A Rotorua woman will face one of her greatest fears with the help of international toastmaster and local funnyman Kingi Biddle this week.
After having a "confidence in public speaking makeover", Miria Flavell, 23, will be interviewed in te reo Maori by her idol, seasoned broadcaster Julian Wilcox, for Ka
Tu, Ka Korero on Maori Television.
The series, which is set to screen later this year, will see people with a fear of public speaking undergo a "makeover" by Biddle with personalised mentoring and workshops, to help them "unlock the gift of korero" and complete a challenge based around their fears.
Miss Flavell, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Maori Development mastering in Maori Media in August, said she had always wanted to get into broadcasting but felt she needed a confidence boost if she was ever to land a job presenting or interviewing in te reo Maori.
"Even though I was brought up speaking te reo, I have the confidence to do it in te reo Pakeha [English] but not in te reo Maori, especially if I have to talk to people who are really matatau [expert speakers]."