Pūkana Launches Teen Talent Search

*14 MAHURU /SEPTEMBER 2011*

Pūkana Launches Teen Talent Search

Star Search discovered Justin Timberlake, the X-Factor found Leona Lewis and the Eurovision Song Contest skyrocketed Abba to fame and fortune. Yes, television made them famous – now pioneering Māori language children’s programme *PŪKANA *wants to provide rangatahi with a similar opportunity!

In its 13th year of production following a new season launch on Māori Television in February, *PŪKANA *seeks five talented singers from around the country to form a pop band.

The preliminary round begins this month (September 2011) with auditions in Palmerston North, Gisborne, Christchurch, Whangārei, Auckland and Rotorua. Details are available on the* PŪKANA* website: www.pukana.co.nz.

Producer Pania Papa says the *PŪKANA *team is searching the nation for talented young singers who can sing in te reo Māori for a new competition called 'Uru Whetū'.

Papa says the auditions will produce a rangatahi pop group similar to 'Aaria'. Formed in November 2000, Aaria found quick success after a nationwide search for talented, positive young Māori role models who could sing as well as converse in te reo Māori.

By 2001, the group had two New Zealand singles and both reached the top 20. ‘Kei A Wai Ra Te Kupu’ stayed on the charts for 12 weeks, peaking at 14, while ‘Cry No More’ lasted four weeks and peaked at seven.

Similarly, Uru Whetū is for 13 to 16-year-old, Māori-speaking rangatahi who are outstanding singers and performers.

"*PŪKANA *is travelling to six New Zealand centres to stage auditions for young talented singers who can sing in and speak te reo Māori.

"The five selected youth will then be brought to Auckland for a week of bonding, vocal coaching, rehearsing, choreography and styling with a view to recording a single and filming a video clip for release.”

*PŪKANA* is the work of Auckland-based Cinco Cine Film Productions – an award-winning independent film and television production company with a commitment to engage and train young Māori to write, present and produce television.

Originally called *‘TUMEKE’*, the show won a Qantas Media Award in 2003 and the TV Guide New Zealand Television Award in 1999 for best children’s programme – the first time a show entirely in Māori has taken out the mainstream award.

*PŪKANA *screens on Maori Television every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 6.00 PM as well as on Te Reo every weekday at 7.00 PM and TV3 every Sunday at 8.45 AM.

*Ends*

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