Tune in for hot debate | Auckland Lifestyle News | Health, Fashion, Food and Wine in Auckland

Irene Pink reckons viewers will see her in her element during The Great Debate, a regular Waitangi Day show on Maori Television.

The Polynesian comic of Niuean-English descent often pops up on Pulp Comedy and in the International Comedy Festival.

For the debate she appears in the Team Kiwi line-up of four immigrants' children with John Campbell, Ali Ikram and comedienne Rose Matafeo.

Team Kiwi is pitted against Team Iwi's four Maori personalities: Ella Henry, Reverend Tom Poata, Pio Terei and Andre King.

The point at issue?  "Now is the time for New Zealand to close the immigration gates."

"The harder the debate, the more interesting. So supporting closing the immigration gates, being a first-generation Kiwi, made it all the more challenging," says Pink.

Naturally, Pink used comedy to fight her corner. "I said we don't need anybody else because the best ones are here already. Did I believe that? No. But it was in the spirit of supporting the moot. It's definitely a sign of the times that Maori Television can televise such a rigorous debate without offending anybody."

Pink hopes The Great Debate is the first of many experiences working with the television channel.  "They're amazing people to work with." 

The Great Debate, Maori Television, Waitangi Day, Feb 6, 8pm. Details, see www.maoritelevision.com