Maori Television Honours Sir Howard Morrison

29 Sep 2009

Maori Television will pay tribute to renowned New Zealand musician and entertainer Sir Howard Morrison with special television coverage on the day of his Rotorua tangihanga - Tuesday 29th September 2009.

A live broadcast from Te Papaiouru Marae at Ohinemutu will go to air from 9am to 1pm, and will be followed by the channel's three part documentary series - "Sir Howard Morrison: He Kotuku Rerenga Tahi" - which premiered in December 2008. Two of the three hour-long episodes will screen from 1pm to 3pm with the third and final part at 8.30pm. Maori TV's daily news programme "Te Kaea" will also have special coverage at 7.30pm (and with English subtitles at 11pm).

"The saying 'He kotuku rerenga tahi' refers to the white heron as the bird of single flight, a sight seen perhaps only once in a lifetime" says Maori Television Chief Executive Jim Mather. "Sir Howard epitomizes this pepeha - an iconic New Zealander who bridged the gap across generations as one of our most successful and best loved entertainers. Our condolences go out to the Morrison whanau at this time."