PUBLICITY RELEASE
Thursday September 14 2006

King of Tonga Tangihanga on Maori Television

Maori Television’s nightly news programme TE KAEA and weekly current affairs show TE HETERI will present in-depth coverage of the tangihanga for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV in Tonga.

Journalist Anzac Pikia will report live from the king’s island home for TE KAEA every night from tonight (Thursday September 14 at 7.30 PM) until the day of the state funeral next Tuesday September 19.

Meanwhile, senior Maori Television journalist Wena Harawira is compiling a half-hour special for broadcast on TE HETERI on Wednesday September 20 at 8.00 PM.

The programme will include coverage of the Tongan customs surrounding the state funeral – similar to the Maori tangihanga – as well as the lessons to be learnt by other Pacific nations from both the Tongan and Maori economies.

“Maorj have farewelled Te Atairangikaahu and welcomed Tuheitia as the Arikinui,” Harawira explains. “Tonga is burying a king and is now looking at a future under a new rule.”

TE KAEA screens every night at 7.30 PM while TE HETERI goes to air on Wednesdays at 8.00 PM

ENDS

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