Musicians Honoured For Work On Maori Television Series

Monday, 2 April 2012

Musicians Honoured For Work On Maori Television Series

SONGS FROM THE INSIDE, Maori Television’s acclaimed new documentary series, has been brought to the attention of Parliament.

Now in its third week, the 13-part series takes four of the country’s leading musicians – Anika Moa, Maisey Rika, Warren Maxwell and Ruia Aperahama – inside two Wellington prisons to teach songwriting to inmates.

Last month, the musicians were acknowledged for their contribution to the series in a motion to Parliament by Labour List MP Charles Chauvel.

The motion states that the House “congratulates New Zealand musicians Anika Moa, Warren Maxwell, Maisey Rika and Ruia Aperahama for teaching songwriting at Rimutaka and Arohata Prisons, on the step-by-step music programme developed by Evan Rhys Davies”.

Mr Chauvel said the programme was a great initiative and that he wanted to ensure the artists’ participation was marked in a public way, such as on the Parliamentary Order Paper.

“I wish you all the best for continued success in the future,” he wrote in a letter to each of them.

SONGS FROM THE INSIDE producer Maramena Roderick said the artists and the entire team were humbled by the recognition.

"So many were part of this journey but it was our artists who stood on the front line with absolute strength, heart and humility.

“From the very beginning they were committed, rearranging their schedules, even flying home from overseas gigs to teach their classes inside the prisons,” she said.

“We were blessed and so is New Zealand. To have their work recognised from the top makes it even more special."

Maori Television General Manager of Programming Haunui Royal says SONGS FROM THE INSIDE represents television at its best.

“We are proud to have supported the series and we’re thrilled at the response to it both within New Zealand and overseas.”

SONGS FROM THE INSIDE screens every Sunday at 8.00pm on Maori Television. Past episodes are available online at www.maoritelevision.com.

ENDS

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