Radio Wha Waho - First Episode

Radio Wha Waho was a pioneering bilingual sitcom about a down on its luck rural iwi radio station. The talkback in this Māori-style WKRP in Cincinnati is in te reo and english; the on-air crew include a DJ with delusions of being a ladykiller (a pre-Mrs Semisi Hori Ahipene); a young fireball seeking fame in the city (Greg Mayor); and Aunty Doss (Kath Akuhata-Brown), the heart and soul of the operation. In this first episode, directed by veteran Marae producer Derek Wooster, the station faces permanent silence after a DJ's late night talk causes offence.

How can any professional broadcaster with my background be expected to run a radio station in the middle of a paddock with such amateurs?

– station boss Sam (Juan Aspinall)

Key Cast & Crew

Derek Wooster

Director, Producer

Brent Leslie

Writer

Juan Aspinall

As: Sam

Jenni Heka

As: Hinemoa

Kath Akuhata-Brown

As: Doss

Hori Ahipene

As: Hemana