Anzac documentaries with Rotorua links

RGP 14Apr15 - ACCUSATION: Shovels and Guns examines a Rotorua officer who was accused of cowardice in World War I.

Two Anzac documentaries with Rotorua connections will be part of Maori Television's dedicated Anzac Day programming.

The broadcaster will start its April 25 programming with live coverage of the dawn service at the Auckland War Memorial Museum and will conclude with the commemorative service at Chunuk Bair on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Broadcasters Tainui Stephens and Wena Harawira will front the day's coverage from Auckland and Judy Bailey will provide live updates from Gallipoli.

In addition to live crosses and interviews with studio guests, including military historians Dr Monty Soutar and Dr Damien Fenton, the channel has compiled a captivating line-up of programmes, including two special documentaries, both partly funded by NZ On Air.

Documentary, Nga Ra o Hune - The days of June was made by filmmaker Kirsty Babington, who lives in Rotorua. It is the story of Waikato Maori who refused to go to World War I.

The other documentary, Shovels and Guns, is about an officer in the Maori contingent, Roger Dansey, who was accused of cowardice in World War I. Mr Dansey also lived in Rotorua.

In Anzac: Tides of Blood, actor Sam Neill looks at his family's involvement in war and the legacy of Anzac on both sides of the Tasman. Brendon Butt's Shovels and Guns explores controversial accusations of cowardice levelled at his great uncle, an officer in the Maori contingent during World War I.

Broadcaster Cameron Bennett is an integral component of Maori Television's Anzac Day coverage, putting the Gallipoli campaign into a modern perspective in Echoes of Gallipoli, while Wena Harawira looks into the personal stories behind C Company, the Cowboys of the 28th Maori Battalion.

Performer Tama Waipara is musical director for the Anzac concert in which top New Zealand musicians, including Annie Crummer, Julia Deans, Maisey Rika and Moana Maniapoto, acknowledge the effects of war through song.

Maori Television head of content Mike Rehu said the channel was privileged and honoured to broadcast special Anzac Day programmes that provided genuine insight into the sacrifices of previous generations.

"It's a meaningful day that reflects Aotearoa's brave and valiant history and a great opportunity to connect stories of service and courage with a contemporary audience."

Maori Television's Anzac Day coverage begins at 5.50am.-Anzac Day this year is officially Saturday, April 25. The public holiday, however, will be observed Monday, April 27.