FABULOUS, FUN AND FUNKY – HAA IS BACK ON MAORI TELEVISION!
PUBLICITY RELEASE
FRIDAY APRIL 30 2010
Exciting and edgy info-tainment magazine youth show HAA returns to Maori Television for a sixth season in a new timeslot – every weekday at 5.30 PM from Monday May 3.
Viewers will still get the inside track on the latest and hottest news, views and interviews. The show is fun, high-energy – and a must-see guide on what’s happening with youth culture in New Zealand-Aotearoa. “HAA provides a platform to reflect youth language and culture,” says long-time producer Wiremu Te Kiri. “The show gives young people an outlet to be heard and have a significant voice in society. We remain committed to showcasing rangatahi culture and promoting te reo Maori.”
HAA will return with some of its favourite segments including Waha Papa (review and learning segment); Kimihia Te Haa (checking out events and festivals); Tangata Toa (celebrity profiles); Haa Extreme (exploring extreme sports) and Urban Kanikani (dance segment). But wait – there’s more! Te Ara Tika is a guide to making music videos, short films and songs recorded in a studio; He Take looks at issues facing young people and the places they can go to get help; Taonga Tuku Iho will show rangatahi how to make kete, rourou and taonga puoro; and Te Ao Hou reviews the latest video games, films and comics for young people.
This year’s presenters are a mix of old and new faces. Amanda Ashton is back to lead the team which includes newcomers Nawaia Watene and Junior Paparoa. This is Amanda’s second year on air with HAA. The Ngapuhi South Aucklander scored her first ever paid job doing cartoon voiceovers – and the 21-year-old former Auckland Girls Grammar student hasn’t looked back. So what does she look forward to most about working on HAA? “Meeting new people, making great television and pleasing the viewers!”
Fresh face Junior Paparoa – nicknamed Jay – hopes to one day play professional rugby. The 19-year-old is affiliated to Ngapuhi, grew up in Motuti and went to Panguru Area School and Broadwood Area School before taking off to college at Te Aute. Meanwhile, fellow newcomer Nawaia Watene (Te Arawa, Ngati Porou, Ngati Whatua, Ngati Manu), age 20, was raised in Wellington and is a graduate of both kura kaupapa and wharekura. Nawaia hopes to learn enough to move behind the camera and be the boss.
To kick off its sixth season and the first 10 episodes, HAA heads to Sydney and Brisbane to talk to rangatahi about growing up Maori in Australia as well as to showcase young Maori doing outstanding things across the ditch. Coming up: A traditional Aboriginal dance group share their culture (Monday May 3 at 5.30 PM); Uprecordz, a small record label in Sydney (Tuesday May 4 at 5.30 PM); cage fighting champion James Te Huna (Wednesday May 5 at 5.30 PM); Waitangi Day celebrations in Sydney (Thursday May 6 at 5.30 PM); a multi-cultural kapa haka group in Brisbane (Friday May 7 at 5.30 PM); surfing champions Airini and Sarah Mason who live on the Gold Coast (Monday May 10 at 5.30 PM); rising rugby star Quade Cooper on the Gold Coast (Tuesday May 11 at 5.30 PM); Brisbane Broncos league star Ben Te’o (Wednesday May 12 at 5.30 PM); Zenith, Australia’s best hip hop dance group (Thursday May 13 at 5.30 PM); and a kapa haka festival in the Gold Coast (Friday May 14 at 5.30 PM).
Get your daily dose of te reo Maori with a youth flavour on HAA – Maori Television’s hot youth show screening every weekday at 5.30 PM from Monday May 3.
Ends
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR HAA
Year: 2010
Censor: General Exhibition (G)
Duration: 30-minute weekday programme
Language: Maori and English languages
For images and media information, register with the Maori Television media centre at http://media.maoritelevision.com or for interviews, review tapes or further information, contact Communications Manager, Vanessa Horan, on +64 9 539 7159, mobile +64 21 928 007 or email vanessa.horan@maoritelevision.com.
