Maori Tennis – Acing It at 80!

PUBLICITY RELEASE
TUESDAY APRIL 24 2007

Maori Tennis – Acing It at 80!

The 80-year history of the oldest Maori sports organisation in New Zealand is celebrated in MAORI TENNIS – ACING IT AT 80, screening in Maori Television’s New Zealand Documentary slot, Pakipumeka Aotearoa, on Wednesday May 2 at 8.30 PM.

Produced by Auckland-based Front of the Box Productions, the one-hour documentary chronicles the history of Maori involvement in tennis with commentary provided by former Maori All Black, historian, academic and tennis enthusiast, Professor Tamati Reedy.

The New Zealand Maori Tennis Association was formally constituted in 1926 by Sir Apirana Ngata. Recorded games and tournaments date back to 1910 with inter-marae and inter-rohe competing for the Turoa Morehu and Marumaru Cups.

Producer-director Erana Keelan says the earliest photograph of Maori playing tennis actually dates back to 1899 and depicts Maori shearers playing on the courts of Elms Hill Station in the Hawkes Bay.

“We’re lucky to have had access to the still photographs collected by the Aotearoa Maori Tennis Association when they were researching the 80-year commemorative book, A History of Maori Tennis, and the photos are beautiful,” Keelan says. “It’s quite amazing to see how much our people embraced this sport.”

The documentary is also a celebration of Maori achievement in tennis and includes an interview with the first Maori and first New Zealand woman to make it to Wimbledon, Ruia Morrison-Davy.

It also looks at what Maori need to do to nurture more players like Morrison-Davy, by talking to those who have competed on the professional circuit overseas such as Rewa Hudson.

The support of Dick and Desrae Garrett – “the glue that keeps Maori Tennis running and growing” – in producing the documentary has been invaluable, Keelan says.

“There’s something for everyone. The old photographs and period music take viewers on a wonderful trip down memory lane. The highlight for most will be watching out for shots of their grandparents or great-grandparents, aunts and uncles.”

MAORI TENNIS – ACING IT AT 80 screens in Maori Television’s New Zealand Documentary slot, Pakipumeka Aotearoa, on Wednesday May 2 at 8.30 PM.

ENDS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MAORI TENNIS – ACING IT AT 80

Year 2007
Censor General Exhibition (G)
Duration 60-minute documentary film
Language English and Maori languages

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