CANDID REVELATIONS ON MĀORI TELEVISION

Māori leaders who led, challenged, outraged and inspired share very personal stories never before made public on Māori Television’s surprising new series, E TŪ KAHIKATEA, premiering on Wednesday February 20 at 8.00 PM.

Koro Wetere left school with zero qualifications, fled to the bush to escape an arranged marriage and became arguably the most influential Māori politician of his era. He’s just one of the Māori leaders who candidly reveal what has never been made public in this new series.

It’s a startling insight into the movers and shakers of the Māori world told by the leaders who lived it. The Hon. Koro Wetere, Katarina Mataira, Professor Tīmoti Kāretu, Selwyn Muru, Sir Peter Tapsell and Kaa Williams open this first series with a honesty that stunned even the producers.

“At times during filming we’d be thinking: ‘Did that just happen? Did they actually share that?’ ” series director Ngahuia Wade of Te Noni Productions says. “It’s certainly not a This Is Your Life. It’s This Is How It Really Was and we were humbled just to be in the same room.”

Indeed, kaumātua grasped the opportunity to state for the record what they believed were their memorable moments – personal and behind the scenes.

Koro Wetere yearned to be a minister of the church, not a minister of the Crown.

Katarina Mataira fell in love the moment she clapped eyes on her future husband.

Tīmoti Kāretu crossed the oceans for his big OE only to end up selling sheep.

Selwyn Muru can hear a tune once and play it on any instrument, including a grand piano.

Peter Tapsell learnt reo Māori after he couldn’t understand a whānau who rushed into A&E – he operated, saved their nanny and started learning.

Kaa Williams proudly admits she was brought up in a cave yet they were still the cleanest kids in school.

Their calibre of reo and captivating revelations means there is no need for a presenter or narration. Instead, the six half-hour episodes are first person and go straight for the heart. From start to finish, the leaders hold court.

“Loves, losses, lessons, wit and wisdom for the next generation, they cover it all,” says producer, Maramena Roderick. “They were the navigators of their time who broke down barriers and set new horizons. Perhaps the most impressive revelation was not one of them perceived themselves to be leaders.”

SELWYN MURU – Wednesday March 12 at 8.00 PM:

Selwyn Muru can hear a tune once and play it on any instrument, including a grand piano.

SIR PETER TAPSELL– Wednesday March 19 at 8.00 PM: Sir Peter reveals why he really became a surgeon, the vanity of politicians and the difference between a ewe and a ram.

KAA WILLIAMS– Wednesday March 26, 8.00 PM: Kaa tells how she was raised in a cave, the challenges of New Zealand's first kura kaupapa and a lesson in her school of humour.

Join these special people on their inspiring journeys –
E TŪ KAHIKATEA – premiering on Māori Television on Wednesday February 20 at 8.00 PM.

Ends

Sandy Hodge
Kaiwhakaputa (Publicist)
Māori Television
DDI +64 9 539 7009
MOB: +64 21 325 826
EML: sandy.hodge@maoritelevision.com