Few manage to turn something they love into a successful career, but Piripi Curtis has.
He is managing director of Hikoi NZ Ltd, the production company behind Maori Television's popular Hunting Aotearoa programme.
For the school teacher turned television producer, the show is an opportunity to combine his flair for technology with his own interest in hunting.
"I am very proud of Hunting Aotearoa because it truly reflects the hunting community and characters found all over our country."
Piripi says it is the highest rating show on Maori Television and the longest running of Hikoi's programmes, which include Mahinga Kai and The Paparuru Show.
It was also his first production.
"I had, until this point, never been a part of any television production. Luckily my younger brother was a cameraman with 20 years' experience and many credits to is name."
That brother is Richard Curtis and hearing about his experiences in television lured Piripi away from the classroom. He taught at Rotoiti and Kaitao Intermediate schools before being appointed deputy principal at Whangamarino School. Piripi's interest in technology led him into an IT role with Ruamata and various North Island kura kaupapa Maori, where he learnt to use video technology to motivate students.
"I picked up some editing jobs through Richard's contacts, which eventually led to him and I pitching our programme idea to Maori Television."
However, the inspiration behind Hunting Aotearoa dates back to 1989 when Richard was on a television course. "Richard wanted to film a hunting show, so I organised a couple of my mates to take him deer hunting in the Kaimanawa Ranges, south of Turangi.
"I tagged along to carry his gear. From this doco Richard got the idea to make a hunting show one day."
The documentary was a mixed success as Richard was repositioning the camera when the kill was made and he missed the shot.
"We had to film a shot of the stag rolling down the hill to try and get a kill effect - not such a good outcome, but better than nothing."
The hunting show concept wasn't pitched to Maori Television until 2005, after their father was removed as chairman of Te Mangai Paho and they felt able to apply for funding.
"Luckily for us, the commissioners of Maori Television at the time considered us worthy.
"Howie [Morrison Jnr] and I were playing squash regularly at the time and we managed to get him to agree to come on board as the presenter."
Piripi and the Hikoi team continue to keep up with new technology and now film Hunting Aotearoa in high definition. "It costs us more to make the show in HD, but the viewing quality is far superior and when Maori Television finally broadcasts in HD, Hunting Aotearoa will be ready."
Piripi has also been a tourism operator, including roles as operations manager for Waka Hikoi NZ, organising kayaking trips and Marae stays, and as general manager of Rotoiti tours, including hangi and concert at Rakeiao Marae. He is a trustee of the marae and is part of a number of community organisations. He is chairman of the Manupirua Hot Pools Trust and a member of the Western Heights Board of Trustees and the Rotary Club of Rotorua Sunrise.
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