Throng

Saturday December 26 at 5.00 PM on Maori Television

A special, behind-the-scenes peak at the experience of auditioning and making it through to the roopu kaiwaiata. Plus, meet the co-hosts and take a look back on some highlights from the series.

Roland Williams sang way beyond his years, a tune released almost 20 years before he was born, to take top honours on Friday night in the live grand final of Maori Television’s hit singing show, Homai Te Pakipaki.

Williams, 18, gave a silky rendition of Me And Mrs Jones, originally released by Billy Paul, again showing his preference for ‘old school’ classics, to win the 2009 title, and $10,000 prize money.

“They say song choice is everything, and for this singer, old school has proven to be the right choice every time,” says the show’s producer, Erina Tamepo.

SPECIAL, Friday October 2 at 10.30 PM on Maori Television

A look behind the scenes at one of Maori Television's best-loved shows. See what the competitors see, and what it's really like to take part in this dynamic, live, interactive karaoke series. For many people who get through, it's a once in a lifetime experience performing live for the nation, and hopefully be 'discovered'. For others, it's a chance to make some money. Some come though they may be going through trauma in their lives, and performing is their opportunity to lift themselves out of that heavy space.

Friday October 2 at 8.30 PM, replay Saturday October 3 at 5.30 PM on Maori Television

Maori Television's favourite live karaoke competition hits the home straight! Hosted by Te Hamua Nikora. Tonight: the cream of series three returns for the live grand final, as10 finalists take their shot at $10,000 prize money. Performers will need to work hard to impress the folks at home, as it is viewer text votes that will decide the ultimate winner of this heart-warming and entertaining competition.

Friday September 18 at 8.30 PM on Maori Television

The first of the semi-finals kicks of tonight! With a style and flavour all its own - and the one and only Te Hamua Nikora as its host - this live singing competition has built up a large and faithful following since premiering in May. Now the show hits the business end of the competition. This week heat winners from weeks 1-10 return, to vie for a spot in the grand final on October 2. Filmed in front of a studio audience at Maori Television's Auckland base, viewers' votes will once again decide who will go through to compete for the title of HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI winner 2009 - and $10,000.

It all comes down to this.

After hundreds of live performances, thousands given out in winners’ prize money and tens of thousands of viewer text votes, the heats for Maori Television’s popular Friday night live karaoke show, HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI, are coming to a close. The semi-finals, on September 18 and 25 at 8.30 PM, will whittle down 20 singers to the top 10. The grand final will be held on October 2, with $10,000 prize money up for grabs.

It was Che August, an IT guy from Murupara, who kicked off season three of the cult show, with a heat win back in May. Throughout the winter months, we’ve had such worthy contenders as Henderson mother-of-six Anita Garland, Hamilton’s ‘internet sensation’ Dane Moeke, and Waitara missionary Michael Kettle, to name a few.

Also on Saturday August 29 at 5.30 PM on Maori Television

A show with a style and flavour all its own, this live singing competition has grown a large and faithful following over the last two series, from the amazing talent that turns up to audition every week to the dedicated viewers that tune at home. Filmed in front of a studio audience at Maori Television's Auckland base, performers travel with their supporters from all around the motu to be part of the fun, entertain the crowd - and have a crack at winning the hearts and text votes of the audience. The irrepressible, one and only Te Hamua Nikora is back as host, with side support coming this year from past HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI winners, who made their names in previous series of the hit show. Viewers' votes will once again decide at the end of the night who will win the weekly prize of $1,000, plus the chance to compete in the grand final for $10,000.

Also on Saturday August 15 at 5.30 PM on Maori Television

A show with a style and flavour all its own, this live singing competition has grown a large and faithful following over the last two series, from the amazing talent that turns up to audition every week to the dedicated viewers that tune at home. Filmed in front of a studio audience at Maori Television's Auckland base, performers travel with their supporters from all around the motu to be part of the fun, entertain the crowd - and have a crack at winning the hearts and text votes of the audience. The irrepressible, one and only Te Hamua Nikora is back as host, with side support coming this year from past HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI winners, who made their names in previous series of the hit show. Viewers' votes will once again decide at the end of the night who will win the weekly prize of $1,000, plus the chance to compete in the grand final for $10,000.