Maori Television's blog

Thursday August 7 at 8.30 PM

Voted Best Sports Programme at last year’s Air New Zealand Screen Awards, HYUNDAI CODE is filmed live in front of a studio audience at Maori Television’s Auckland headquarters. Tawera Nikau and Jenny-May Coffin are joined by Warriors’ Wairangi Koopu and the ‘Brofessionals’ – aka Glen Osborne (Oz) and Matua Parkinson (Mutz) – for more news, inside stories and off-camera action with Kiwi sports stars excelling at home and abroad. (Repeats every Sunday at 4.00 PM).

Friday August 8 at 8.30 PM

With only weeks to go until the semi finals, time is running out for would-be singers to perform on in Maori Television’s live karaoke competition. Live from the channel’s Auckland studio, there’s top prize money up for grabs – $1000 in all the heats then $10,000 for the grand final winner – thus plenty of incentive for both budding and seasoned show-stoppers to turn up and have a go. Hosted by Te Hamua Nikora and Ben Baker.

Up-and-coming squash player Joelle King, surf lifesaving legend Cory Hutchings, and Auckland Blues Nick White and Onosa’i Auva’a join award-winning sports entertainment show HYUNDAI CODE this Thursday July 17 at 8.30 PM (repeats Sunday July 20 at 4.00 PM).

At 19, Joelle King’s swift rise through the squash ranks suggest her dream of going to number one is not just a dream, but entirely achievable. She has already won several age group titles, is currently ranked fourth in New Zealand, and in the last three years has also climbed 77 places in world rankings. This year she has played and trained all over the world, and plans to return overseas for further competition after the nationals in August, in a display of the athletic ability and determination that could be considered family traits – her big brother is former Chiefs player Regan King, now based in Wales and considered one of the best number 13s in the game.

Cory Hutchings has been in the limelight this year for his twinkling feet and graceful turns on Dancing with the Stars, but his choice in charity – the surf lifers – showed where his heart truly belongs. This life saving legend is a three-time World Surf Ironman Champion, in 1998, 2000 and 2002, and he also held the national title for more than a decade.

They are current Auckland Blues players and they’ve been selected to defend the Ranfurly Shield for Auckland in the Air NZ Cup. They are prop Nick White and flanker Onosa’I Auva’a, stalwarts in their side since 2006. Where White represents age and experience, Auva’a is known for his youth and flair, which has seen him included in New Zealand Under-19 and Under-21 sides, and in the Sevens team that won gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Rumour has it Auva’a is also a talented blues singer, and he has threatened to bring along his guitar when he appears in the studio for HYUNDAI CODE.

Voted Best Sports Programme at last year’s Air New Zealand Screen Awards, HYUNDAI CODE is an hour-long show – now in its fourth year – and filmed live in front of a studio audience at Maori Television’s Auckland headquarters. Tawera Nikau and Jenny-May Coffin are joined by Warriors’ Wairangi Koopu and the ‘Brofessionals’ – aka Glen Osborne (Oz) and Matua Parkinson (Mutz) – for more news, inside stories and off-camera action with Kiwi sports stars excelling at home and abroad.

Book your ringside seat for hard-case interviews and plenty of laughs with HYUNDAI CODE – screening on Maori Television this Thursday at 8.30 PM (repeats every Sunday at 4.00 PM).

Sunday July 27 at 8.30 PM

An inspirational history series that uses sound and visual archival material to bring the past back to the present. Tonight: Turangawaewae was the centre of many changes for Maoridom. Haare Williams and Merimeri Penfold talk about the opening of Turongo at Turangawaewae. Featuring the voices of Kingi Koroki and Princess Te Puea (English subtitles)

Sunday July 27 at 9.00 PM

Based on John Irving’s best-selling novel, A Widow for One Year, this film explores the complexities of love in all its brightest and most mysterious corners. Starring Jeff Bridges, Kim Basinger and Jon Foster.

Monday July 28 at 9.00 PM

Join Pio Terei as he visits coastal communities and hoists the anchor on Maori relationships with Tangaroa. Along with a lot of laughs and the inevitable tales of the ones that got away, Pio gets to ‘meet and eat’ with locals around the motu, who share their knowledge of fishing and collecting kaimoana.

Tuesday July 29 at 8.30 PM

Buchachi, a cook at an air force base, humbly accepts the military hierarchy that places the pilots at the top of the pyramid. Against the background of a fierce sing-out between the cooks and pilots during Independence Day celebrations at the base, a new soldier arrives who casts new light on the cook’s status. Buchachi, for the first time in his life, fights for his values.

Wednesday July 30 at 8.30 PM

In 2007 Reed Publishing Ltd celebrated 100 years of publishing in New Zealand. That same year the company was sold to Penguin and was forced to change their name to Raupo Publishing. This programme looks back on this iconic New Zealand family business and their huge contribution to Maori publishing. From iwi histories to dictionaries and publications on tikanga and myths, the documentary confronts the issues arising from a Pakeha company and Pakeha writers publishing matauranga Maori.

Thursday July 31 at 8.00 PM

New Zealand Kiwi’s captain and South Sydney powerhouse Roy Asotasi talks straight about making it in the NRL and how the toughest league competition in the world is getting tougher. James Tamou and AJ Taumata are in the Junior Kiwis camp as they prepare to battle the Junior Kangaroos in Wellington.

Friday August 1 at 8.30 PM

With only five heats to go before the semi-finals, the pressure is really on. Maori Television’s live karaoke show has top prize money up for grabs so there’s plenty of incentive for both budding and seasoned show-stoppers to turn up and have a go.