This year awards will be hosted by Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Maori and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated.
Maui TV Productions owner Reuben Collier said they entered a documentary which is part of a series that is 100 per cent in te reo Maori. The 26-part series presented by Mere McLean, called Nga Tangata Taumata Rau - Nga Tamariki O Te Kohu, exposes viewers to the Tuhoe dialect while learning more about the lifestyle and values of the Ngai Tuhoe people.
"We work hard to promote and preserve te reo Maori so therefore to be named as a finalist is a great honour."
Mr Collier, who was the producer of the series, said the awards were a long time coming.
"There's been a lot of struggle and a lot of effort from past generations to have the reo recognised. Therefore to have these awards is quite apt ... We are all there in the fight to promote what was considered a dying language and finally we are only just starting to get some recognition for it."
Mr Collier said he wanted to give credit to his hard working production team as well as the people who agreed to share their stories in the documentary.
"It doesn't at all tell us that we are on top of our game but we are heading in the right direction and need to keep up the good work."
Te Taura Whiri chief executive Ngahiwi Apanui said it was their vision to hear and see the indigenous language resonate across the country. " . . . and while there's a lot more to be done to achieve that, we must acknowledge those groups and individuals supporting language regeneration and innovation in their respective sectors and communities," he said.
The winners will be announced on November 21 at Pettigrew-Green Arena in Taradale, Napier. Tickets on sale this week.
