“They’re just showing off their muscles” – Judging the uso of Game of Bros with Aunty Henga

Madeleine Chapman and her Aunty Henga assess the skills, builds, and tattoos in Game of Bros, a reality quest for the ultimate Polynesian warrior. Game of Bros premiered last night on Māori television after much anticipation and illegal advertising. The show seeks to find the ultimate island warrior, pitting twelve men against each other in various traditional tasks. … Read more

Devoted to his people, and to truth – Anne Salmond on Ranginui Walker

The acclaimed author and academic Ranginui Walker was farewelled over recent days by hundreds of mourners at Auckland’s Ōrākei Marae. Among those who spoke at the tangi was his former colleague Dame Anne Salmond. Ko te wai e hora nei, ko Waitematā, Ko te marae e takoto nei, ko Tumutumuwhenua, Ko koutou āku rangatira kua … Read more

Television: “A Show for the People” – Witnessing the End of Homai Te Pakipaki’s Māori Karaoke

Homai Te Pakipaki has been a mainstay every Friday night on Māori Television, encouraging people from all walks to life to “bring your keyboard and your mates for a jam”. José Barbosa went behind the scenes during the Grand Final, before the karaoke show shuts down after nine glorious years. The first time I watched Homai Te … Read more

Recap: The Return of the (Mike) King in Maori TV’s World Forklift League

Calum Henderson goes forking mad for the latest competitive sport to hit Maori TV: furious forklift driving in The World Forklift League. Proof that mad genius is alive and well in Aotearoa New Zealand: 1. Somebody came up with the idea of forklift driving as a competitive sport 2. They then packaged that idea as … Read more