Election Gets HD Tick on Maori TV

Maori TV has confirmed its election night coverage will be in HD.

Although the network hasn’t disclosed when it will make the switch from SD, it will be broadcasting in 1080i by election night.

Today it released details of its Election Aotearoa coverage, which it promises will be energetic and expert.

“Our newsroom reflects critical young voters,” Head of News and Current Affairs, Maramena Roderick, says.

“They’re smart and award winning. Who better to drive a new style of coverage and question their future than them?”

Here’s rest of the press release:

Election Aotearoa’s engaging approach includes a fresh take on promotions and special online excerpts with Your Voice, Your Vote presenting a young point of view on the parties and candidates.

To further youth engagement, all Māori Television’s debates are moving out of studio to live student audiences.

Election Aotearoa launches its first leadership debate from Manukau Institute of Technology on August 22 at 8pm on Māori Television.

Candidates from all the Māori seats have confirmed attendance and will go head to head in debates from Victoria and Waikato Universities.

The debates will be livestreamed on both Māori Television and stuff.co.nz websites.

“We must tackle the tough issues but our added point of difference is daring to have a bit of fun. Even our graphics have been modernised and reinvigorated,” said Roderick.

On election night September 23, Māori Television will broadcast live from 7pm. Anchors Oriini Kaipara, Matai Smith and Heta Gardiner will be crossing to multiple reporters and crew across the country.

In studio, our expert panel of Dame Tariana and Sir Mark will be joined by seasoned broadcasters to dissect the incoming results.

A second studio youth panel with anchor Kawe Roes will canvass social media and whether young New Zealanders actually made a difference.

A post-election special will air Sunday 24th September from 8am featuring the winners and a sweep of what went right or wrong.

TVNZ and Three already have released details of their election coverage.

Mike Hosking will moderate the three televised leaders debates on TVNZ 1 and Jack Tame will host the live streamed Young Voters debate in the lead up to polling day.

All debates will be live streamed on 1 News Now, Facebook and YouTube and simulcast on Newstalk ZB.

• The first live leaders debate will be on August 31 at 7.00
• On September 8 at 7.00, 1 News’ 90 minute multi-party debate will bring together the potential coalition partners of the major parties
• The 1 News Young Voters Debate, a 90-minute special focusing on youth issues in association with Auckland University, will be live streamed via One News Now  on 14 September from 7.30
• The final leaders debate will air September 20 from 7.00.

The 1 News Vote 17 Election Night Special will be fronted by  Hosking with Hilary Barry, Simon Dallow and Wendy Petrie,  Corin Dann and Jehan Casinader.

“New state of the art graphics and studio tech will take viewers closer to election developments,” TVNZ  news and current affairs chief John Gillespie says.

“Excitingly, E\election night will give viewers their first look of 1 News’ new augmented reality studio set up – it will enhance our visual storytelling and dynamically bring the election results to life.”

The morning after the election, Q + A will screen a two-hour round-up from 7.30am and Marae  have all seven successful Maori seat MPs live on the show from 10am.

Duncan Garner will be hosting Three’s election night special from 7.00. He will be joined by Newshub Political Editor Patrick Gower and The Nation host, Lisa Owen.

Three will also be hosting a live leaders debate from 8.30 on September 4, in front of an audience of undecided voters at the BNZ Theatre, Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau.

Three’s #Decision17 Coverage

• September 4, 8.30: Leaders debate 
• September 23, 7.00: Live election coverage 
• September 24, 9am: The Hui post-election night 60-minute special
• September 24, 10am: The Nation live post-election night 90 minute special.