The new Tagata Pasifika team. Photo: TVNZ

Pacific Press Release – Television New Zealand, 8 Sept 2009

New look for Tagata Pasifika

Tuesday 8 September, 2009

Tagata Pasifika, New Zealand’s flagship Pacific Island show relaunches with a new format and look, Thursday 10 September, at 11pm on TV ONE.

Now in its 23rd season, Tagata Pasifika serves the Pacific Island communities in New Zealand and increasingly in the South Pacific region via TVNZ’s Pacific Service.

General manager of Maori and Pacific Programmes at TVNZ, Paora Maxwell, is excited by the changes. “The Pacific communities are an integral part of New Zealand, and Tagata Pasifika has an important role to reflect these communities on New Zealand’s screens. The show’s revamp will continue to engage with Pasifika communities.”

Acting producer, John Utanga, says Tagata Pasifika must continually seek to engage with its audience, and the structuring of the show and story selection will achieve that, while staying true to its Pacific roots.

Tagata Pasifika’s new presenters, Angela Tiatia and Tom Natoealofa both grew up in the Pacific communities in South Auckland. Angela, who is also currently studying a Bachelor of Visual Arts, is no stranger to television screens having appeared in Shortland Street and many modelling assignments.

Tom, who is completing a Pacific Island Performing Arts Diploma, says he is delighted to be Tagata Pasifika’s co-presenter. He’s from a theatrical background and is a proud Samoan.

Beatrice Faumuina, the show’s presenter for the last four years, has left TVNZ to pursue other commitments and opportunities. She wishes the programme well for the future.

Tagata Pasifika screens Thursday nights at 11pm and Sunday mornings at 7.30am on TV ONE. Tagata Pasifika also screens on TVNZ 7 and on Maori Television.

Source:  tvnz.co.nz

Tagata Pasifika: tvnz.co.nz/tagata-pasifika