Urban Teens Get A Taste Of Rodeo In Television Series

Urban Teens Get A Taste Of Rodeo In New Maori Television Series

Kiwi kids are taken out of their comfort zones and thrown into rodeo boot camp in Maori Television’s new series, CITY SLICKERS RODEO, premiering Friday May 2 at 8pm.

Over 13 action-packed episodes, six urban youths learn the rough and tough sport of rodeo from two of New Zealand’s best cowboys, Clarry Church and Tui Teka jnr.

At the end of the series they will enter a rodeo competition for real to see if their new skills are up to the test.

Producer Michelle Lee, from Te Atatu-based Kapu Ti Productions, says the teens found it difficult having to ditch their phones and internet connections during filming.

“Some of them had never touched a horse before,” she says.

“They’re total city slickers.”

CITY SLICKERS RODEO travels across the country from Whangarei to the Southern Alps teaching the teens, who are mostly from Auckland, the tricks of the rodeo.

Clarry Church, a 15-time national rodeo champ, says the group of three girls and three guys came a long way during filming.

“When I first saw them I wondered what I had got myself into, but they’re cool kids. “They’re fit and young and they want to succeed.”

Year 13 student Tianarangi Robinson, from Mangere, had never been on a horse before filming started late last year.

Now, she says she wants to get into barrel racing and riding horses in the future.

“People will learn a lot from the show and see that like any sport it involves teamwork, learning proper technique, skills, vision, respect and tikanga in things like the clothing.”

Joining Tianarangi (Te Taitokerau, Te Rarawa, Tainui, Ngai Tahu) in the rodeo boot camp are: Oromairoa Rangawhenua (Tuhoe, Waikato), Amohia Afeaki (Nga Tapuwae),

Moetu Bell (Te Arawa), Selwyn Herewini Tepania (Ngapuhi nui tonu) and Whatu Angus (Ngati Porou).

Tune in to CITY SLICKERS RODEO from May 2 on Maori Television.

ENDS

© Scoop Media