Horowhenua-Kāpiti livestream booms with Heartland supporters stuck at home

HKRU's Cam Prouting, commentator Nathan Paki, cameraman Iain Mitchell and former HK prop Andre Baker were on of the few people allowed in the stand.

Covid-19 has thrown together a two-man broadcasting team gaining a cult following with their coverage of Horowhenua-Kāpiti home games in the Heartland rugby championship.

Foxton man Nathan Paki was shoulder tapped at the last minute to provide live commentary to home matches this season and didn't hesitate, teaming up with amateur cameraman Iain Mitchell.

With crowds not allowed at Levin Domain under alert level 2, followers of the HK team were now tuning in by the thousand to watch and listen to the livestream of the games.

Instant broadcasting team Nathan Paki and Iain Mitchell were shoulder tapped for their Covid-19 Heartland rugby coverage.

The coverage provided by Paki and Mitchell was outstanding, given they were thrown together at the last minute, and the uptake was huge. One match had almost 5000 views.

Paki and Mitchell set up their operation in the middle of the Levin Domain grandstand, which they had to themselves, but for a couple of officials and coaching staff.

There was no official contract sought. No rights reserved. They were both doing it for the love of the game, so that ardent supporters could still follow their team.

"And it got me in the gate," Paki joked.

HKRU's Cam Prouting, commentator Nathan Paki and cameraman Iain Mitchell.

Paki described himself as an average rugby player, but an avid fan of all sports, and he was one of those people to whom live commentary seemed to come effortlessly.

The commentary was top class and easy to listen to. It began before kick-off with an introduction of both teams, and continued through the game with an accurate description of play.

What was unique was the commentary would be audible to the players themselves when play was near the grandstand touchline.

HKRU's Cam Prouting, commentator Nathan Paki, cameraman Iain Mitchell and former HK prop Andre Baker were on of the few people allowed in the stand.