Throng

Maori Television is keen to hear from anyone planning to hold their own memorial service for ANZAC Day 2010.

“We are putting out the call to hear from people out in the community organising services and events with a bit of a difference,” says Kotahi Te Wairua – ANZAC Day 2010 executive producer Ross Jennings. “Some groups and individuals may choose to remember the fallen their own way, and outside of the more formal wreath laying ceremonies. Those are the people we hope will make contact.”

The special commemorative services will feature in the channel’s all-day ANZAC Day broadcast on Sunday April 25 2010.

The number of visits to Maori Television’s revamped, bilingual website has trebled in the last year – and overseas viewers are driving much of the growth.

Visits from within New Zealand to what is believed to be one of the country’s first bilingual media sites have nearly doubled since March last year, when a revamp gave it a fresh new look and boosted the quality, quantity and breadth of live and on-demand programming. The unique site now holds up to 300 hours of authentically New Zealand shows, ranging from news and sports to Maori language tuition and lifestyle shows.

Website statistics show that people in 188 other countries are now watching www.maoritelevision.com, and in increasing numbers, says Maori Television online manager Sandy Hodge (Ngati Whakaue).

The shows are a mix of old and new, with something for everyone.

Popular programmes set to make a welcome return include sports entertainment show Hyundai CODE, featuring guests – and hosts - from the world of elite sport. So too is Homai Te Pakipaki – the live karaoke show that attracts wannabe entertainers from all corners of Aotearoa, to sing live at Maori Television’s Auckland studio.

Double Qantas Award nominee, current affairs show Native Affairs, is back for a fourth season, and singing show, Maorioke, has a fabulous new face on the judging panel  – Anika Moa - who joins Brannigan Kaa and Victor Stent.

Maori Television is putting out the call for people to come forward with their wartime keepsakes and associated personal stories, to screen as vignettes in an all-day ANZAC Day broadcast on April 25 2010.

“What we’re hoping to uncover is those war-related objects that have been passed down, perhaps stashed away for safekeeping, and which have always been of special significance to the owners and their families,” says producer Ross Jennings.

Introduced several years ago as part of the channel’s ANZAC Day coverage, the ‘treasures’ segment has already uncovered many moving stories.

Last year, the story of a soldier’s long-lost fob watch captivated viewers. Missing since World War II and found by chance decades later in an antique shop in England, the owner was traced, and the timepiece flown to New Zealand to be returned to the soldier’s family.

Australian Idol winner Stan Walker will return to New Zealand for the first time since his success to perform at the prestigious 2009 MAORI SPORTS AWARDS screening on Maori Television on Sunday December 6 at 9.00 PM.

The 19-year-old soulful Maori singer – born in Melbourne, raised in New Zealand and living in Queensland – will perform at the black-tie ceremony at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau on Saturday December 5.

As well as this year’s Australian Idol, the entertainment line-up will include Whakatane singer-songwriter Maisey Rika; Jo Hopkins aka ‘Chickey’ from the Patea Maori Club; Roland Williams who is the 2009 winner of Maori Television’s karaoke competition, Homai Te Pakipaki; world champion hip hop dance crew ReQuest; and reggae band Box Juice.

Rugby league star Benji Marshall (Ngai Tuhoe) is the supreme winner of the 2009 MAORI SPORTS AWARDS screening on Maori Television tonight – Sunday December 6 at 9.00 PM. Marshall beat a world-class field of finalists to take the top prize – the Albie Pryor Memorial Maori Sportsperson of the Year.

Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust hosted the prestigious black tie ceremony at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau last night (Saturday December 5). As well as Australian Idol winner Stan Walker, the entertainment line-up included singer-songwriter Maisey Rika; Jo Hopkins aka ‘Chickey’ from the Patea Maori Club; 2009 Homai Te Pakipaki winner Roland Williams; world champion hip hop dance crew ReQuest; and reggae band Box Juice.

The award recipients for 2009 are:

Maori Television will be the exclusive New Zealand broadcaster of heavyweight knockout specialist David ‘Tuamanator’ Tua’s next three fights.

Ranked number three by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), Tua is set to embark on TUA DE FORCE – a three-fight campaign that Tua is calling the continuation of his offensive to take out the world heavyweight championship title.

Stage one of TUA DE FORCE will kick off on February 7 2010 (NZT) when Tua is the main event on a US fight card in Atlantic City, New Jersey. His opponent is former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Bruce ‘The Atlantic City Express’ Seldon.

Tua’s US-based promoter, Cedric Kushner – who is the President of Gotham Boxing – says: “Seldon knows a winning performance against Tua puts him right back in the picture, and he is going to come to fight, particularly as he will be in a fan-friendly environment.”

Rugby league and netball stars Benji Marshall and Temepara George lead a world-class field of finalists at the 2009 MAORI SPORTS AWARDS screening on Maori Television on Sunday December 6 at 9.00 PM.

Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust – which will host the prestigious black tie ceremony at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre in Manukau – will also honour the late Margaret Te Kahurangi (Meg) Matangi MBE with a posthumous induction to the Maori Sports Hall of Fame. Matangi (Te Atiawa, Taranaki, Ngati Mutunga) was captain of the first ever New Zealand women's basketball team (now known as netball) in 1938.