Young reporters on ‘Kidsworld’

Press, 13 December 1982, Page 23

Young reporters on ‘Kidsworld’

In the second series of "Kidsworld." starting on Thursday at 5 p.m. on One, children can take a trip to Auckland Zoo to find out how much it costs to feed an elephant, go to a rare traditional Nuien hair-cutting ceremony, and learn what it is like to live in Larnach's Castle in Dunedin. Tracey talks to a woman who makes porcelain dolls on Waiheke Island. Megan visits the Tauranga District Museum, and Francesca takes a fast ride down the new hydro slide at Parikai. These are just a few of the New Zealand-based stories that will be featured during the show's 13-week run. Each weekly half-hour programme includes about eight items which are of interest to children aged from eight to 14. About two of the stories each week are from New Zealand and the rest are from the United States (where "Kidsworld" originated). the United Kingdom, and Japan. "Kidsworld's" young American reporters have stories on a cat that walked 320 km to find its owner, a profile on a 12-year-old childprodigy violinist, and interviews on the set with the creator of the "Waltons." There are also interviews with Hal Linden, who plays ■'Barney Miller." Ron Howard from "Happy Days." horror movie star Vincent Price — who turns out to be quite friendly and a gourmet cook - and advice from Steven Spielberg, creator of "Jaws" and "ET." on how to get started in film-making. For science fiction buffs, there is also a report on a comprehensive study of U.F.O.s investigating 13.000 sightings from 1947 to 1969, some of them still inexplicable. From England comes a report on a water diviner, and a look at the new sport of roller hockey, which will

be included in the Olympics for the first time in 1984. Stories from Japan include a report on 'robots — from a robot nurse in a hospital to one that looks like Marilyn Monroe — and a look at the work of a master kite maker.

The storylines are wideranging but always recorded from a child's viewpoint, and contain information — some instructive, some fun — but all of it relevant to young people. The New Zealand stories are covered by young reporters out in the field. Six are based in Dunedin and seven work from Auckland. The presenters for this year's series are Darcy Norton. Tracey White. Ngametua Rutene and Greer Robson.

Thirteen-year-old Darcy from Takapuna replaces Paul Foster, who grew too old for the programme. Tracey. from Epsom, is also 13 and shares the role of presenter with 14-year-old Nga from Grey Lynn.

Darcy and Tracey were Auckland reporters in last year’s series, and although now acting as presenters, continue to do field work. Eleven-year-old Greer from Parnell is better known to New Zealanders for her role in "Smash Palace.” The producer. Bryan Easte. is looking for more story angles. He will be filming the third series of "Kidsworld" in February. March and April. He is asking any young people throughout New Zealand who have ideas to drop him a line and he will send a film crew to check any story he feels has potential. There would also be an opportunity for the writers to report on their own stories if they were considered suitable. Bryan Easte asks children to send all ideas to "Kidsworld,” (Television New Zealand Land, P.O. Box 3819, Auckland.