It’s in the Bag returns to New Zealand TV Screens

Pio Turei and Stacey Morrison present It's In The Bag - 2009 style

It should be interesting to see how the new IT’S IN THE BAG TV Show that is revamped for Māori Television is going to go.

By hokey, the show that stole our hearts is back – bigger, brighter and better than ever!

IT’S IN THE BAG returns to our screens Sunday May 31 at 7.00 PM.

With the blessing of the Toogood Family Trust,  Bluebach Productions, in association with Māori Television, brings back the show that coined the phrase “What will it be New Zealand, the money or the bag?”

For more than two decades, IT’S IN THE BAG played in town halls and theatres across the motu. It was arguably New Zealand’s most popular local show as it brought the glitz and glamour of television to the provinces and had, for its time, the largest prizes ever given away in a competition of its kind.

And we have retained that winning formula – along with exceptional small town excitement!

Pio Terei has stepped into some formidable shoes to host the show, ably assisted by Stacey Morrison – two of our most experienced and loved Māori presenters.

Pio Terei jumped at the chance to host. “I have been waiting all my life to do this show – I think I may have been in training for it all along! ”

Stacey Morrison – whose fluency in reo Māori and warmth with audiences modernises the original show.  “I love most that this show is putting positive energy and fun back into our small towns, which so often get missed by entertainers and television – the show has huge heart and that’s certainly what attracted me”.

It in the Bag is produced by Libby Hakaraia of Blue Batch Productions.  Libby Hakaraia has been involved in the independent television production industry for the past eight years and has produced and/or directed eleven documentaries for prime time viewing.  Blue Bach Productions is based in Otaki and is focused on providing Maori content television across all broadcasters. With 16 years experience in radio, Libby has also produced a first short film with the NZ Film Commission (Hawaikii) and has  published two books on Matariki with Reed Publishing.