Maori TV Announces Key Changes To Delivery of News

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Maori Television Announces Key Changes To Delivery Of News

Maori Television announces changes to its key staff for the production and delivery of Maori news on its flagship news programme TE KAEA.

Te Anga Nathan (Te Aupouri, Ngati Porou, Waikato) has been appointed Head of News and Current Affairs, while the channel welcomes two new presenters – Peata Melbourne (Tuhoe, Ngati Kahungunu) and Oriini Kaipara (Tuhoe, Ngati Awa, Ngati Tuwharetoa).

Mr Nathan joined Maori Television as News Editor in March 2004, prior to the channel’s launch. He has extensive experience in journalism and communications, having previously held the role of Senior Maori Affairs reporter for the Waikato Times and worked as a reporter for TVNZ’s One Network News and its Maori news programme Te Karere. Mr Nathan has also headed his own public relations, print and Maori media consultancy, Te Hinatore Media.

Mr Nathan’s responsibilities have developed with his new role. He now manages a reporting team of 13 reporters across the key centres in the North and South Islands. A key focus is the development of a skilled team of journalists.

“Our immediate plan is to consolidate and upskill the team that we have now and to pour as many resources into them individually so that as a team, our strength grows collectively,” he adds.

Meanwhile, new presenter Peata Melbourne presents TE KAEA every Saturday and Sunday at 7.30 PM.

Peata is currently studying part-time through Massey University towards a Graduate Diploma in Philosophy. She has already completed a Bachelor of Arts Degree at the University of Waikato, where she double majored in Strategic Management and Media Studies.

Prior to taking up her position at Maori Television, Peata freelanced on a number of different projects made for Maori Television. These include working as a researcher for upcoming game show Kupu Huna, judging for rangatahi video competition series He Puata Whakairo and directing on Maori Television’s urban music show Coast.

She also spent 18 months as a reporter for Te Karere and worked part-time while at Waikato University on Mai Time, presenting a segment called Mai Waiata.

Peata’s take on Maori news delivered by Maori is succinct. “There are always stories in te ao Maori that are not covered by mainstream television that are important and pertinent to te iwi Maori. It is our responsibility at TE KAEA to ensure that they are covered, and are done so specifically from a Maori perspective.”

Oriini Kaipara is also welcomed to the team as a back up news and sports presenter for TE KAEA. Oriini has worked in TVNZ’s new media department as a caption editor for Te Karere and has worked as a manager, production manager, director’s assistant and freelancer. Oriini has also been seen previously in front of the camera, presenting youth-orientated programmes made for Maori Television including Cyberworld and Te Maioha.

She spent a year at Ruia Mai Radio News Service (Mai Media Ltd) as a reporter / presenter and took up an opportunity in June 2003 to work as a news presenter for Mai FM’s Whangarei and Rotorua stations. Most recently, she was at Waka Huia at TVNZ as a reporter / director until winning the presenter / reporter role for Maori Television’s news and current affairs department.

Within the next month, Oriini will be presenting select news bulletins in addition to her presentation of the sports segments.

For Oriini, her experience has lent itself to a solid understanding of what constitutes Maori news. “It’s understanding the everyday news from a Maori point of view and portraying the everyday stories. Not only in te reo Maori, but in a sense that is only understood by Maori. It’s made by Maori, for Maori,” she says.

TE KAEA is broadcast on Maori Television daily at 7.30 PM and repeated at 11.00 PM.

Ends

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