21 March 2006

2006 Maori Media Awards

Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori wish to congratulate all those involved in this year’s 2006 Maori Media Awards, held on Saturday (18.3.06) at the Gisborne Showgrounds Park Event Centre.

“We were encouraged to hear reo Maori spoken so often and so eloquently throughout the night. From the highly entertaining presenters Matai Smith and Stacey Morrison to the stunning array of talented participants including Julian Wilcox, Shane Taurima and Kingi Taurua who each won two categories – their passion and excellence within te reo Maori is an inspiration,” says Maori Language Commissioner Patu Hohepa.

“We wish to thank all Maori Media for their excellence and their commitment to making our living national taonga, reo Maori, an everyday means of communication. It is because of their efforts and commitment that many people are giving it a go to korero Maori – Kia Kaha Ake ki a tatou katoa,” Patu said.

“We support the Minister of Maori Affairs message on the night that the older generation need to encourage and support the new crop of journalists now coming through. There also needs to be a system in place that supports gaining excellence in reo Maori as part of their training,” he said.

Te Taura Whiri acknowledges the national federation of Maori radio stations, Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Maori o Aotearoa, Te Runanga o Turanganui-a-Kiwa and Te Runanga o Ngati Porou for hosting such an enjoyable and well organised event.

Nearly 100 entries in 10 categories were received from members of the federation, providers to the Maori radio network, Maori Television, mainstream television and television providers.

Categories include best sports programme, best outside broadcast, best youth programme, best programme in any genre, best Maori language programme, best Maori language presenter, best Maori language television presenter (male and female), most significant contribution to the industry, and for the first time new categories for the best bilingual programme and best bilingual presenter.

Entries are judged on factors such as Maori language, listener appeal, entertainment value, audience participation and involvement, technical delivery, production expertise, originality, innovation, immediacy, professionalism, accuracy and clarity.

The winners were:

Category	Winner/s	Station
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau – Hakinakina Best Programme - Sports	Julian Wilcox & Te Arahi Maipi	Radio Waatea
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau - Pahotanga Taiao Best Programme Outside Broadcast	Julian Wilcox & Te Arahi Maipi	Radio Waatea
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau – Rangatahi Best Programme - Youth	Miss Kihi & Tumamao Harawira	Tai 92 FM
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau - Momo Watea Best Programme - Open	Joylene Rohe Karauria	Radio hungunu
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau - Reo Rua Best Programme - Bilingual	Shane Taurima	Ruia Mai
Kaiwhakataki o Te Tau - Reo Rua Best Presenter - Bilingual	Shane Taurima	Ruia Mai
Kaiwhakataki Reo Maori - Wahine Best Reo Maori Television Presenter – Female	Ngarimu Daniels	Maori Television Service
Kaiwhakataki Reo Maori – Tane Best Reo Maori Television Presenter – Male	Matai Smith	Cinco Cine Film Productions Ltd
Whakaaturanga o Te Tau - Reo Maori Best Programme – Reo Maori	Kingi Taurua	Radio Waatea
Kaiwhakataki o Te Tau - Reo Maori Best Presenter – Reo Maori	Kingi Taurua	Radio Waatea
Takoha Nui o Te Tau Most Significant Contribution to the Industry	Wiremu Pryor	The winner of this award has been selected by the Executive of Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi Maori

We would like to remind and encourage participants to also enter the Maori Language Week Awards this year. Maori Language week recognises the contribution that individuals or organisations make to raise the awareness of reo Maori in Aotearoa through their various promotions or projects during Maori Language Week and throughout the year. Maori Language week is to be held from Monday 24- Sunday 30 July this year, with the awards night being held on September 14 in Auckland.