Watching Stacey Morrison and Mätai Smith, the hosts of Manawatia a Matariki, joke around during a Woman's Day photo shoot, it's clear the beloved broadcasters share a special bond.
"Mātai and I have a beautiful synergy," says Stacey, 49. "It's like we've got telepathy. If I drop something, he'll pick it up and he knows it's the same with me."
"Basically, we're married but not married," quips Mātai, 46.
The pair first started working together in TVNZ's Maori department in 1996. Matai, then 19, recalls being starstruck by his colleague. "Stace was one of the original presenters of Mai Time, which was massive at the time. They were these young people using te reo on TV, which was kind of unheard of then. It's different now. There's a lot more reo on our screens. But for me, she was a role model and a trailblazer."
As colleagues, he and Stacey became so close that she asked him to be godfather to her youngest daughter Maiana, now 10. Stacey says fondly, "She's very spoilt by Matai. Mind you, so are our other kids. They consider him a matua [uncle] so, of course, it means that we're proper whānau."
POWERFUL ENERGY
The pair say they feel honoured to host live coverage of our national Matariki celebrations, which begin at dawn this Friday with a traditional hautapu ceremony.
"Last year was a real awakening, shares Matai. "The broadcast is really quite special. Pre-dawn, there's a powerful energy. That's why we do the karakia at that time. After the broadcast, we were walking along the waterfront just seeing people out and about, really embracing Matariki. It was so moving."
Stacey adds, "I burst into tears. The poor makeup artist! My husband [broadcaster Scotty Morrison] was part of the karakia. The star that he did a karakia to - Pōhutukawa - is particularly about remembering people you've lost in the last year, so there was lots of emotion!"
This story is from the July 10, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 10, 2023 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
JON'S JOURNEY - BEING MAORI & DEAF MADE ME A TARGET
The Auckland sign language tutor has overcome enormous challenges
'WE WENT ON THE RUN FROM RUSSIA!'
Now safe in New Zealand, Nick and his family hid in the outback for three years
DEFYING THE ODDS MADDIS ON'S MILESTONE BIRTHDAY
One of the tiniest babies born in New Zealand is about to turn 10!
Farmer And rew & Jess' big day WE'RE STILL ON CLOUD 9!
The reality stars say 'I do' in a perfect country ceremony
Gordon Ramsays 'THIS IS THE REAL ME'
The fiery celebrity chef has cooked up a sizzling new reality show
KIWI STAR LOREN - 'I OWE MY LIFE TO MY SISTER'
The actress reveals why she seemingly disappeared after her starring role in Eagle Vs Shark
Lee & Luke's - RECIPE FOR LOVE
The Cantabrian contestants reveal the secrets of their incredibly strong mother-son bond
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS - MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
JESS BREAKOUT ROLE - 'KIWIS DON'T REALLY CARE IF YOU'RE FAMOUS'
The Palmerston North actress is in demand after her part in Netflix hit 3 Body Problem