Candid Revelations On Maori Television

PUBLICITY RELEASE
JANUARY 25, 2008

Candid Revelations On Maori Television

Maori leaders who led, challenged, outraged and inspired share very personal stories never before made public on Maori Television’s surprising new series, E TU KAHIKATEA, premiering Wednesday February 20 at 8.00 PM.

Koro Wetere left school with zero qualifications, fled to the bush to escape an arranged marriage and became arguably the most influential Maori politician of his era.

He’s just one of the Maori leaders who candidly reveal what has never been made public in this new series. It’s a startling insight into the movers and shakers of the Maori world told by the leaders who lived it.

The Hon. Koro Wetere, Katerina Mataira, Professor Timoti Karetu, Selwyn Muru, Sir Peter Tapsell and Kaa Williams open this first series with a honesty that stunned even the producers.

“At times during filming we’d be thinking: ‘Did that just happen? Did they actually share that?’ ” says series director Ngahuia Wade of Te Noni Productions.

“It’s certainly not a This Is Your Life. It’s This Is How It Really Was and we were humbled just to be in the same room.”

Indeed, kaumatua grasped the opportunity to state for the record what they believed were their memorable moments – personal and behind the scenes.

* Koro Wetere yearned to be a minister of the church not a minister of the Crown.
* Katerina Mataira fell in love the moment she clapped eyes on her future husband.
* Timoti Karetu crossed the oceans for his big OE only to end up selling sheep
* Selwyn Muru can hear a tune once and play it on any instrument, including a grand piano
* Peter Tapsell learnt te reo Maori after he couldn’t understand a whanau who rushed into A&E – he operated, saved their Nanny and started learning
* Kaa Williams proudly admits she was brought up in a cave yet they were still the cleanest kids in school

Their calibre of reo and captivating revelations means there is no need for a presenter or narration.

Instead, the six half hour episodes are first person and go straight for the heart. From start to finish our leaders hold court.

“Loves, losses, lessons, wit and wisdom for the next generation, they cover it all,” says producer, Maramena Roderick.

“They were the navigators of their time who broke down barriers and set new horizons. Perhaps the most impressive revelation was not one of them perceived themselves to be leaders.”

Episode One: February 20, 8.00 PM
Language aficionado, Professor Timoti Karetu reveals his joie de vivre, the deepest love and loss of his life and the truth behind the taniwha image.

Episode Two: February 27, 8.00 PM
Our most prolific Maori author, Katerina Mataira, reveals how the nuns couldn’t tame her, partying with New Zealand ’s art elite and what finally convinced her to receive ta moko.

Episode Three: March 5, 8.00 PM
The Hon.. Koro Wetere reveals how he fled from an arranged marriage, never wanted to be a politician and what really happened behind the closed doors of the Beehive.

Join these special people on their inspiring journeys – E TU KAHIKATEA – premiering on Maori Television, Wednesday February 20 at 8.00 PM.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR E TU KAHIKATEA

Year: 2008
Censor: General Exhibition (G)
Duration: 6 x 30 minute documentary film
Language: Maori language with English language subtitles

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