What Now needs your help to choose a new presenter!
For the first time ever, people are being invited to vote for their favorite to “Fill Tamati’s Boots”.
Eight people have been selected, but only one will join the What Now team.
What Now
This week on TV2
What Now says goodbye to Tamati and hello to a new star.
After four years of appearing on the long-running TV2 children’s favourite show, What Now, Tamati Coffey will leave the show at the beginning of September. Tamati says: “I’ve had an awesome time on What Now, travelling all over Aotearoa and meeting some really cool kids, spreading mess and fun along the way! It’s been my dream come true to work on What Now, making so many people laugh… but despite the great show and the fun team, I’ve always been after a challenge and this new opportunity is huge for me.”
Tamati, 27, is joining Breakfast, TVNZ’s early morning News and Current Affairs programme, as roving reporter and weather presenter. He joins Paul Henry, newly-appointed co-host Pippa Wetzell, and newsreader Peter Williams as the daily faces of the new-look Breakfast.
Tamati completed an honours degree in Political Studies at the University of Auckland and had no previous television experience when he joined What Now in February 2004. He has packed in plenty of adventure – including jumping from a helicopter, skydiving with Santa Claus, abseiling down waterfalls, bungee jumping off the sky tower whilst brushing his teeth, and taking mid-winter dips in bright red Speedo’s. He’s presented the Spyrider segment on the show from around the country – from Murupara to Moeraki, The Chatham Islands to Stewart Island, and from Kaikoura to the Cape.
Former What Now host and now creative producer, Jason Gunn, says; “Tamati is a remarkable presenter, every week he’s in a small town making stars out of the locals – it’s sad to see him leave, but great to see that the network has big plans for his future!”
TVNZ Head of News and Current Affairs, Anthony Flannery, says Tamati is one of the most exciting young personalities on New Zealand television. “Tamati will bring his own brand of TV magic, and a huge fan base of kids and parents, to Breakfast. His humour, intelligence and strength as a live performer are a great addition to the team.”
What Now is launching a nationwide talent search to ‘Fill Tamati’s Boots’, for the first time offering kids the chance to have a say in who becomes the new presenter. “We’re looking for someone who has a real connection with our audience and can continue the What Now history of telling great stories,” says Executive Producer, Janine Morell. Over the coming weeks, 10 hopefuls will first have the task of impressing the kids to be in the running. The audience will then vote to whittle this down to a final three, who’ll be put through their paces by Jason Gunn. “A lot of people say they want to be on TV, well here’s your opportunity,” says Jason. “I think presenting on New Zealand’s greatest and longest running children’s TV show is the chance of a lifetime. We are looking for someone who will give it their all!”
Would-be presenters are asked to record a short three-minute audition showing off their presenting skills in three different ways: 1) Interviewing children; 2) Playing a game; 3) Explaining how something works. To enter the competition, send in an audition on a VHS, DVD or mini DV tape to: ‘Fill Tamati’s Boots’ at Whitebait TV, 18b Birmingham Drive, Addington, Christchurch by midnight on Thursday, August 16.
Tamati makes his last appearance on What Now on Sunday September 9.
Pippa Wetzell and Paul Henry will be joined by a new roving reporter and weather presenter, Tamati Coffey, formerly a What Now presenter, later this month. Peter Williams will continue to present the news segments of the show.
Tamati Coffey has been appointed to Breakfast, TVNZ’s early morning News and Current Affairs programme. Tamati leaves What Now to join the Breakfast team as roving reporter and weather presenter.
TVNZ Head of News and Current Affairs Anthony Flannery said Tamati is one of the most exciting young personalities on New Zealand television.
“Tamati will bring his own brand of TV magic, and a huge fan base of kids and parents, to Breakfast. His humour, intelligence and strength as a live performer are a great addition to the team.”
Tamati completed an honours degree in Political Studies at the University of Auckland before becoming one of the presenters on iconic kid’s show What Now. Tamati will begin his new role with Breakfast later this month.
He joins Paul Henry, newly-appointed co-host Pippa Wetzell and newsreader Peter Williams as the daily faces of the new-look Breakfast.
http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/816457/1270339
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10455879&pnum=0
What Now Sunday July 15, 8.00am
Do the locomotion with What Now as an attempt is made at a world record in Hamilton on Sunday July 15.
New Zealand’s longest-running kids show, What Now, is taking on yet another challenge to break a world record and get themselves, and as many Kiwi kids as possible, into the Guinness Book! On Sunday July 5, they’re taking their whole crew to Hamilton, where they need thousands of children of all ages to join them at the Hamilton Gardens (near the pavilion) – where they will be breaking the world record for the longest locomotion dance!
In conjunction with SPARC and the Mission On programme, What Now will broadcast LIVE on TV2 from 8am – 10am in Hamilton. Last year, their attempt at the ‘World’s Biggest Pillow Fight’ was a roaring success in Invercargill, and now they’ve again consulted the Guinness Book officials and are all set to break the current record. In September 2006, Guelph University in Ontario, Canada, set the new record for ‘World’s Longest Locomotion Dance’ at a whopping 1739 people. And like them, What Now and the people of Hamilton must make their dance last for a whole five minutes… Luckily there’s a whole lake there to dance around!
What Now invites all Waikato children, parents, friends, sports teams and schools to come down, help them out, and have a whole lot of fun. Registration for the event begins at 7am, and throughout the morning there will be all sorts of activities and entertainment. To kick the morning off, join in with a mass aerobics session to warm up. Then, see the band Spacifix perform for the crowd, which will include local sports stars, V8 car drivers and more.
Plus, you can bring your sporting gear to be part of the 10 Mission On fun action stations that will be set up around the park. Give juggling a go, be part of the dress-up relay, or have a go at target practice. It’s all on at the Hamilton Gardens.
Along with What Now presenters Charlie, DJ Vinyl Richie, Serena, Tamati and Camilla, there will be heaps of celebrity guests. Charlie, in particular, can’t wait for their latest challenge. He says, “I’m really excited about bringing What Now to my home – the Mighty Waikato. We are gonna break a world record – and have a great time as well. Bring it on!”
So, to everyone in the Waikato region, come on down with your dancing shoes – let’s all ‘do the locomotion’ and break the world record! To those at home in other parts of New Zealand, you’ll be able to tune in to all the action, and cheer on the world record breakers, from 8.00am on TV2, Sunday July 15.
What Now? Sunday May 20, 8.00am
This weekend on What Now, there’s not just a brand new mini-series, there’s a hugely exciting competition to be announced. Are you ready for double the thrills and double the fun?
A new seven-part police serial called WNPD starts today – check out the What Now Police Department on the beat! Follow the adventures of New Zealand’s most useless police unit, as they tackle a series of outrageous crimes. From stopping a rampaging bull to nabbing a bicycle thief and even protecting the Prime Minister, these police officers are willing to take on any mission. Whether they have a chance of succeeding or not…
This hilarious new edition joins an already packed show, with Tamati and Spyrider in Auckland visiting the Avondale Markets and meeting some very special eight-legged friends. If you’re in the area on Sunday morning, get down there and join in the fun! Meanwhile back in the studio, the presenters write a book for Camilla, with an illustrator there to bring it to life. Also keeping with the reading theme, you’ll get to meet the very famous Jacqueline Wilson, author of The Story of Tracy Beaker, Vicky Angel, The Lottie Project and many more.
But, that just might not be enough cool stuff happening for one episode! This Sunday What Now is excited to announce a major competition open to anyone aged 5-14… with a prize that will see the winner fly off on the best class trip ever! Tamati and Serena are heading to Dreamworld and Whitewater World on the Gold Coast of Australia – and they want you to come… but not just you, your whole class!
Serena loves Dreamworld and says she can’t wait to meet all the kids that will be going with them, and Tamati already has his bags packed; he says, “I just can’t wait for the thrill rides! I’ve done a lot of extreme stuff in my time, but I can just tell this trip is going to top it all”.
All you need to do is have your class design a poster for Dreamworld and Whitewater World – and the best poster wins the trip, simple as that. If you love tigers, whitewater, roller coasters, and some of the biggest, tallest and fastest thrill rides in the world, then you and your class could share the trip of a lifetime. Serena says, “I just love looking at all the entries, they are always so pretty”. So, pull out all the creative stops and make your poster the one that really stands out.
Once you have completed your poster you need to go online to www.tvnz.co.nz keyword ‘what now’, then fill out an entry form and check out the competition details. Send your entry in by Sunday June 10 to What Now Dreamworld Competition, PO Box 2489, Christchurch
Dreamworld, Whitewater World, so many worlds in one – explore them with What Now on the best class trip ever! Be watching TV2 Sunday from 8.00am.
What Now were filming today at Parakai School and we happened to spot them. It’s going to be shown tomorrow and they’ll be back to do a live cross as well. I’ve also heard they were filming at Summerland Primary School in West Auckland this week!
…the former What Now presenter, Shavaughn Ruakere!
She looks so thin, but was still as bubbly and was really nice to talk to 
This year What Now will be ‘Out of This World’! There’s a new space-theme, and the studio is looking seriously high-tech and space-age, with the team hoping to take kids on a journey of a lifetime.
All the presenters are returning to spend another fun-filled and exciting year together. Tamati, Serena, Charlie, Ritchie and of course, Camilla the Gorilla, are ready to bring you more fun, more mess and more surprises – everything that makes New Zealand’s biggest and longest-running children’s show unique and hilarious.
Tamati is also looking forward to embarking on his travels around Aoetearoa with Spyrider. He’ll visit Kiwis across the country – taking the action out of the studio and into communities, from the main centres to the smallest towns! Other returning favourites include House of Pain and Sparkle Friends
New for 2007 is the gripping ‘Celebrity Rest Area’, with seven of your favourite Kiwi celebs up against each other in an elimination competition – all ready to compete for the ultimate title. Then, back in the studio, What Now will be even easier for kids to reach from home – with twice the number of tele-ops waiting to answer kids’ calls.
So wake up with What Now and laugh your way through Sunday morning! Sundays from 8.00am until 10.00am on TV2.
Sunday, February 18, 8.00am
This year What Now will be ‘Out of This World’! There’s a new space-theme, and the studio is looking seriously high-tech and space-age, with the team hoping to take kids on a journey of a lifetime.
All the presenter’s are returning to spend another fun-filled and exciting year together. Tamati, Serena, Charlie, Ritchie and of course, Camilla the Gorilla, are ready to bring you more fun, more mess and more surprises – everything that makes New Zealand’s biggest and longest-running children’s show unique and hilarious.
Tamati is also looking forward to embarking on his travels around Aoetearoa with Spyrider. He’ll visit Kiwis across the country – taking the action out of the studio and into communities, from the main centres to the smallest towns! Other returning favourites include House of Pain and Sparkle Friends
New for 2007 is the gripping ‘Celebrity Rest Area’, with seven of your favourite Kiwi celebs up against each other in an elimination competition – all ready to compete for the ultimate title. Then, back in the studio, What Now will be even easier for kids to reach from home – with twice the number of tele-ops waiting to answer kids’ calls.
Charlie can’t wait to get the show started; “2007 is going to go down in WN history as the biggest and brightest year ever! I can’t wait for all the new gags, games and competitions, plus the brand-new studio… it’s gonna be out-of-this-world!”
So wake up with What Now and laugh your way through Sunday morning! Sundays from 8.00am until 10.00am on TV2.
Loading ...