Columns

Working away in my office at Te Roopū Māori whare you hear a lot of things. Mondays are usually interesting hearing about the events of the weekend; but of late so are Thursday mornings due to the new “reality” TV show The GC.

For those that don’t know, it’s a show that follows a group of young Māori living the high-life in Australia’s Gold Coast. The creator quotes that the cast of this new series depict Māori people today.

I’ve talked to people, some who even know the cast, about their thoughts on the show, and the opinions vary considerably. Having had a brief look at some of the feedback in news articles and from friends I can’t help but mention some of the good and the not-so-good.

THE NOT SO GOOD: Why is money being invested to shoot a show in Oz, trying to depict a revised definition of Māori when obviously it’s not even a true reflection? Wouldn’t it be better if we used that money towards shows that have true Māori with mana. Congratulations to TV3 for providing this country with the most appalling, low-rent, pointless piece of crap I have ever seen in my life. Furthermore, this show is absolute rubbish. Wannabe Jersey Shore type shows that makes Māori look like an absolute joke. Can only but think about the $420,000 spent, and how it could have been better spent.

THE GOOD: Most shows portray Māori in shows like Police Ten 7, rising statistics in obesity, smoking and crime all stacked against them. But here is a show at the other end of the scale. The cast are Māori and are proud of whom they are. Some say “good on them”; they are not supposed to be role models, just young Māori going and living the life, making a few dollars and having fun at the same time. Not to mention my ultimate favourite, the boys are HOT – why not watch them?

All in all take from it what you want; bad publicity is better than no publicity and it’s a hit or miss in some cases, you either hate it or love it. It shows the importance of staying in school and getting a good education, life is made of choices so take your place in the world whānau.

Not too much longer until exams and hope studying is going well, today we are having free kai at the whare for lunch between 12:30pm-2pm so haere mai whānau.
Ma te wa

–Lisa