Māori Television’s International Documentary slot, Pakipumeka o te Ao, screens every Tuesday at 8.30 PM.

Upcoming documentaries include

Hawaiian historian and anthropologist Marion Kelly takes us on a tour of six islands to see what our modern world can learn from ancient wisdom and from those who continue to practice traditional ways today. From taro growers to rock wall builders, from fishermen to hula masters, AHUPUA’A gives us an intriguing look at traditional roles in modern times.

(subtitled in English where necessary)

A look at the role the family plays in the life of the individual, in its community and country. The Hau whanau are juggling economic survival and education jobs on opposite sides of the Hokianga harbour while trying to maintain a strong commitment to their indigenous cultural traditions and roots.

A family from Poland is put under the microscope in this documentary that examines the role the family plays in the life of the individual, the community and the country. We visit their home, share their joy and suffering, explore their relationships, learn about their world and discover how other families live. For generations in Silesia, Poland, mining has been a way of life. But change in many forms has finally hit the region, and the Mzryk family faces disintegration and cultural disruption for the first time.

(subtitled in English where necessary)  

No international documentary on Christmas Day 

MY FIRST CONTACT – Tuesday January 1 at 8.30 PM:

The story about a tribe of Indians in Brazil who were brought to live on a reservation by white men over 40 years ago – narrated from their own perspective.The Ikpeng Indians weren’t protected after their ‘first contact’ as they were promised, but were soon relocated and lost their land. The elders in the tribe re-enact what happened while through this process, the younger generation get more involved in the plight to reclaim their birth land 

PERU:THE ROYAL TOUR – Tuesday January 8 at 8.30 PM:

Peru is the only country on earth that can boast a 2,000 mile desert coastline, a mountain range with ten peaks over 20,000 feet and the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Peter Greenberg is escorted through the country by Peru’s President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006)  After touring the presidential palace in Lima, Peter and President Toledo spend five days swimming in the sparkling Pacific, witnessing the endless green of the Amazon rainforest and taking in the sights of the majestic Andes. 

VIVA LE PEPA! – Tuesday January 15 at 8.30 PMa:

VIVA LE PEPA explores Argentina over a period of six months during the last presidential elections, giving a voice to the common people and workers. The documentary explores Argentina’s slow climb back to economic and political stability and looks at how the populace now view their politicians.The causes of the fiscal disasters and political scandals that erupted in 2001 are also dissected. 

(Spanish - subtitled in English)

FORGOTTEN BRAZIL – Tuesday January 22 at 8.30 PM:

Far from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro and the futuristic buildings of Brasilia, the Norte region of Brazil has a unique and fascinating history.

Meet one of a band of horsemen, forgotten by time but who still roam the Sertao plains. In the state of Rondonia, we see the remains of an incredible railroad that was built at the turn of the 20^th century in the depths of the jungle to service the rubber plantation. Then to Manaus where a sumptuous opera house was constructed in the forest for the rubber barons.

(subtitled in English where necessary) 

MAQUILAS (Factories) – Tuesday January 29 at 8.30 PM: `

Since globalisation has contributed to the advent of low-cost offshore assembly factories in places like Taiwan, China and other countries in Central America, maquiladoras in Mexico have been on the decline since 2000. Despite this decline, there still exists over 3,000 maquiladoras along the 2,000 mile-long US- Mexico border, providing employment for approximately one million workers, and importing more than $51 billion in supplies into Mexico. They still account for 45 percent of Mexico’s exports. This documentary takes an honest look at the maquilas and their workers

(Mexican - subtitled in English) 

Māori Television’s International Documentary slot, Pakipumeka o te Ao, screens every Tuesday at 8.30 PM. 

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