Lovable Nanny Mihi and sidekick Robynleigh Emery – from Māori Television children’s show TAU KĒ – are launching a special collection of original songs in Māori to coincide with Māori Language Week 2007 (July 23-29).

Screening between 4.00 PM and 5.30 PM every weekday, TAU KĒ is presented by Robynleigh and her gracious granny character who teach tamariki about the world as well as fronting a range of colourful, clever and creative children’s programmes aimed at kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori.

A trained teacher, Robynleigh and colleague Te Hāmua Nikora write original waiata every week about themes as diverse as hats, te reo Māori, friendship and Aotearoa. Robynleigh then performs the songs – along with Nanny Mihi – for the amusement and education of TAU KĒ viewers.

Now Māori Television is launching a CD of their 10 top songs as its contribution to Māori Language Week from July 23 to 29, incorporating the theme ‘He kōrero mō Aotearoa – on the road with te reo’.

Thousands of the CDs, along with a poster promoting the show, will be sent to kōhanga reo and kura kaupapa Māori as well as primary and intermediate schools throughout the country.

There are two versions of the CD – one completely in Māori and the other with English-language introductions by Nanny Mihi – as well as a songbook featuring lyrics and chords for each waiata which can be downloaded from the website, www.maoritelevision.com.

Māori Television head of programming Larry Parr say New Zealanders have been celebrating Māori Language Week since 1975 – speaking it themselves or showing their support for te reo Māori.

“Māori is a language for all New Zealanders – a treasure unique to our country, something in which we can all take great pride,” says Mr Parr.

“Due to popular demand, we have collated these waiata on to a CD for teachers, pupils and whanau to enjoy together – every week is Māori Language Week on Māori Television and we think this resource will help them access the language every day of the year.”

Children can email their comments and contributions to the Nanny Mihi and Robynleigh on tauke@maoritelevision.com, and tune in to a captivating collection of contemporary children’s programming with TAU KĒ – every weekday from 4.00 PM on Māori Television.