MTS Best Maori Language Programme

Tuesday November 15 2005

Maori Television Congratulates Best Maori Language Programme

Maori Television extends warm congratulations to Cinco Cine Film Productions for winning Best Maori Programme at the weekend's Qantas Television Awards.

KORERO MAI - the unique language-learning drama series screening on Maori Television daily at 7.00 PM and 10.30 PM - was awarded the honour over two other finalists at the ceremony held in Auckland on Saturday night.

The programme is produced for Maori Television by Cinco Cine Film Productions and is structured around a soap opera drama. Each episode introduces, illustrates and reinforces key language concepts and includes a tutorial component for easy revision.

The programme was created by Nicole Hoey and Hone Edwards over a period of three years and is currently produced by Viv Wigby-Ngatai and directed by Hori Ahipene, Rawiri Paratene and Karim Nathan.

"The Korero Mai whanau and the whanau whanui at Cinco Cine are proud to have been acknowledged by the TV industry with this award. I would also like to acknowledge both Front of The Box Productions (Eye to Eye) and Showdown Productions (Mama Tere) who were fellow finalists in this category. We are proud to be nominated alongside such company.

"It is very encouraging to receive feedback from our audience who not only enjoy watching the programme but use it as was intended - to learn the Maori language. This award is a win for reo Maori," says producer Viv Wigby-Ngatai.

Maori Television chief executive officer Jim Mather agrees. "Maori Television congratulates Cinco Cine for their success with Korero Mai. It is a groundbreaking programme that has made Maori language-learning accessible to a wide audience and we look forward to further development of its unique concept."

Maori Television Manager of Acquisitions and Commissioning Manutai Schuster adds: "Cinco Cine thoroughly deserves this accolade having taken on a very important genre - a Maori language learning programme specifically designed to meet the language learning requirements of Maori Television legislation. This has resulted in a loyal audience for Korero Mai including a high percentage of non-Maori."

KORERO MAI continues to screen on Maori Television from Monday to Saturday at 7.00 PM with repeats at 10.30 PM.

KORERO MAI will screen its season final in the 7.00 PM slot on Saturday December 3, and will continue with repeated revision episodes in the 10.30 PM slot over the summer season.

ENDS

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