Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Ara Hou English teacher William Barnes says his students'
reaction has bolstered his triumphant Mastermind win. The Havelock North local
chats to Mark Story.
1 What sort of reaction have you had from students at your school?
At my kura, the excitement has built and built since they first saw me in Hawke's Bay Today before my heat. Coming to school after every episode has been very exciting. The only difficulty was after the heat when I passed on a question about a song about Prince Tui Teka. All the students claimed they knew the answer, when it was their parents who knew, and they kept reminding me. On the Monday after the final, everyone was desperate to see me but they had to wait a day while I spoke to media up in Auckland. There were a lot of posts from students about me on social media and 10 primary school students trapped me in a group hug. Members of Koiri house were particularly excited as I wore my house T-shirt during the final.
2 What's the most intriguing thing that happened backstage that never made TV?
The atmosphere before filming was very relaxed. Contenders had to arrive two hours before filming to get their makeup done and their mics wired up. We sat around and talked in order to pass the time and ease our nerves. I annoyed the other contenders, particularly before the final, by making really bad dad jokes. I also made a few on set between takes - it made me feel better.
3 Are you intending to defend your title?
No ... it is time for another Magpie to bring home the chair.