FEEDBACK

ANZAC Day programme was awesome and a big ups to Māori Television, all the kaiwhakahaere, kaimahi and kairangahau. Once again you took us on a journey of historical significance for all New Zealanders. The stories and memories that the presenters and guests shared with us were emotional, inspirational and historical which embraced all New Zealanders. Excellentee.
Pearl

I write to congratulate all those that contributed to the excellent coverage that you presented constantly throughout the day. My wife and I watched your coverage starting at 6.00 AM with the dawn service … The stories that you unfolded through the eyes of the descendants of the Māori Battalion were absolutely heart wrenching. The ANZAC Address by Peter Arnett was outstanding. The complete broadcast was a credit to all those dedicated people at Māori Television.
Neville and Beryl Snook

Thanks to your crew for a fantastic day of television viewing. I hardly watch any television these days because I'm offended by the lack of local content, good journalism and real people, talking about subjects that are not crime and violence, real estate or what to wear! On Thursday, I watched about eight hours of your show and enjoyed every minute of it. This was television at its best, interesting, moving, fun, diverse and always courteous. Excellent presenters who did a brilliant job on a marathon day. I love the way you don't gratuitously linger on shots of people crying, I love the way you treat people when they come into the studio. Most of all I like the fact that you are connecting people to what really good television can do and be. What you are doing is definitely having an impact on your competition and on the celebration of ANZAC Day all over New Zealand. I was talking to the Mayor of Kapiti Jenny Rowan about how monocultural some of our ANZAC Day services are. She asked me what I thought we could do differently next year. I said: "Watch Māori Television – they're where it’s at! Kia kaha, you are the best.
Allie (Webber)

I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks for the screening of the documentary Night After Night on ANZAC Day. My father flew in Bomber Command in the 57th Squadron for the RAF. He died in January 1989 after a period on illness. His colleagues’ words in this documentary rang with absolute truth, of what he spoke of on very rare ocasions during my childhood, teenage years and as a young adult. Thank you.
Liz

My father Ray Pinel served as a bomb aimer on Lancasters during World War 2. He trained in Canada and joined Bomber Command as part of New Zealand’s 75 Squadron. He named me after the lady who looked after him while he was there … My husband and I were spellbound as so much of the information was what Dad had told us about. He is in great condition mentally and has travelled to England to catch up with his aircrew in recent years. He is one of a few New Zealanders who were commissioned in two services, the Army and Air Force.
Virginia Sherriff

Thank you for screening this important documentary (Night After Night). My father in law was a bomber pilot towards the end of WW2. Jack died last year aged 82. Although I had known him since 1978, he would never talk about his flights. He simply locked away that period of his life. I have gained an insight into what it must have been like from accounts by other pilots; Enemy Coast Ahead by Guy Gibson VC.
Wayne Daglish

Congratulations for the excellent coverage of ANZAC Day. Peter Arnett's presence certainly lent weight to the significance of the occasion which I am sure will have been enjoyed by a lot of viewers in the country. Didn't get much housework done today because your tribute to the fallen offered a fresh perspective on a subject that has been so heavily covered in the past. Well done, Māori Television, for one of the best tributes in recent times. My father served in the Malayan campaign and was a medical officer on board HMS Viti in Fiji so I give his medals a good rub this time of the year every year. Kind regards.
Ruci Salato Farrell

Am watching the programme you have put together for ANZAC Day 2008. What a great, great show. Have sent the pages I have found to one of my friends on border patrol and obviously he has many friends with him, all ex-SAS guys. It’s a pity they are missing the programme but hoping they can find the show re: through this media. Thanks for a great show.
Marilyn Searancke

I have just watched the Julian Arahanga documentary about Flight Officer P P Pohe and was moved to tears. I found it an extremely moving tribute to one of our unsung heroes from a very difficult time in history. I felt very proud that he represented this country and his people in such an admirable way.
Carol Anderson

Just a note to let you know that my family and I thoroughly enjoyed spending ANZAC Day with you. My mother woke early and was listening to talkback radio who said it was really good. She got up and turned on the television and then that was that for all of us for the rest of the day. We couldn't tear ourselves away. Congratulations.
Lorraine Fairest

Thanks to everyone involved. Your coverage of ANZAC day was the most enjoyable and intelligent programming I’ve ever known on TV. I have never felt so proud to be a New Zealander before – in my 69 years !
Judith Palmer

I would like to congratulate you all for the wonderful programme on ANZAC Day. I turned on to watch the very interesting programme on John Pohe, and I continued to view the subsequent programmes, including Peter Arnett, and the ceremony at ANZAC Cove. Well done on a fabulous show. Thank you.
Bill

I must wholeheartedly congratulate Māori Television on its extensive coverage and inspired programming on ANZAC Day. I must be honest and state that I have NEVER watched Māori Television before. The programming on Māori Television was brought to my attention via the NZ Herald ANZAC Day supplement – and I decided to take a look, half expecting it to be amateur and/or shambolic. Nothing could be further from the truth!

The presenters were immaculately dressed and professional. The main male presenter especially stood out – in fact, he is so good that if I was in charge of the mainstream channels, I would try to poach him. The guests were appropriate, interesting, and best of all, there were no ‘egos’ being polished or pandered to.

We had your channel on our TV all day and the mix of live in studio discussions, coverage from ANZAC parades across NZ, old war movies (Paths of Glory was an excellent choice), and live feeds from the Sydney parade was simply fantastic. I rang up many of my family and friends and got them to switch on your channel – many commented to me on the high quality of the programming as well. My parents watched your channel all day.

In my opinion, only the Māori channel gave ANZAC Day the respect and coverage it deserves. I hope you do this again next ANZAC Day!
Nick

Your coverage on Friday for ANZAC Day was fantastic – I congratulate everyone involved for a job very well done. John Pohe would be very happy with the portrayal you recreated so well. And Judith's return of her locket didn't leave many dry eyes I am sure. Like her father, my uncle is buried in Tunisia (Sfax), and I have also made the pilgrimage to visit the cemetery (Tunisia isn't usually mentioned as having war graves, but it is beautifully looked after). I certainly will be watching your coverage next year. Many thanks. And I love your food
rogrammes!

Judy Burge

I wanted to say how impressed I was with Māori Television’s programming on ANZAC Day. Not just the coverage of various ceremonies around New Zealand, but also the history, documentaries and interviews. The whole day was moving and often entertaining, but also informative. Having studied New Zealand history from a young age, I was surprised at how little is actually communicated at school about ANZAC Day and New Zealand's contribution. Thanks to your programme, I have learned so much more of our history in war, and the people who were involved. I can only hope that great shows like yours encourage people to learn more and to have a greater depth of understanding of why we have ANZAC Day, and to never forget. Congratulations on a wonderful day of programming.
Erin

I'd just like to say how much I enjoyed your ANZAC day coverage! It was such a relief to watch good progammes and good interviewing that was informed and friendly, unlike the rubbish that the other main TV channels put out. I also really enjoyed your Waitangi Day coverage earlier in the year, especially your documentaries on Eddie Durie and the navy's history at Waitangi. I'm a completely Pākehā New Zealand, but I'm so grateful that Māori Television not only plays a vital role in protecting Māori culture and language but also provides a wonderful service to all New Zealanders in an open, friendly and informative atmosphere. Thank you so much!
David Bullock

Many, many thanks to all at Māori Television for your stunning ANZAC Day coverage. Our whānau spent the entire day watching Māori Television and also enjoyed the different format for Homai Te Pakipaki. The real life stories reconnecting whānau with taonga from those now gone was intensely moving. Congratulations to Julian, Wena and the international team that ensured a seamless transition throughout the many link-ups that were provided, their professionalism is a lesson to other channels in Aotearoa.
Joy Bullen

I live in Rakaia, mid Canterbury and am a recently retired school principal who often watches and enjoys your programmes both for my own interest and for educational and historical purposes. Last evening I was engrossed in you broadcast of the New Zealand service from Chunuk Bair with Judy Bailey as MC. The coverage was excellent. Congratulations.
Sylvia Mellish

What a fantastic day I had yesterday. Laid up in bed with flu my eyes hardly left the screen. Your coverage was so refreshing, not the least like ANZAC Day coverage on the 'other channel' which a friend told me put her in a deep depression before she turned it off!! I was totally uplifted by the whole day. An infrequent viewer of your channel I shall be looking a lot closer at your programmes in future. I am a 60-year-old white pākehā wahine who always wished I had some Māori blood. Keep up your fantastic work.
Lois Blumberg

May I take this opportunity of congratulating you on a splendid piece of television for ANZAC Day. It was truly memorable. In all, it was a very busy weekend for you but you can be very proud … Thank you again for a wonderful day.
Arthur Williams

Have just watched some of your excellent presentations on my computer. I am a member of Ngāi Tahu and am most interested to see the progress that you are making in educating New Zealanders regarding Māori history. Incidentally, I flew bombers in WW2 received a DFC, and am still doing consulting engineering work.
Richard Perry (Canada)

I have been watching your programme from early today and I felt I could not possibly go to my bed without sending you congratulations for such an amazing job and so well done. Everyone one involved was exceptional – Julian Wilcox, Wena, Judy Bailey have done well over these past years with special programmes like this. Māori Television should be so proud of themselves. Today was really exceptional and for an ole fulla like me at 79, I think you guys deserve some real recognition. I do know there were many people involved in that production and I would like everyone to know that the talk in Tūranga tonight is all about you.
Ray McLeod

To all at Māori Television. We would like to congratulate and commend you and your team for the excellent coverage paying homage to all the comrades of war who are remembered on this day, ANZAC Day. We have never spent as many hours in front of TV in one day as we have today and wish to convey our thanks and gratitude. You have served New Zealand so well today. Well done.
E. & T. Forde

Just wanted to say what a wonderful programme today. Congratulations to all involved and sincere thanks.
Kate Trevella

By accident, I happened to watch a programme on Māori Television. The time was 9.30am. As I write this (7.05pm) I'm still watching your ANZAC Day presentation. As a Pākehā may I thank you sincerely for the most beautiful, thoughtful and poignant put together set of programmes I have ever had the privilege to watch. Again, thank you.
Ross McLauchlan

We wish to commend you for another outstanding ANZAC DAY broadcast. This is the third year in a row we have tuned in for the 'best part of the day' as your viewing is so compelling. I am Australian, married to a Kiwi (Ngāti Porou, East Cape) and ANZAC Day is a special day for us both as it reflects (both our nation's) roots. I especially enjoyed your live broadcasts of the parade through Sydney streets as it evoked memories of when I was a young girl and our parents taking us to the ANZAC parade every year growing up in Hobart, Tasmania. I can remember a donkey carrying a wounded soldier and they story of 'Simpson and his Donkey'. Four years ago we were back in Hobart at the time of ANZAC Day and I was able to take my own young children to the parade. Today I was happily chatting to my kids about the parade and my own memories. We loved the stories about the lost locket and happy reunion. We loved the John Pohe story too … so much we enjoyed and we really wanted to let you know that you 'salute the day' from fresh angles, stories that we hadn't yet heard. Professional, innovative, creative and reflecting the spirit that is ANZAC and Kiwis. Oh, and thanks for the Aussie stories too – as an Aussie living here in NZ it reminds us of our links.
Brent and Sue Reid

As a Pākehā New Zealander, may I express my warm appreciation to you for the wonderful programme you put together for ANZAC Day. Absolutely wonderful. Thank you, thank you.
Graham

Thumbs up to your ANZAC coverage. Peter Arnett is the man. Loved his kōrero earlier on and all the following programmes. Too much Māori Television. Tūmeke. Aroha to all.
Real

Māori Television, I am so enjoying all the stories you are running today. So much so that I am doing very little!! Glued to the set. Our papa, just died in January and he was part of the Māori 28th Battalion, so it is a very special (and sad) time for us. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything you have shown today.
Sue

Thank you for the programme you are giving us today, and for the respectful way it is being presented. You make me proud to be a New Zealander.
John Titchener

To everyone at Māori Television, I would like to say 'KA MAU TE WEHI'. You have yet again presented ANZAC Day in an extremely honourable, memorable and professional manner. Is not often that I shed a tear, however, while watching your ANZAC coverage from early on this morning I have shed many tears (so have Wena and Julian) and feel much pride in doing so. Your representation of ANZAC day, as a consequence, has allowed me to further learn about the cultural importance and mana in remembering those that have passed on. These are values that I hope to, one day, pass on to my mokopuna. Hopefully many more people in this ātaahua motu are embracing these kinds of values also. Because of you the Māori spirit is furthermore flowing throught the motu, so keep up the hard work. You are true leaders in the broadcasting world and true nurturers of kaitiakitanga me manaakitanga.
Sara-Lea O'Neill

It is only 11am on ANZAC Day and once again Māori Television are doing a superb job in educating, reminiscing and honouring all who gave sacrifice in the 1914-1918 and 1939-1945 world wars.
Teresa Miller

Having just watched Julian Arahanga's moving documentary Tūrangaarere, I'd like to thank Māori Television for broadcasting this programme. Yet another story that all New Zealanders should celebrate but which without Māori Television we may never have seen broadcast on free-to-air primetime television.
Kellie Arthur

I have just been watching the above programme on Māori Television (Timor-Leste: From Kiwi Lines) and wish to congratulate the producers of a really informative programme.
Pam Spiers

Thank you from our hearts for your sensitive, touching yet entertaining broadcasts to mark ANZAC Day. Each programme gave viewers the human and spiritual dimensions of the occasion – yet presented with warmth and friendship; we could feel being close in your welcoming spirit. I wish you could teach your Pākehā colleagues some of your wonderful spirit. Thank you and all your team for visiting our whare with such warmth.
Walter Freitag

Congratulations to all of you on such a superb ANZAC programme on Friday. My husband and I sat ‘glued’ to the TV watching all your presentation.
Barbara Cameron