The Maori language game show that rewards super-quick minds with cool cash is back on Maori Television from Monday June 16 2006 at 7.00 PM.

KUPUHUNA is a unique language-based game show that pairs fluent Maori speakers with second-language learners to compete for cash prizes. It screens from Monday to Friday each week in the 7.00 PM slot.

The series is made by executive producer Quinton Hita and his company Kura Productions, in a joint venture with South Pacific Pictures.

Hita says making KUPUHUNA has been a labour of love as well as a steep learning curve.

"One of the biggest indicators of the success of the first series was the amount of positive feedback from teachers all over the country, who used KUPUHUNA as a class exercise," says Hita. "Teachers also used it as a training tool. That's my idea of success."

The second series has also allowed Hita and his team to refine the game so viewers have a chance to get to know the contestants better.

"Rather than having heats as we did in the first series, there's now a carry-over champ," says Hita, who based KUPUHUNA on an overseas game show called Password. "We've also included behind-the-scenes footage to get a real feel for the competitors and their personalities. It's a lot of fun to watch, for everyone involved. After shooting more than 100 episodes, if the crew members are still laughing and on the edge of their seats while shooting KUPUHUNA, that's a good sign. It's all about having fun with the language."
How does KUPUHUNA work?

Take two well known New Zealanders (or clue givers) and two contestants, and pair them up.

The clue giver must give the contestant single word clues to help the contestant guess the kupuhuna (password) and win money.

The first team to reach the magic money target wins the chance to play in the quick-fire round, where one team member must convey 12 words to their partner using one-word clues in just 60 seconds. With time running out and only the first letter to help them, quick wits and nerves of steel are essential to claim the prize jackpot that multiplies with every word guessed correctly.

The winner of each episode goes on to compete against a new contestant. The more games they win, the more money they get.

KUPUHUNA is presented by Te Ori Paki (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe) who is one of nine children, five of whom have become television presenters. He is already well-known to Maori Television viewers for his role on popular lifestyle programme Mitre 10 Marae DIY.

"As a kid, I spoke te reo at home and had to learn to speak English," says Paki. "Even though I'm fluent, working on KUPUHUNA was an awesome chance to learn more about the language I have grown up with. It's much more than a game show."

PUBLICITY RELEASE

FRIDAY JUNE 2 2006

KUPUHUNA - 100% TE REO MAORI, 100% ADDICTIVE!

The Maori language game show that rewards super-quick minds with cool cash is back on Maori Television from Monday June 16 2006 at 7.00 PM.

KUPUHUNA is a unique language-based game show that pairs fluent Maori speakers with second-language learners to compete for cash prizes. It screens from Monday to Friday each week in the 7.00 PM slot.

The series is made by Shortland Street actor-turned-executive producer Quinton Hita and his company Kura Productions, in a joint venture with South Pacific Pictures.

Hita says making KUPUHUNA has been a labour of love as well as a steep learning curve.

"One of the biggest indicators of the success of the first series was the amount of positive feedback from teachers all over the country, who used KUPUHUNA as a class exercise," says Hita. "Teachers also used it as a training tool. That's my idea of success."

The second series has also allowed Hita and his team to refine the game so viewers have a chance to get to know the contestants better.

"Rather than having heats as we did in the first series, there's now a carry-over champ," says Hita, who based KUPUHUNA on an overseas game show called Password. "We've also included behind-the-scenes footage to get a real feel for the competitors and their personalities. It's a lot of fun to watch, for everyone involved. After shooting more than 100 episodes, if the crew members are still laughing and on the edge of their seats while shooting KUPUHUNA, that's a good sign. It's all about having fun with the language."

How does KUPUHUNA work?

Take two well known New Zealanders (or clue givers) and two contestants, and pair them up.

The clue giver must give the contestant single word clues to help the contestant guess the kupuhuna (password) and win money.

The first team to reach the magic money target wins the chance to play in the quick-fire round, where one team member must convey 12 words to their partner using one-word clues in just 60 seconds. With time running out and only the first letter to help them, quick wits and nerves of steel are essential to claim the prize jackpot that multiplies with every word guessed correctly.

The winner of each episode goes on to compete against a new contestant. The more games they win, the more money they get.

KUPUHUNA is presented by Te Ori Paki (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe) who is one of nine children, five of whom have become television presenters. He is already well-known to Maori Television viewers for his role on popular lifestyle programme Mitre 10 Marae DIY.

"As a kid, I spoke te reo at home and had to learn to speak English," says Paki. "Even though I'm fluent, working on KUPUHUNA was an awesome chance to learn more about the language I have grown up with. It's much more than a game show."

KUPUHUNA launches on Maori Television on Monday June 12 2006 at 7.00 PM.
PUBLICITY RELEASE

FRIDAY JUNE 2 2006

KUPUHUNA - 100% TE REO MAORI, 100% ADDICTIVE!

The Maori language game show that rewards super-quick minds with cool cash is back on Maori Television from Monday June 16 2006 at 7.00 PM.

KUPUHUNA is a unique language-based game show that pairs fluent Maori speakers with second-language learners to compete for cash prizes. It screens from Monday to Friday each week in the 7.00 PM slot.

The series is made by Shortland Street actor-turned-executive producer Quinton Hita and his company Kura Productions, in a joint venture with South Pacific Pictures.

Hita says making KUPUHUNA has been a labour of love as well as a steep learning curve.

"One of the biggest indicators of the success of the first series was the amount of positive feedback from teachers all over the country, who used KUPUHUNA as a class exercise," says Hita. "Teachers also used it as a training tool. That's my idea of success."

The second series has also allowed Hita and his team to refine the game so viewers have a chance to get to know the contestants better.

"Rather than having heats as we did in the first series, there's now a carry-over champ," says Hita, who based KUPUHUNA on an overseas game show called Password. "We've also included behind-the-scenes footage to get a real feel for the competitors and their personalities. It's a lot of fun to watch, for everyone involved. After shooting more than 100 episodes, if the crew members are still laughing and on the edge of their seats while shooting KUPUHUNA, that's a good sign. It's all about having fun with the language."

How does KUPUHUNA work?

Take two well known New Zealanders (or clue givers) and two contestants, and pair them up.

The clue giver must give the contestant single word clues to help the contestant guess the kupuhuna (password) and win money.

The first team to reach the magic money target wins the chance to play in the quick-fire round, where one team member must convey 12 words to their partner using one-word clues in just 60 seconds. With time running out and only the first letter to help them, quick wits and nerves of steel are essential to claim the prize jackpot that multiplies with every word guessed correctly.

The winner of each episode goes on to compete against a new contestant. The more games they win, the more money they get.

KUPUHUNA is presented by Te Ori Paki (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe) who is one of nine children, five of whom have become television presenters. He is already well-known to Maori Television viewers for his role on popular lifestyle programme Mitre 10 Marae DIY.

"As a kid, I spoke te reo at home and had to learn to speak English," says Paki. "Even though I'm fluent, working on KUPUHUNA was an awesome chance to learn more about the language I have grown up with. It's much more than a game show."

KUPUHUNA launches on Maori Television on Monday June 12 2006 at 7.00 PM.

PUBLICITY RELEASE

FRIDAY JUNE 2 2006

KUPUHUNA - 100% TE REO MAORI, 100% ADDICTIVE!

The Maori language game show that rewards super-quick minds with cool cash is back on Maori Television from Monday June 16 2006 at 7.00 PM.

KUPUHUNA is a unique language-based game show that pairs fluent Maori speakers with second-language learners to compete for cash prizes. It screens from Monday to Friday each week in the 7.00 PM slot.

The series is made by Shortland Street actor-turned-executive producer Quinton Hita and his company Kura Productions, in a joint venture with South Pacific Pictures.

Hita says making KUPUHUNA has been a labour of love as well as a steep learning curve.

"One of the biggest indicators of the success of the first series was the amount of positive feedback from teachers all over the country, who used KUPUHUNA as a class exercise," says Hita. "Teachers also used it as a training tool. That's my idea of success."

The second series has also allowed Hita and his team to refine the game so viewers have a chance to get to know the contestants better.

"Rather than having heats as we did in the first series, there's now a carry-over champ," says Hita, who based KUPUHUNA on an overseas game show called Password. "We've also included behind-the-scenes footage to get a real feel for the competitors and their personalities. It's a lot of fun to watch, for everyone involved. After shooting more than 100 episodes, if the crew members are still laughing and on the edge of their seats while shooting KUPUHUNA, that's a good sign. It's all about having fun with the language."

How does KUPUHUNA work?

Take two well known New Zealanders (or clue givers) and two contestants, and pair them up.

The clue giver must give the contestant single word clues to help the contestant guess the kupuhuna (password) and win money.

The first team to reach the magic money target wins the chance to play in the quick-fire round, where one team member must convey 12 words to their partner using one-word clues in just 60 seconds. With time running out and only the first letter to help them, quick wits and nerves of steel are essential to claim the prize jackpot that multiplies with every word guessed correctly.

The winner of each episode goes on to compete against a new contestant. The more games they win, the more money they get.

KUPUHUNA is presented by Te Ori Paki (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe) who is one of nine children, five of whom have become television presenters. He is already well-known to Maori Television viewers for his role on popular lifestyle programme Mitre 10 Marae DIY.

"As a kid, I spoke te reo at home and had to learn to speak English," says Paki. "Even though I'm fluent, working on KUPUHUNA was an awesome chance to learn more about the language I have grown up with. It's much more than a game show."

KUPUHUNA launches on Maori Television on Monday June 12 2006 at 7.00 PM.
The Maori language game show that rewards super-quick minds with cool cash is back on Maori Television from Monday June 16 2006 at 7.00 PM.

KUPUHUNA is a unique language-based game show that pairs fluent Maori speakers with second-language learners to compete for cash prizes. It screens from Monday to Friday each week in the 7.00 PM slot.

The series is made by Shortland Street actor-turned-executive producer Quinton Hita and his company Kura Productions, in a joint venture with South Pacific Pictures.

Hita says making KUPUHUNA has been a labour of love as well as a steep learning curve.

"One of the biggest indicators of the success of the first series was the amount of positive feedback from teachers all over the country, who used KUPUHUNA as a class exercise," says Hita. "Teachers also used it as a training tool. That's my idea of success."

The second series has also allowed Hita and his team to refine the game so viewers have a chance to get to know the contestants better.

"Rather than having heats as we did in the first series, there's now a carry-over champ," says Hita, who based KUPUHUNA on an overseas game show called Password. "We've also included behind-the-scenes footage to get a real feel for the competitors and their personalities. It's a lot of fun to watch, for everyone involved. After shooting more than 100 episodes, if the crew members are still laughing and on the edge of their seats while shooting KUPUHUNA, that's a good sign. It's all about having fun with the language."

How does KUPUHUNA work?
Take two well known New Zealanders (or clue givers) and two contestants, and pair them up.

The clue giver must give the contestant single word clues to help the contestant guess the kupuhuna (password) and win money.

The first team to reach the magic money target wins the chance to play in the quick-fire round, where one team member must convey 12 words to their partner using one-word clues in just 60 seconds. With time running out and only the first letter to help them, quick wits and nerves of steel are essential to claim the prize jackpot that multiplies with every word guessed correctly.

The winner of each episode goes on to compete against a new contestant. The more games they win, the more money they get.

KUPUHUNA is presented by Te Ori Paki (Tainui, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Tuhoe) who is one of nine children, five of whom have become television presenters. He is already well-known to Maori Television viewers for his role on popular lifestyle programme Mitre 10 Marae DIY.

"As a kid, I spoke te reo at home and had to learn to speak English," says Paki. "Even though I'm fluent, working on KUPUHUNA was an awesome chance to learn more about the language I have grown up with. It's much more than a game show."

KUPUHUNA screens on Maori Television weeknights at 7.00 PM.