More people tuned in to watch the debut of a documentary series about the Whangarei suburb of Otangarei than any other show on Maori TV that day.
Te Hau Awhiowhio - the Winds of Change, premiered on Maori TV last Sunday and a Maori Television spokesman said it was themost watched programme that day.
"It's always great to see locally made programming being so well received and it's even more pleasing that the film maker, Rewi Heke, is now a staff member at Maori Television."
The documentary series follows stories from the people, the school and community groups in the low socio-economic suburb over three years.
Mr Heke said he realised the story of Otangarei was an important one to tell, the area often making headlines for all the wrong reasons. He wanted to show that Otangarei was changing and the next generation was the key to turning around its reputation.
"For me, personally it's important for the next generation, for the youth. (The documentary series) gives them somewhere to go, gives them an idea what they can have in the area."
The first part of the documentary series introduced the people involved in making the series. It also showed a family from Otangarei and struggles members faced. It also introduced Te Kura o Otangarei, the Otangarei Trust and collective Te Hau Awhiowhio - the inspiration behind the series' name.
The second part of Te Hau Awhiowhio - the Winds of Change will air tomorrow at 6.30pm. To view the first episode visit http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/te-hau-awhiowhio
