GO THE BRILLIANT BREAKERS!

Māori Television’s spectacular season of on-court basketball action continues when the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers take on the West Sydney Razorbacks on home turf in round 19 of Australia’s Hummer Championship NBL – free-to-air this Thursday January 24 at 8.00 PM.

The brilliant Breakers have had a record-breaking season thus far and appear poised to clinch a playoff berth for the first time in their history.

Already they have equalled their franchise record for wins in a season – 12, during their inaugural season – but they still need another three or four victories at least to feel comfortable of a place in the finals.

Coach Andrej Lemanis will have to keep the troops humming to ensure they're peaking at the business end of the season.

Simply put, the Breakers must win against teams like the West Sydney Razorbacks and hope to steal at least a game or two somewhere else to feel comfortable about maintaining their place in the top eight.

Other games from the NBL – regarded as one of the premier leagues in the world – also feature in the Thursday night slot as well as every Sunday afternoon. The Gold Coast Blaze takes on the Perth Wildcats this Sunday January 27 at 1.00 PM.

Māori Television is giving away five family passes for the Thursday night home game at Auckland’s North Shore Events Centre. Simply send an email to info@maoritelevision.com by 5.00 PM this Tuesday January 22 to be in to win.

Meanwhile, viewers can catch the game commentary of Te Arahi Maipi, Dale Husband, and Chris and Tania Tupu (pictured) from the comfort of their couches.

coming up ON MĀORI TELEVISION:

NATIVE AFFAIRS: SUMMER SERIES – Monday January 21 at 8.30 PM

Māori Television’s current affairs series presents the highlights of 2007. Tonight: Tūwharetoa paramount chief Tumu Te Heuheu; Tainui kaumātua reflect on their lives with the Kīngitanga; Polynesian ariki meet in Tahiti; and the contentious Te Arawa treaty negotiations is the panel discussion.

ITI POUNAMU – Monday January 21 at 9.30 PM

NZ Short Films, Brown Sugar: The final in this season of New Zealand short films – hosted by Ainsley Gardiner and Tearepa Kahi (pictured) – is the story of three Polynesian girls confident in their identities who are about to perform their first ‘upmarket’ gig.

FORGOTTEN BRAZIL – Tuesday January 22 at 8.30 PM

International Documentary, Pakipūmeka ō te Ao: Far from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the futuristic buildings of Brasilia, the Nordeste (north-east) region of Brazil has a unique and fascinating history.

TAKU WAHINE PŪROTU – Wednesday January 23 at 8.00 PM

Rongomaiwahine: The serial philanderer Kahungunu became obsessed with Rongomaiwahine after hearing of her great beauty and finally seduced her to produce the great tribes of Kahungunu and Rongomaiwahine. The meeting house is at Mahia Peninsula in the Hawkes Bay.

TRUTH ABOUT MĀORI – Wednesday January 23 at 8.30 PM

NZ Documentary, Pakipūmeka Aotearoa: All Māori can sing and play guitar, can’t they? This tongue-in-cheek documentary looks at modern day Māori myths and puts a few choice ones to rest once and for all.

BASSLINE – Friday January 25 at 8.30 PM

Shapeshifter: Exclusive live performances plus back stage with the boys during the Auckland leg of a national tour. Four music students from Christchurch formed this band in 1999 which has gone on to produce four albums and win countless awards.

WORLD HIP HOP CHAMPS 2007 – Saturday January 26 at 7.00 PM

The funkiest, phattest street dancers in the world – including Kiwi crew Dziah – feature in this five-part series which captures all the action from the World Hip Hop Dance Championships.

NGĀ AHUREI O TE RAUMATI – Sunday January 27 at 8.30 PM

The summer festival series focuses on the Parihaka Peace Festival in Taranaki and features behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with organisers and performers such as Kora, Katchafire and Batucada Sound Machine as well as up-and-coming acts Homefire Burning and Big Belly Woman.

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 )