WHO WILL BE THE ULTIMATE MĀORI WARRIOR?

There is far more than just money at stake in the blood-chilling final of the Māori-style martial arts reality show TOA O AOTEAROA – screening on Māori Television tonight, Monday June 11, at 9.30 PM.

Two warriors remain, battling with taiaha to win the grand prize of $10,000, in a mesmerizing battle of strength and strategy. Owen Wells (Te Arawa) from Rotorua and Logan Pokai (Ngāti Porou, Ngapuhi) from Gisborne are also competing for the title of TOA O AOTEAROA – the ultimate Māori warrior.

They alone remain from the 10 warriors skilled in the ancient taiaha and chosen to compete in this toughest of television tests. But who has the strength, courage, discipline, agility, and mental and physical stamina needed to win in this emotional finale?

The eight fallen warriors surprise the finalists and return to watch the fight ensuring loads of emotion and excitement. Shock is also in store as the finalists face a different format with a twist of five, two-minute rounds.

The two finalists are presented with a patu from tohunga mau rakau, Wetini Mitai-Ngatai.

Produced for Māori Television by Rotorua-based Māui Productions, TOA O AOTEAROA is in reo Māori and English, and fully subtitled so it is accessible to all viewers.

Producer Reuben Collier now hopes mau rakau (wielding the taiaha) and wheiwheia (one-on-one fight) will grow into an official martial art in Aotearoa. “This is something that has not been seen for centuries in this country. When you watch the series, you soon get an idea of how it must have been done in the old days.”

coming up ON MĀORI TELEVISION:

TĀTAI HONO – Monday June 11 at 8.00 PM

The extraordinary journeys of seven different people as they attempt to reconnect with their Māori origins. Becky Smith travels to Tauranga and meets more of her father’s whānau while Richard Tamaho continues his search in the Hokianga.

KETE ARONUI – Tuesday June 12 at 8.00 PM

Twelve years ago, contemporary Māori artists Roi Toia and Todd Couper from Rotorua joined forces and began Mauri Concepts. Their motto was ‘quality and integrity’ and they wanted to produce work that was different from anything else. Have they succeeded?

DHAKIYARR VS THE KING – Tuesday June 12 at 8.30 PM

International Documentary, Pakipūmeka ō te Ao: Seventy years after his controversial murder trial and subsequent disappearance, the descendants of an Australian Aboriginal seek to restore what was denied to him: his honour.

TAONGA: TREASURES OF OUR PAST – Wednesday June 13 at 8.00 PM

A Soldier’s Story: Arapeta Awatere: A commander of the legendary Māori Battalion, Awatere was a distinguished Māori leader, poet, linguist and family man – so why did he spend his last years in Auckland’s Mt Eden Prison, convicted of murder?

NZ RUGBY LEAGUE NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP – Saturday June 16 and Sunday June 17 at 2.00 PM

Auckland ’s North Harbour Stadium is the venue for this weekend’s exciting league action – the Auckland Lions versus Tamaki Titans live on Saturday, and the Counties Manukau Jetz versus Harbour League delayed on Sunday.

EYE TO EYE – Saturday June 16 at 9.00 PM

Host Willie Jackson makes no apologies for the sometimes fiery nature of his studio debate programme which looks at issues from a Māori perspective. Screens every Saturday night on Māori Television.

KAI TIME ON THE ROAD – Sunday June 17 at 7.00 PM

Chef Pete Peeti spoils viewers with food choices at Rotorua’s Indigenous Food and Wine Festival 2007 – a culinary celebration of New Zealand’s innovative ability to live off our natural resources.

TOY LOVE – Sunday June 17 at 9.00 PM

Classic Kiwi Cinema: Feature film from Kiwi writer/director Harry Sinclair. Love is a game for Ben who lies and cheats on his girlfriend with ease – but he soon gets a taste of his own infidelity when he meets Chlo who doesn’t like to date guys who don’t have girlfriends.

Getting to Air

Our daily schedule is:

Viewers can tune in to Māori Television in six ways:

1. Via Freeview

Crystal clear, digital quality television with no monthly fees and no contracts. Visit www.freeviewnz.tv, call 0800-Freeview, or ask a sales person at a Freeview accredited appliance retailer.

2. Via the UHF frequency

To receive Māori Television via the UHF frequency, you need to have a UHF aerial and be within the coverage range. You can check our coverage maps to find out if you are within the coverage area: www.maoritelevision.com/coverage. If you need to purchase an aerial, call your local television aerial installation retailer. You will find these services listed in the Yellow Pages.

3. Via satellite

If you are not within our coverage area, you can access Māori Television via satellite by purchasing a satellite dish and receiver from your local television aerial installation service.

4. As a Sky Digital subscriber

If you are a Sky Digital subscriber, you will find Māori Television on channel 19 of your Sky remote.

5. As a Sky UHF subscriber

If you are a Sky UHF subscriber, you will find Māori Television on button 6 of your Sky remote.

6. Via Saturn TV

If you receive Saturn TV, you can tune in to Māori Television through channel button 33. Saturn customers – please leave your decoders switched on to be able to receive this channel.

If you are still unsure or need any assistance, call the channel’s tune-in helpline on 0800 MA TATOU (0800 62 82 868).

For More Information

Check our website www.maoritelevision.com/coverage or for guidance on how to tune-in call 0800 MA TATOU ( 0800 62 82868 )