MĪHARO is Māori Television’s new weekday educational series for tamariki – premiering Monday February 11 2008 at 5.00 PM. Designed to inspire inquiring minds, MĪHARO is pacy, colourful and jam-packed with questions and answers; the ancient and the modern; learning and laughter. `

MĪHARO means wonder, surprise, amazement and awe and the show is designed to educate Maori-speaking children in a delightfully entertaining way. Primarly targeted at five to eight-year-olds, this weekday educational series breaks new ground by having programme content specifically aligned with school curriculum areas. 

MĪHARO is made by Auckland-based Tumanako Productions and producer Kay Ellmers has worked closely with experienced primary school teachers to ensure that the series’ content reflects school-based learning.

Each week a new theme is presented.  In this series, the 10 themes are: wai (water); ngahere (the forest); ahi (fire); marae; te ao marama (the world of light); hau (air); tangaroa (sea); kai (food); kakahu (clothing) and tinana (the human body). Over the week, the theme is explored in six curriculum areas: putaiao (science); tikanga- a-iwi (social studies); pangarau (maths); hauora (health); mahi toi (arts) and hangarau (technology).  

The show’s presenters are a breath of fresh air, combining their love for learning with just the right amount of cheeky fun. Kereti Rautangata (Waikato, Tuhoe) is a familiar face to children’s television after hosting Maori Television’s Tikitiki and Koi while Pirimia Burger (Ngai Tahu, Rangitane) has also appeared on screen with a children’s cooking segment.  Kereti and Pirimia ensure MĪHARO stays in touch with its audience by joining tamariki at different kura each week.

Confident, bright, Maori-speaking children work with the presenters to introduce interactive games and short items about their own school – possibly launching the careers of some future broadcasters. 

While the series was designed for children in Māori medium education, MĪHARO will also be enjoyed by tamariki and whanau with lower levels of reo Māori who wish to build their language skills. The series will give families an opportunity to engage with their tamariki and support their learning. 

Join in the fun and a yearning for learning when MĪIHARO premieres on Māori Television on Monday February 11 at 5.00 PM. 

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