Pio with 'Miss Kihi' Ririnui during the Bay of Islands leg of his walk of the Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Photo / Supplied
Pio with 'Miss Kihi' Ririnui during the Bay of Islands leg of his walk of the Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff. Photo / Supplied
A new TV series starting this week will follow comedian Pio Terei as he walks the Te Araroa Trail from Cape Reinga to Bluff and meets a host of characters along the way.
Episode one, on Friday, starts at Cape Reinga and meanders down Ninety Mile Beach. Along the wayhe meets Kaitaia carver Peter Griffiths, gets some fishing tips from a sassy 10-year-old, and catches up with a Dalmatian dance troupe.
In episode two, filmed in the Bay of Islands, he goes pig hunting in Waitangi Forest, learns some bush medicine, and meets Kaikohe's colourful Miss Kihi Ririnui.
Shared nationhood is the underlying theme of the seven-part series called Te Araroa: Tales from the Trails.
It premieres at 8.30pm on March 13 on Maori Television.
Mr Terei is well acquainted with Northland. His mother hails from Mitimiti in North Hokianga, where he returns each year to host the Kutai (Mussel) Festival.
