HEART-warming marae makeovers on mĀORI TELEVISION

16 October 2006

The makeover show that makes a real difference – MITRE 10 MARAE DIY – is back to tackle six new projects around the motmhdgu. And this time the tasks are tougher than ever!

Not only is the team up against the clock for each re-fit, having just four days to complete it – it also faces the challenges of bad weather and remote locations. But one thing each project is never short of is aroha.

Success depends on the community pulling together with businesses, sponsors and Mitre 10 to help the marae achieve its renovation dreams. So whānau come from far and wide to join the MITRE 10 MARAE DIY team, and together, they spruce up each marae, its surrounding whare and the grounds.

The buildings aren’t the only things being tended to during the makeover. Kuia from the marae are whisked away for a treat during the renovations.

At the end of the four days, a DIY masterpiece is revealed, complete with functional toilets, a spruced-up wharekai and manicured grounds. When the kuia are given a formal welcome back by the people, there are tears and smiles galore.

This is the third series of the top-rating show which is the brainchild of presenter Nevak Ilolahia of Hula Haka Productions.

“It’s very special to see communities come together to enhance the one place they care about the most,” she says. “I always get a warm feeling when I arrive at each marae. To see results achieved with just a couple of days of hard work is truly amazing.”

Nevak is joined once again by co-host Te Ori Paki. Te Ori says each show never fails to touch his heart, as for many Māori, their marae is just as important to them as their own homes.

“There’s a lot of tribal and marae history in MITRE 10 MARAE DIY, a wealth of Māori humour and glimpses of traditional practices relating to kai, kapa haka, weaving, whakairo and tā moko,” says Te Ori. “We wanted to entertain people and also give them an insight into Māori communities and marae all over the country.”

Every year hapū throughout the country fundraise, receive community grants or apply to various trusts for funding to ‘do up’ their marae. MITRE 10 MARAE DIY helps them stretch their precious budget with the use of skilled labour and sponsorship of equipment and materials.

During series three, MITRE 10 MARAE DIY visits the following marae:

Manutuke Marae, Gisborne (screening October 26 at 8.30 PM)

The hardcase and hard working haukāinga work through the night to finish a challenging job – gutting, refurbishing and painting the entire kitchen and wharekai. But will they finish in time for the grand unveiling?

Hangarau Marae, Tauranga Moana (screening November 2 at 8.30 PM)

Tears flood the whare when Ask Your Auntie panelist Mabel Wharekawa-Burt and whānau provide a beautiful and emotional reveal of their DIY to their kuia.

Te Mapou Marae, Te Teko (screening November 9 at 8.30 PM)

Deep in the heart of the town known as Texas, the team whisks away the kuia for a chopper ride to view the fruits of the community’s labours.

Waipatu Marae, Hastings (screening November 16 at 8.30 PM)

The god of the winds, Tawhirimatea, throws everything at the hapū before their huge marae project can be completed. Has the bad weather blown it for the team?

Tanatana Marae, Urewera Valley, Bay of Plenty (screening November 23 at 8.30 PM)

Nestled in the heart of the misty Urewera Valley, this is one marae that needs a very different kind of makeover, meaning the team has to get extra-creative.

Pohara Marae, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge (screening November 30 at 8.30 PM)

The grounds get a major facelift, as well as the marae, in this challenging project set against the impressive backdrop of the papakāinga.

The series ends on December 7 with a special episode featuring the best moments from the second and third seasons of the show.

Join the team for TV’s most heart-warming makeovers when MITRE 10 MARAE DIY premieres on Thursday October 26 at 8.30 PM.

ENDS

Sharon Course
Kaiwhakaputa (Publicist)
Māori Television
DDI: 09 539 7009
MOB: 021 325 826
EML: sharon.course@maoritelevision.com