'Mean Maori Mean' Makes Its Mark on Maori TV

PUBLICITY RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Mean Maori Mean’ Makes Its Mark on Maori Television

Dynamic Maori sports show CODE is making its mark at sports events throughout the country as the popularity of its ‘Mean Maori Mean’ slogan gathers momentum.

Launched in May and filmed at Maori Television’s Auckland studios, the weekly, half-hour interview-based show wraps up its first year on air on Thursday November 24 at 8.30 PM.

CODE is presented by some of New Zealand’s top Maori sportspeople including rugby league legend Tawera Nikau, former Silver Fern Jenny-May Coffin and former New Zealand women’s number one tennis player Rewa Hudson.

The trio are joined by former Kiwi rugby league captain Richie Barnett, Wairangi Koopu from the New Zealand Warriors and former Super 12 and New Zealand Maori representative Matua Parkinson.

Parkinson and fellow rugby player Slade McFarland featured as ‘The Brofessionals’ until McFarland recently took up a playing contract in France.

Maori Television executive producer of sport Bailey Mackey says the presenters are all developing into seasoned broadcasters and add an element of credibility to the programme.

CODE features topical interviews each week with sportspeople making headlines in Aotearoa and abroad. This year, more than 40 top athletes have been studio guests including netballer Temepara George, kickboxer Ray Sefo, Black Fern Farah Palmer and rugby players Rico Gear and Piri Weepu.

Highlights have included Tawera Nikau’s one-on-one interview with USA Open champion Michael Campbell as well as a special tribute show to rugby great Carlos Spencer in one of his few media appearances before he embarked on a new life in England to play for the Northampton Saints.

Mackey says the programme’s catchphrase, ‘Mean Maori Mean’, was originally coined to reflect the theme of CODE.

However, it has become so popular with viewers that it is now regularly chanted by crowds at major sporting fixtures such as the recent New Zealand Maori rugby league games against the Cook Islands and the Kiwis versus Australia clash at Ericsson Stadium.

Maori Television has used the slogan in advertising billboards and produced placards for supporters to brandish at sports events.

“The aim of CODE was to be current, to showcase our talent and, most importantly, to have fun and I think all of these targets have been achieved this year,” Mackey says.

“We’ve set a standard for ourselves and have built up a loyal audience – now the challenge is to return in late February with an improved format while continuing to have fun in a Maori manner!”

Catch CODE on Maori Television every Thursday night at 8.30 PM with the final show for 2005 on November 24.

ENDS

© Scoop Media