS

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