Survive Aotearoa Starts This Week on Maori Television

Tuesday September 17, 2013

Survive Aotearoa Starts This Week on Maori Television

Almost every week in New Zealand, we hear stories of missing hunters, lost trampers, injured skiers or marooned boaters. Often, those who are missing or injured lack the basic survival skills to get them to safety.

SURVIVE AOTEAROA, Maori Television’s new survival show which starts this Thursday, September 19 at 7.30pm, aims to change that by teaching people how to get out of life-threatening situations.

In each of the 13 episodes, former Special Forces soldiers Chris Kumeroa and Barrie Rice demonstrate a set of survival skills specific to the circumstances they find themselves in, including an emergency landing on the top of the Southern Alps and getting stranded while out SCUBA diving.

In the first episode, the pair are horseback hunting on the Whanganui River when they become separated. Their mission is to find each other and then get back to civilisation, demonstrating techniques for tracking, making a splint and building a shelter along the way.

Producer Fiona Apanui-Kupenga, from Wellington-based Te Amokura Productions, said: “It has been interesting to see every week in the news “lost hunters, skiers” and other similar situations to the scenarios we’ve depicted.”

“The boys have really stressed the importance of being prepared when you venture outdoors.”

Ms Apanui-Kupenga said each episode also introduces local iwi, who share their survival techniques, particular plants/rongoa that are special to the area and the environmental signs people need to be aware of.

Maori Television general manager of programming Haunui Royal said the idea for SURVIVE AOTEAROA originated with Maori Television, following the success of similar “outdoorsy” programmes such as HUNTING AOTEAROA and TANGAROA WITH PIO.

“Programmes about Aotearoa’s rugged bush and terrain really resonate with our viewers and the significant public interest around New Zealand’s safety record on sea and land,” Mr Royal said.

“SURVIVE AOTEAROA is a tremendous way to inform New Zealanders about how they can be better prepared when they are out boating or tramping and Barrie and Chris have done this in an entertaining way that is consistent with Maori tikanga and te reo.”

SURVIVE AOTEAROA is proudly sponsored by Waiariki Institute of Technology and premieres on Maori Television this Thursday, September 19 at 7.30pm.

ENDS

Episodic Billings

1: September 19, Ko Au Te Awa: Whanganui

2: September 26, Te Ao o Tangaroa – Surviving at Sea: Kapiti

3: October 3, Te Haere Ma Raro – Hiking: Tararua Ranges

4: October 10, Ka Totohu te Waka – A Sunken Kayak: Abel Tasman, Adele Island

5: October 17, Nga Maunga Whakahi – Mountain Survival: Southern Alps

6: October 24, Motoka Iti Rawa E - One Car, One night: West Coast

7: October 31, Te Hukapapa – A Winter Wonderland: Mt Ruapehu

8: November 7, Rarohenga – The Underworld: Waitomo

9: November 14, Ka Ngaua Te Makariri – Surviving the Cold: Mt Tongariro

10: November 21, Kua Whati Te Poti – A Broken Down Boat: Mou Waho

11: November 28, Te Ara tipuna – 4WDriving - Hikurangi

12: December 5, Ka Rere, Ka Karo – Escape and Evasion: Rimutaka Forest Park

13: December 12, Ka Rere, Ka Karo – Escape and Evasion: Rimutaka Forest Park

ENDS

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