Code Celebrates 250th Episode

Wednesday May 29, 2013

CODE CELEBRATES 250th EPISODE TOMORROW ON MAORI TELEVISION

CODE, Maori Television’s primetime sports show, celebrates 250 episodes on air tomorrow - Thursday, May 30 at 8.30pm.

In this special show, presenters Jenny-May Coffin, Glen Osborne, Awen Guttenbeil, Karl Te Nana and Wairangi Koopu take a trip down memory lane with a look back at some of the highlights, including guests, stories, demonstrations and bands over the past nine years.

Since starting in 2005, CODE has gained a reputation for featuring top sports stars and celebrities. Sir Graham Henry, David Tua, Lisa Carrington, Sarah Walker, Mahe Drysdale, Sonny-Bill Williams, The Harlem Globetrotters and Anthony Mundine are just a few of the famous names to have sat on the CODE couch.

The show has also been a big promoter of grassroots, smaller and lesser known sports including uni-cycling, football juggling, pole fitness, calisthenics and sheep shearing.

Executive Producer Piri Wano says getting to 250 episodes is a huge achievement. “We are really delighted that we have come this far.”

CODE was the brainchild of former executive producer of sport at Maori Television, Bailey Mackey.

The first series of 30-minute programmes was commissioned to run for just 20 episodes and featured Julian Wilcox, Tawera Nikau, Jenny-May Coffin, Rewa Harriman (nee Hudson), Matua Parkinson and Slade McFarland.

Current presenter, Wairangi Koopu, was the first guest on the debut show and soon after was promoted to a more regular role.

In 2006, the show was increased to an hour in duration and was broadcast live-to-air.

The show quickly gained a strong following and became one of the marque shows on Maori Television.

In 2007, CODE was voted best sports show in New Zealand at the Air New Zealand Screen Awards, and in 2008, it took home the Maori Sports Media Award.

Guests on this week’s 250th episode are Tawera Nikau, Matua Parkinson, Richie Barnett and Ruben Wiki. Troy Kingi will perform ‘Break a Bone’.

Winners of the Maori Television NBA Fly to the Finals and Grabaseat State of Origin Competition will also be announced.

Tune in to Maori Television on Thursday, May 30 at 8.30pm to CODE’s special 250th episode.

ENDS

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