Homai Te Pakipaki auditions in town

Maori Television's Homai Te Pakipaki winner William "Wiz" Tokelau from Ranana on the Whanganui River.

Maori Television's long-running weekly entertainment show Homai Te Pakipaki is back and is looking for Rotorua singers to take part.

Hosted by Brent Mio, the new series starts on May 23 at 8.30pm.

Homai Te Pakipaki will be open to anyone aged 12 and over, and will also give paki (contestants) the option to:

- perform with instruments (wind, strings or keys)

- sing as a soloist

- sing to karaoke

- sing an original composition or cover

The show will also be hitting the road for the first time, with regional auditions in Gisborne on June 15, Rotorua on July 26 and Kaitaia on August 24.

Producer Erina Tamepo said the changes to the series would boost the show's grassroots appeal. "It is a show about the people for the people and we want to extend the platform so that they can show us what they've got.

"We're hoping to see a lot of new talent come through to the Maori Television studio in 2014."