Whanau to the fore as father and son front new TV show

CLOSE CONNECTION: Chris Winitana will co-host a new current affairs show with son Tupoutahi.

Father and son duo Chris and Tupoutahi Winitana are joining forces to co-host Maori Television's new current affairs show, Paepae.

Paepae (the orator's bench on a marae) series replaces Te Tepu, which Chris Winitana has presented for the past three years.

The weekly series will feature some of the country's best speakers of te reo Mori, who will discuss their views on local, national and international issues.

Producer Hone Edwards said it was exciting to see Chris Winitana in a new light alongside his son Tupoutahi as the voice of youth.

"At the last census there were 127,600 Maori aged 15-24 years - Tupoutahi is the face of this rising youth demographic and brings a younger perspective to the paepae."

Tupoutahi and his siblings were home-schooled in a total immersion Maori language environment at Te Kura o Ahorangi, in Turangi, Ngati Tuwharetoa.

He first appeared on television presenting the Maori language kids programme Tikitiki, when he was 10. Now aged 26, he is busy running his own Maori consultation company, Rau Ltd and producing music. Tpoutahi will also present a new Maori Television series called Kairakau, which will screen later this year.

Tune into Paepae every Sunday at 6.30pm to get an insightful and diverse perspective on the latest issues.