Maori Television Announces Hosts for Te Matatini 2013

Monday December 17, 2012

Maori Television Announces Hosts for Te Matatini 2013

Maori Television is pleased to announce a top line up of hosts for its coverage of the 2013 Te Matatini National Kapa Haka Festival.

Te Matatini is the world’s largest celebration of Maori performing arts, featuring 41 kapa haka groups representing 13 regions, including Australia, who will take the stage from February 20- 24 at the International Stadium in Rotorua.

Award-winning presenter Matai Smith will be supported by Te Arahi Maipi, Annabelle-Lee Harris and Te Uira Paki to cover the four days of fierce competition.

Producer Brendon Butt says they are a fresh and interesting new line-up of hosts who have all had experience performing or presenting at Te Matatini.

Smith says it was always on his bucket list to host at the festival.

“I am really excited to be presenting what I call the Olympics of kapa haka. “Having been there and experienced the blood, sweat and tears in terms of preparation for the event, I know what the performers have been through,” he says.

“There is a lot of excitement and tension at the competition and it is our job as presenters to bring those at home a taste of what it’s all about.”

Maori Television will present a daily highlights package to screen from 8.00pm on Maori Television on February 21, 22 and 23, as well as live coverage of the last day of competition from 8.30am until 4.30pm.

Coverage will be available on demand on Maori Television’s website, www.maoritelevision.com after the broadcast.

Tune in to Maori Television – te papa kainga o te kapa haka (the home of kapa haka) from February 21 to 24 – for comprehensive coverage of Te Matatini 2013.

PRESENTER BIOGRAPHIES

Matai Smith (Rongowhakaata, Ngai Tamanuhiri, Ngati Kahungunu)
Matai Smith is not only an award-winning television presenter but also an exponent of kapa haka having performed for Aotearoa’s most successful kapa haka group Waihirere of Gisborne at the ‘Aotearoa Traditional Performing Arts Festival’ in 1994 and 2000. Matai has also performed with his whanau team Tu Te Manawa Maurea of Manutuke, Gisborne at the 2007, 2009 and 2011 Te Matatini Festivals.

Te Arahi Maipi (Waikato)
Te Arahi Maipi is the face of sports at Maori Television and an accomplished kapa haka performer. He grew up performing for Te Kura Kaupapa Maori a Rohe o Rakaumanganga in primary and secondary school as well as Te Kapahaka o Taniwharau. He performed at National Senior level with Te Manu Huia in 2000 as Kaitataki Tane and again in 2002. He has also performed at the last three Te Matatini Festivals with Nga Tumanako.

Annabelle Lee-Harris (Ngai Tahu, Ngati Kahungunu)
Annabelle Lee-Harris co-presented Maori Television’s coverage of Te Matatini 2011. A talented journalist and presenter, Annabelle joined Maori Television’s newsroom before the station launched in 2004. She currently works behind the camera as the producer of the current affairs show, Native Affairs, and in front on the camera as the host of the popular series Hoiho, which travels the country exploring Maori horse culture.

Te Uira Paki (Tuhoe, Tainui, Tuwharetoa)

Te Uira Paki is no stranger to the small screen, most recently as a presenter on Maori Television’s youth show, Haa, and previously on the children’s programmes Tikitiki and Koi. The 24-year-old has also performed alongside the Rongomai Kapa Haka group from Tuwharetoa at Te Matatini 2007 and for Tohi O Te Rangi at the Secondary School Nationals in 2006.

ENDS

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