TV and Radio Stations get behind Maori Language webseries

TV and Radio Stations get behind Māori Language webseries

More users of the Māori language now have the opportunity to advance their understanding of te reo through an innovative new webseries, with the news that the programme has just received support from Māori Television’s digital platform and the Maori Radio Network which broadcasts nationwide.

Produced by Punarau Media Limited, Rere Te Whiu is a pilot webseries that teaches speakers and learners of the Māori language how to negotiate the subtleties of Māori idioms and colloquial phrases in the appropriate contexts.

Kristin Ross (Ngāti Kahu), CoProducer
for Rere Te Whiu, says; "One of the
hardest language formulas to acquire as a second language learner, is the 'kīwaha', or idiomatic sayings. It is the same as someone learning English and having to decipher when or how to use phrases like, 'the cat's pyjamas' or 'the penny has dropped'."

Originally created as a webseries for online consumption, Rere Te Whiu's pilot episode has already gained strong support through the Māori language community, most recently from Māori Television and the Māori Radio Network.

Trina Koroheke, General Manager at Radio Tainui says; "The webseries will further enhance our promotion of te reo Māori and we are thrilled at the prospect of having Rere Te Whiu included in our programming."

Hōhepa Tuahine (Ngāti Whakaue and Tūhoe), CoProducer of Rere Te Whiu, says at present, more than 10 Māori and Iwi radio stations have pledged an onair broadcaster commitment to Rere Te Whiu. He adds, “In appreciation of the network’s support, we have committed to create audio versions of each skit, ready for airplay, which will transform Rere Te Whiu into a multiplatform language resource."

Rere Te Whiu was part of a new initiative by Te Māngai Pāho giving emerging producers an opportunity to showcase their abilities in the digital space. Ross says; “We are proud to be part of a new strategy by Te Māngai Pāho which is giving new Māori producers, entrepreneurs and creatives like us, a chance to break into the industry." Funding decisions by Te Māngai Pāho will be made on 24 June 2016.

The Rere Te Whiu pilot episode can be accessed via YouTube and Facebook .

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