Promotion for NZ On Air
One child, one dog, and a supportive Kiwi community along the way.
Embarking on a journey to learn a new language is an intimidating feat for the best of us, but it’s not a journey we must face alone.
With the support of Sky Originals, meet Katie and her dog Rascal, alongside a fun cast of characters, as they embark on a journey of confidence, friendship, and learning te reo Māori.
Katie’s Kurī is a brand-new animated mini-series created by Jared Kahi and Amanda Alison. Iconically Kiwi, the show resembles the people, places, and language that New Zealanders, both young and old, are all familiar with. Katie’s Kurī is a new series to be enjoyed by all tamariki and whānau, fostering a sense of community, entertainment, and learning.
A story of growth and whānau
Katie, a rather shy, awkward, but funny eleven-year-old, is sent to live with her relentlessly enthusiastic Uncle Mark while her mother is on a research trip in Antarctica. Struggling to settle in, Uncle Mark gets her a puppy, which she names Rascal, quickly becoming her beloved companion. Unfortunately, Rascal lives up to her name and refuses to listen to a word Katie says!
As luck would have it, local legend Whaea Kaz is here to help. Whaea Kaz promises to help Katie connect with her kurī (dog) Rascal by inviting her to join them at her puppy school. Unfortunately, they get off to a rocky start when Katie turns up to class to discover it’s in te reo Māori! Katie goes into a pronunciation panic; she hates speaking in front of groups, and with her puppy being the naughtiest in the class, it seems that all the odds are against poor Katie. But with the support of Uncle Mark, the knowledge and wisdom from Whaea Kaz, Katie and Rascal embark on a rollercoaster reo journey full of slip-ups and surprising successes that will ultimately bring them closer together. Katie’s story shows us that everyone has to start somewhere and proves to be an entertaining and educational watch.
Everyone has to start somewhere
Starting something new can be frustrating. Many of us find ourselves asking, “Where do I begin?” Particularly in the case of developing strong language skills, there are elements of listening, reading, speaking, and writing to contend with.
Katie’s Kurī enriches and accommodates audiences of all levels, utilising animation to provide both verbal and visual expressions of te reo Māori. Whether audiences prefer to read, watch, or listen, the show has a fantastic variety of styles to help audiences engage with te reo. Katie’s Kurī provides an approachable and comfortable space for audiences to be entertained and educated simultaneously.
The show is filled with positive role models, strong community connections, and supportive intergenerational relationships. Each character brings their own level of language proficiency, helping audiences see that everyone learns at their own pace. Audiences will likely find someone they relate to, and can walk alongside characters on their journey as they watch.
Paw-sitivity for the whole whānau
While helping develop language skills, Katie’s Kurī will help show young audiences how to build confidence, foster and develop friendships, and create a space that encompasses belonging and identity amongst Kiwis. As one of the official languages in New Zealand, Katie’s Kurī has been developed to help tamariki feel proud of who they are, to encourage and help build confidence so that young Kiwis can feel comfortable with using te reo Māori.
With plenty of laughs, valuable lessons, and a whole lot of heart, Katie, Rascal, and their whānau are sure to become fast friends in homes across Aotearoa. So why not join them on their te reo journey today?
How can I watch?
The fantastic news is Katie’s Kurī is available across four different platforms! With the support of New Zealand on Air, Katie’s Kuri can be found both through your trusted streaming platforms, Sky subscriptions, or free on KIDOGO YouTube:
- Māori+
- KIDOGO on YouTube
- Sky Go
- Neon
Made with support from NZ On Air
3 July, 2026
