Entries Open For 2005 Maori Media Awards

12 January 2005

Entries Open For 2005 Maori Media Awards

Organisers of the second Maori Media Awards are urging Maori radio and television broadcasters throughout the country to showcase their best work at this year's gala awards ceremony in March.

Member stations of the national federation of Maori radio stations - Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Maori o Aotearoa - as well programme providers to the Maori radio network, the Maori Television Service and mainstream television producers have until 5pm next Wednesday, January 19, to submit their entries.

Federation chairman Hone Harawira says the categories include best sports programme, best outside broadcast, best rangatahi (youth) programme, best programme in any genre, best Maori language programme, best presenter, best reo Maori television presenter (male and female), and most significant contribution to the industry. The feature award is for the 'Biggest Blooper' produced by a member station any time over the past 10 years.

The awards will be judged on factors such as listener appeal, entertainment value, audience participation, production expertise and professionalism. Maori language entries will have a high clarity of diction, appropriate dialect, correct pronunciation, strong presenter appeal and engaging programme content.

At the inaugural awards ceremony in 2004, Maori language radio programme producer Ruia Mai - part of the Mai Media group owned by Auckland tribe Ngati Whatua - won four of the eight awards including Best Outside Broadcast, Best Maori Language Programme, Best Presenter and Biggest Blooper. Minnie Westrupp from Te Reo Irirangi o Turanganui-a-Kiwa in Gisborne and Joe Te Rito from Radio Kahungunu in the Hawkes Bay placed first equal for the most significant contribution to the industry.

"Maori radio is now a part of the fabric of New Zealand society and its importance in maintaining a positive role for the Maori language is clearly acknowledged," Hone Harawira says. "The Maori Media Awards is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the best of Maori radio and television broadcasting, the best people and their best work."

The awards ceremony will be held in Rotorua on March 19. Entry forms are available from www.irirangi.net (whakaruruhau/panui) and from the federation on 04 473 0117, 027 242 4067 or e-mail betty@whakaruruhau.co.nz.

ENDS

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