Maorioke – The Excitement Is Building!

PUBLICITY RELEASE

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

Maorioke – The Excitement Is Building!

The excitement is building as the second to last semi-final of Maori Television’s popular nationwide talent show, MAORIOKE, airs this Friday November 30 at 8.30 PM.

This fourth series has seen over 500 hopefuls test their vocal talents in front of seasoned judges Whirimako Black, Brannigan Kaa and Betty-Anne Monga.

Just 25 have made it through to the semi final rounds, giving the judges another chance to evaluate the contestants.

At the end of the fifth semi-final (Friday December 7 at 8.30 PM), the judges will make the tough decision about which seven singers are through to the grand MAORIOKE final and in with a chance to take out the title and $10,000 cash prize.

The fourth group of five semi-finalists performing this Friday November 30 at 8.30 PM are:

KAPENE HOWARD, Rotorua: Kapene’s life is rich and full. He’s been blessed with seven beautiful children (age one to 16) and is a full-time student at Te Wananga o Aotearoa’s Maori performing arts course. If he hadn’t been born a natural singer, Kapene says he would love to act and be involved in drama. Kapene says the experience of auditioning for MAORIOKE has been invaluable – and if he won, he’d pay off his student loan.

BROGAN SHEEHAN, Christchurch: It was always fated that this 16-year-old lass would be an entertainer. With a musician father and a singing mum, it was inevitable she would take to the stage like a duck to water. Brogan tried out for MAORIOKE last year and made it through to the semi-finals – now she’s a year older and an awful lot wiser and thinks she has put the time and effort in for a top placing.

MATT WEPA, Rotorua: Matt’s dream is to write an emotive ballad for John Rowles to record – and have it go to number one internationally. His other dream would be to win MAORIOKE so he could pay off the CD he’s been working on. The decision to enter was an “opportunity far too good to miss” – and he gave the audition all he had with a stirring rendition of ‘I Could Of Danced All Night’ and ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’.

HE WAI, Porirua and Hastings: This trio of lovely lasses have a long way to travel for rehearsal – in fact, the distance is so great they only got together the day before the MAORIOKE auditions in Wellington. Lesley Pahuru and Renee Hawkins both come from Porirua while Moana Keefe is based in Hastings. Their musical tastes range from old school to contemporary. Lesley sees a distinct advantage in presenting in a group for MAORIOKE. “There’s the moral support, apart from anything else – and it gives us an ability to choose songs over a wider repertoire,” she says.

PURCELL TAKA, North Shore, Auckland: Cabinetmaker Purcell Taka had a surreal experience as a young boy. His uncle played back-up guitar for George Benson and young Purcell watched from the wings. It was a moment in time that was imprinted forever on his heart and soul. Purcell has carried that love of music with him and now finds an outlet for it in singing, arranging and composing. He’s married with a son (who turns two in November) and says his dream is to learn the technical side of music production.

Mauri Ora Productions – the makers of MAORIOKE – have held auditions in the major centres, allowing contestants the opportunity to travel in from smaller towns to try and dazzle the seasoned judging panel.

Join the best new singers in the country when the fourth semi-finals of MAORIOKE screen on Maori Television on Friday November 30 at 8.30 PM.

Ends

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