Peter Arnett Delivers Anzac Address For Maori TV

Peter Arnett Delivers Anzac Address For Maori Television

Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent Peter Arnett returns home from China to deliver this year’s ANZAC ADDRESS for New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television.

For the second year in a row, a pre-eminent New Zealander has been invited to deliver a speech on the themes of ANZAC which will be filmed at Maori Television’s Auckland studio on Tuesday April 22 and broadcast as part of the station’s all-day ANZAC coverage on Friday April 25 at 12.00 PM. Members of the public who wish to take part in the studio recording of the ANZAC ADDRESS can email anzacday@maoritelevision.com.

Southland-born Arnett who is of Ngai Tahu descent has been reporting on war and global conflicts from Vietnam to Iraq for more than 40 years. Not only is he one of the best known journalists of the last half century, he also has a personal and enduring interest in ANZAC Day. Currently a professor of journalism at China’s Shantou University, Mr Arnett says he feels privileged and honoured to deliver this year’s ANZAC ADDRESS.

“ANZAC Day has always been special to me and I have been to ceremonies at New Zealand embassies and with Kiwi troops, in the Vietnam era, in many locations around the world over the past 50 years. Commemorating the 2008 event back home in New Zealand will be a thrill, particularly on Maori Television.”

Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather says the ANZAC ADDRESS offers a personal reflection or opinion, a challenge to popular belief, invoking thought and a call to action. The goal is to advance the cause of peace and the address will contribute to the discussion while deepening the sentiment that surrounds this special day in our calendar.

“The ANZAC ADDRESS marks a very important episode in our history, reminding us of what our nation lost during those years of conflict, yet at the same time what we gained - bravery, tenacity, practicality, ingenuity and loyalty,” Mr Mather says. “Together our forces fought, lived and died and in the process created a nation. We are extremely honoured to have Peter Arnett on the podium this year.”

Arnett has spent a lifetime covering wars and international crises for major American news organisations, most recently the second Gulf War in 2003 and the long bloody aftermath. He is best known for his live television coverage from Baghdad during the first Gulf War in 1991 and his reporting is credited with making CNN a household name. Millions of viewers tuned in around the world to watch his dramatic accounts of the intense bombing campaign - and his interview with President Saddam Hussein. Arnett won a television Emmy for that assignment.

Arnett lectures regularly at universities in China and elsewhere in Asia and has arranged conferences on international reporting. In the Queen’s honors of 2006, he was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to journalism. In addition to his 55 journalism awards, Arnett has also received honorary doctorate degrees from universities in the United States and Brazil. He will give an exclusive, in-depth television interview with Maori Television’s current affairs show, NATIVE AFFAIRS, on Monday April 28 at 8.00 PM.

Maori Television will screen the ANZAC ADDRESS on Friday April 25 at 12.00 PM. Text ANZAC to 3553 (text messages cost 20c each) to book your 5.45 AM wake-up text on ANZAC Day.

ENDS

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