MEDIA STATEMENT

23 October 2014

Māori Party concerned about TVNZ intentions for Māori programming

The Māori Party has responded to today’s shock announcement that with the exception of Te Karere, TVNZ intends to outsource production of all its Māori and Pacific programmes from next year.

“We have written to the responsible Ministers, the Ministers of Broadcasting and Finance, to express our concern about how the decision to outsource programming could have an adverse effect on iconic programmes such as Marae, Waka Huia, Fresh and Tagata Pasifika” said Te Ururoa Flavell, Co-leader of the Māori Party.

“We have grown up with the programmes and the Māori broadcasters who form such a rich part of our unique cultural heritage” said Mr Flavell. “In fact, that is why in the 2014 Budget we specifically negotiated funding to archive these special programmes”.

“The Māori Party voted against the TVNZ Amendment Bill in 2011, because of the way in which it removed the Charter, creating the risk of watering down the commitment of the state broadcaster to Māori language and programming” said Marama Fox.

“TVNZ is still charged with a statutory mandate to reflect Māori perspectives- and we will continue to be vigilant in fighting to ensure Māori worldviews are integrated throughout the state broadcaster’s core business’.

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