A Fitting Finale for Takataapui

PUBLICITY RELEASE
FOR RELEASE WEEK MON JULY 11 TO SUN JULY 17

A Fitting Finale for Takataapui

TAKATAAPUI – New Zealand’s only lifestyle series for gay, lesbian and transgender Maori – is set to screen a fitting finale this Friday July 17 at 9.30 PM.

Presenters Tania Simon, Taurewa Biddle and Ramon Te Wake join together in this week’s final to reflect on the highlights of both series’ that have screened on Maori Television. Says Ramon : “We’ve met so many fantabulous people – at their work, on the stage, on the sportsfield and in their homes.”

The final episode pays tribute to some of the highlights and characters that have added to the vibrant tapestry of gay Maori in Aotearoa.

William Ormond (Ngati Kahungunu) is by day a self-confessed insecure worker at the Auckland International Airport. But, by night William undergoes a massive transformation to become the larger-than-life Miss Kola. “William fits into Miss Kola’s life. He’s probably the real person, whereas Miss Kola’s more fantasy. William is insecure, whereas Kola doesn’t give two hoots about what is happening. It’s like being married to yourself, but we’ve got a common purpose,” says William.

From drag queens to just a drag, regular safe sex presenter Wairua Sadler re-screens his segment on stalking. “Tonight, an issue that affects not just the famous, but the fabulously ordinary people like you and me. Stalking is the wilful, malicious and repeated harassment of another person. Surprisingly, most will be our ex-partners,” he says.

The final of TAKATAAPUI also revisits with dvice store owner Ema Lyon (Ngati Porou) and glitter artist Rueben Patterson (Ngati Rangitihi) to reflect on being gay and being in business.

And, celebrated radio announcer Henare Te Ua shares his experiences from a time when homosexuality was less accepted in society. “I remember in the early days in Auckland when there was only one gay club open. Putting things into perspective, I’m talking about a period when there was entrapment by the police and male to male sexuality was a criminal offence. If you were discovered by police, you’d be thrown into prison. Those same people put together the fabric of what you’re enjoying today, so never ever forget them,” he says.

TAKATAAPUI screens its series final this Friday July 17 at 9.30 PM.

Ends

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR TAKATAAPUI

Year 2005
Censor Adults Only (AO)
Duration 13-part, half-hour series
Language Maori and English languages

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