'Mini Heartland' focus on Waiouru

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 676, 4 March 1997, Page 3

'Mini Heartland' focus on Waiouru

The bicultural teenage music show, 'Mai Time', shot segments of daily life in Waiouru to screen on television at 1 1am on 26 April. Director of the Mai Time show, Matt Sumich, said they were doing a "mini -heartland" or postcard music/video series of life in small-town New Zealand. While they usually make contact through the local high school, Waiouru's Army focus had meant that they could take a wider approach for their story. Filling Ihe gap between student and soldier, local presenters, Rewi Thomas and Thomas Nepia finished Hato Paora College last year and are currently waiting to join the Army in April. They showed Mr Sumich and his brother and cameraman, Anthony Sumich, some of a typical day's activities in Waiouru. With much to choose from, the group focused on the Marae where soldiers from Six Hauraki Territorial Force performed an impromptu haka. They were also able to watch part of the rugby game for the Four Logistics Battalion Champion Company competition. Then it was on to the 800-man mess where Rewi and Thomas got to practise their culinary skills and help prepare the evening meal. This was excellent training for Rewi, who is going into the catering area, but a little hard on Thomas who plans to be an engineer. The Youth Club was also targeted as was the gymnasium with its climbing-wall and high-wire confidence course. Locals will be interested to view the final video and to hear reactions about 'life in Waiouru'.