PUBLICITY RELEASE
SUNDAY MARCH 9 2008
Maori Television Unveils New Reo Maori Channel Name
New Zealand’s first ever 100 per cent Maori language television channel will be called ‘Te Reo’ – which literally means
‘the language’.
The new channel will initially broadcast three hours a day, seven days a week, during the prime time hours of 8.00 PM to
11.00 PM from Friday March 28 on Freeview channel 24 and also on SKY Digital.
Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the launch of Te Reo is another milestone in language revitalisation
initiatives to secure the future of the Maori language.
Staff, stakeholders and delegates at the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Conference will attend a dawn ceremony
at Maori Television’s Auckland studio on Friday March 28 before the channel’s first, live-to-air broadcast from the gala
dinner of the conference at SKYCITY Convention Centre later that night.
“Te Reo builds on the values established with the birth of New Zealand’s indigenous television broadcaster four years
ago,” Mr Mather says. “It also furthers our mission to play a major role in revitalising language and culture that is
the birthright of every Maori and the heritage of every New Zealander.”
Schedule highlights include:
WHARE TAPERE – Sunday at 8.00 PM from March 30: Studio-based show – fronted by kapa haka enthusiast Tamati Waaka – that
explores the dynamics of kapa haka through discussion with special guests. Learn and appreciate the stories behind the
moves, the songs and the people.
TE WAO TUTURU – Sunday at 8.30 PM from March 30: Natural history documentaries from throughout the world – reversioned
into the Maori language.
TE TEPU – Monday at 9.30 PM from March 31; repeats Thursday at 9.30 PM from April 3: Current affairs show where
prominent kaumatua as well as the country’s best practitioners of te reo Maori share their views on local, national and
international issues with presenter Waihoroi Shortland.
TE PATAKA KORERO – Wednesday at 9.30 PM from April 2; repeats Thursday at 9.00 PM from April 3: Haare Williams presents
this inspirational history series that uses sound and visual archival material to bring the past back to the present.
Kaumatua and well-known Maori reflect on significant milestones in time.
TE PAE HIHIRI – Thursday at 9.30 PM from April 3: Maori Television’s leading bilingual sports commentator Te Arahi Maipi
presents this studio-based sports show that reviews and previews all the action from the major sporting events.
KARAWHIUA – Friday at 8.30 PM from April 4: A war of wit and cunning! Tihini Grant presents this game show that combines
tikanga Maori and traditional techniques with contemporary practices.
RUAHINE – Friday at 9.30 PM from April 4: Studio interviews with well-known Maori women who speak about their tikanga
from their own tribal perspective.
For more information, go to Maori Television’s website www.maoritelevision.com
ENDS