NEW PRESENTER MAKES HER MARK ON MARAE DIY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17 2009

The marae makeover show that brings whanau together from all over the motu has been given a new lease on life, with a new presenter and a new set of challenges. The sixth series of MARAE DIY returns to Maori Television on Sunday October 4 at 8:00 PM.

A DIY buff herself and a big fan of MARAE DIY, Aroha Hathaway is raring to go as the show’s new co-presenter, replacing founder and presenter Nevak Ilolahia. Te Ori Paki (Tuwharetoa, Tanui, Tuhoe) is back again as co-presenter, David Clayton-Greene (Ngati Pakeha) back on landscaping detail, and Monty Ritai (Te Atiawa) the resident builder.

Aroha may be a fresh face on MARAE DIY, but Maori Television viewers will remember her as one of the agony aunts on Maori Television’s ASK YOUR AUNTIE. She currently presents the advertorial segment on Good Morning, and also has a radio profile, on Radio Waatea and ZM.

“Although I’ve always done DIY and landscaping, and being a single mum, it’s great to learn shortcuts and tricks,” says Aroha.

MARAE DIY has had such a profound impact on Aroha that she has even decided to take her skills one step further: “I’ve noticed diggers are sometimes not used, because there aren’t enough registered drivers around.  So I’ve registered to train as a digger driver so I can muck in and be more helpful.”

In addition to a new presenter, the MARAE DIY team attempts a number of firsts in series six. This season will see them construct a new building from scratch, raising and re-piling a wharepuni, completely re-cladding and insulating the wharepuni and even enlisting the help of the NZ Army.

MARAE DIY also has a new producer, Kara Paewai, who has also brought some fresh ideas into the mix.  

“Besides the DIY aspect of the show, I’ve been keen to tell the stories of the people and the history of each marae, as well as the regions in which they are situated,” says Paewai. “It’s also a great opportunity to take our viewers on a journey to those undiscovered gems throughout Aotearoa, which some people may otherwise never see.”

Aroha echoes her sentiment: “You get to see parts of the country that you may never get to visit unless you have whakapapa links.”

MARAE DIY is has earned a big reputation in heartland communities of Aotearoa, where marae get a much-deserved face-lift, and it only comes together because of truly amazing team effort, as whanau and local volunteers band together and get stuck into the mahi.

Series Six sees the MARAE DIY team visit the following marae:

The Making of MARAE DIY – Sunday October 4 at 8.00 PM:

The first episode takes viewers behind the scenes for insight into the hard mahi that goes on, even before hammers are lifted or sods of dirt are turned. Founder and presenter Nevak Ilolahia is farewelled, and viewers meet Aroha Hathaway, the new Marae DIY presenter.

Poihakena Marae, Raglan – Sunday October 11 at 8.00 PM:

Just as many non-Maori as Maori pull together as this week, the show breaks new ground for the biggest makeover yet.

Nga Mokai Papakainga, Karioi, Ohakune – Sunday October 18 at 8.00 PM:

Reinforcements are called from the NZ Army and Aussie whanau across the ditch. The team pushes boundaries and has a crack at something never before attempted in the past 42 makeovers.

Waikawa Marae, Picton – Sunday October 25 at 8.00 PM:

The team is enthusiastically greeted by the whole of Picton town during their second excursion to Te Waipounamu (the South Island).  The big question is – Will Aroha Hathaway or Te Ori Paki find the perfect paua?

Taiao Marae, Pawarenga – Sunday November 1 at 8.00 PM:

Pawarenga won’t be a well-kept secret for much longer.  The charm and beauty of the place in the far north almost distracts the team from completing their DIY - but not quite.

Wairoa Marae, Tauranga – Sunday November 8 at 8.00 PM:

It’s Easter 2009 and the team is appropriately spending their holidays in Bethlehem...that’s Bethlehem, Tauranga.  But has the team remembered that the shops and suppliers are closed?  

Tumutumu Marae, Te Aroha – Sunday November 15 at 8.00 PM:

The team’s first foray into the Hauraki rohe sees them helping Ngati Tumutumu right what nature destroyed, creating sturdy fences.  And Aroha returns to her home stomping ground to catch up with friends and rediscover old buildings.

Join the team for more heart-warming makeovers when MARAE DIY premieres on Maori Television on Sunday October 4 at 8.00 PM.

BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIAL:

AROHA HATHAWAY (Tuhoe)

Avondale-based, she grew up in Thames.  She travelled to Brazil with the AFS exchange programme when she was in high school, which accounts for her being trilingual – she speaks Maori, Portuguese and English.

Roles include:

(Current) Advertorial Presenter, Good Morning, TVNZ

(Current) Specialist Programmes Host, Radio Waatea

(Current) ZM Network Presenter, The Radio Network

Panelist/Guest Host, ASK YOUR AUNTIE, Maori Television

Co-Host, E KO!, Maori Television

Ends

For more information contact:

Merilee Andrews

Kaiwhakaputa - Publicist

DDI: 09 539 7092

MOB: 021 274 0495

merilee.andrews@maoritelevision.com

 
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