Lots more to do for Maui TV's Reuben Collier (+video)

Reuben Collier, the founder of Maui TV Productions, says he's got a lot more to do after his New Year's honour.

Reuben Glenn Collier has been made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to the television industry and Maori.

His official citation stated that he founded Maui TV Productions in Rotorua in 2001 and has since developed Maui TV from local news coverage to an award-winning national production house.

Mr Collier has produced and directed a range of shows and documentaries, including the award-winning documentary Sciascia and the popular show Kai Time on the Road.

He has recorded New Zealand stories, documented the histories of many marae around New Zealand and produced profiles on several prominent New Zealanders across more than 450 television show episodes, the majority in te reo Maori.

He was chosen by TVNZ as outside broadcast director for the national television coverage of the state funeral of Maori Queen Dame Te Atairangikaahu in 2006 and was responsible for recording Te Matatini kapa haka national event from 1998 to 2011.

He has been the principal claimant, trustee and kaumatua of Treaty Claim Wai 630 for the Rereahu iwi since 2011 and has been a trustee of the Miringa Te Kakara Marae Trust since 2008, and chairman for the past five years.

Mr Collier said he was pleasantly surprised, very humbled and grateful to be nominated and was quick to acknowledge his industry mentors Derek Fox, the late Whai Ngata, and personal mentors the late Mauriora Kingi and Rawiri Te Whare, plus "the people of the motu who have entrusted in me their stories to tell on their behalf".

"I'm happy to be the eyes and ears of the people.

"I've got a lot more years ahead of me, I haven't really started yet and there's a lot more to do."

He said he was driven to promote and preserve te reo and tikanga Maori and a desire to share stories about the native people of Aotearoa.

"Television is but one vehicle to promote and expose New Zealanders to this beautiful language unique to Aotearoa New Zealand.

"In all of my programmes there's a positive message to be shared."

He said he would soon be releasing 52 episodes of "adrenalin-based activities" for children that was still in the making, series three of the award-winning documentary series Nga Tangata Taumata Rau and another series of Kai Time on the Road.

"After two decades of television production work I thought I'd also take the opportunity to complete my PhD studies regarding the evolution of Maori television between the years 1996 and 2016.

"I'm really excited about that new challenge because it's an opportunity to formalise what has been in my mind over the last two decades and I'm quite honoured to do that on behalf of my mentors and my colleagues."

He said he was pleased to be able to continue to live and work in Rotorua, and it proved good work could be done outside of the main centres.

"After all, this is the place we come to for our stories.

"We have proven TV can be owned and operated at grassroots levels and want to offer opportunities to the young talented individuals within the wider Bay of Plenty.

"I'll look to continue the legacy my mentors offered me and it's my turn to give back and put a succession plan in place and to make sure the struggles of yesteryear were not in vain."

Reuben Glenn Collier
• Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
• Awarded for his services to the television industry and Maori
• Founded Maui TV Productions in Rotorua in 2001
• Aged 44, wife and two children
• Of Ngati Porou and Rereahu-Maniapoto descent