Rotorua man stars in new Maori TV show Funny Whare

Kimo Houltham saya the humour in Funny Whare will be very familiar for a lot of Kiwi households.

The humour on Maori Television's recently launched game show Funny Whare is as close to real life as you'll get according to Rotorua's Kimo Houltham.

Mr Houltham in one of two team captains on the show, the other is Te Arahi Maipi, with Stacey Morrison in charge as host.

Each week a selection of celebrity contestants will compete for $1000 to gift to the winning team's charity. Funny Whare is bilingual and offers viewers the opportunity to pick up te reo through situations and jokes that arise during the show.

It's a little bit adults only and cheeky at times, hence the 9.30pm timeslot.

"For those of us lucky enough to grow up at the marae surrounded by aunties and uncles, the humour on Funny Whare will be easily recognised. It's like real life on television," Mr Houltham said.

"I think, as Kiwis and in particular Maori, we're good at taking the piss and also laughing at ourselves. The show is an extension of that."

Mr Houltham said te reo spoken on the show was easily understandable.

"Sometimes I think we focus a little too much on ensuring te reo is spoken precisely. I believe free-flowing te reo as it is spoken on the show allows idioms to be taught in a more relaxed scenario."

He described giving his opposition captain a bit of stick as an enjoyable part of the role and said he still couldn't believe he was paid to have so much fun.

Mr Houltham has appeared in many Maori Television shows over the years, and has also been involved in local and international theatre work and appearances in film.

Other guests on Funny Whare include Krystal-Lee Brown, Jimi Jackson, Charde Heremaia, Ngatarawahi Fairhall, Chey Milne, Matai Smith and Pio Terei.

The show premiered at 9.30pm last Thursday and is available on demand through maoritelevision.com.