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Maori Television and Te Puni Kokiri have come up with a new reality format, an awards ceremony celebrating Maori achievement.
The inaugural Matariki Awards will be broadcast live from Auckland War Memorial Museum on June 26.
The event will be hosted by Stacey Morrison and Matai Smith and feature live performances by Ria Hall and The Modern Maori Quartet.
In keeping with the Matariki theme of seven stars, there will be seven award categories and one supreme award, Te Tohu Tiketike o Matariki.
Contenders in the arts and entertainment category Te Waipuna-a-Rangi include actor Cliff Curtis, singer Stan Walker and artist, Lisa Reihana.
The sports section, Te Waita, will be between All Black Nehe Milner-Skudder, Olympian canoer Lisa Carrington and Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph, while are Miraka, Ngai Tahu Tourism and Tainui Group Holdings line up in the business section.
There are also awards for young achievers, health and science, education, and contributions to the revitalisation of te reo Maori.
As well as the 90-minute awards broadcast, the various finalists will be profiled in three shows through June, Nga Whetu o Matariki.
Copyright © 2016, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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