SpongeBob celebrates Maori Language Week

The world’s most famous sea sponge, SpongeBob SquarePants, is back this year playing his part in promoting Maori Language Week with full episodes in te reo Maori all week screening on Nickelodeon NZ from Monday 26th July until Sunday 1st August (SKY channel 041, 8.10am and 4.00pm weekdays and 8.10am and 8.40am on the weekend).
Nickelodeon NZ fans will see SpongeBob and his sea-dwelling Bikini Bottom friends, including Squidward, Mr Krabs and Patrick, speaking in te reo Maori for the week thanks to a combined effort from Nickelodeon NZ, Te Mangai Paho and Cinco Cine Film Productions.
Award-winning local production company and specialists in Maori language children’s programming, Cinco Cine Film Productions, recorded the te reo Maori voiceovers for the five landmark episodes of SpongeBob Tarau Porowha last year to help with promotion of te reo Maori to Nick NZ viewers.
The result is exciting interpretations of the characters with Pukana host Tiare Tawera voicing the te reo Maori SpongeBob and Matutaera Ngaropo voicing the characters of Patrick and Squidward.
Nickelodeon NZ’s channel manager, Lauren Nola says the popularity of SpongeBob SquarePants speaking te reo Maori is phenomenal. “We received masses of positive feedback from Nickheads, parents and tangata whenua following last year’s debut. 
“The guys at Cinco Cine did an amazing job of translation and delivery of the SpongeBob character in te reo Maori that’s shown everyone how a crazy little sea sponge can make learning te reo Maori fun for kids of all ages.”