Restructure Ensures Māori Television Fit for Purpose

Restructure Ensures Māori Television Fit for Purpose

Māori Television Chief Executive Paora Maxwell has today confirmed a proposal to restructure the organisation as a fit-for-purpose Māori language multi-platform broadcaster.

" The current structure is based on a traditional broadcasting model that does not sit well in the digital environment we now find ourselves in," said Mr Maxwell. "In realigning Māori Television to more effectively operate within the fast changing digital environment we ensure greater priority for te reo Māori me ngā tikanga as the driver of all activities."

"Maori Television is unique among television broadcasters in Aotearoa. We were established for the express purpose of revitalising the Maori language, and the changes we implement from today will better support that objective".

"Maori Television has won the hearts and minds of New Zealanders over the last ten years and our aim is to ensure that support grows," he said.

"Our new multi platform approach will enable us to deliver programmes to audiences wherever they may be and on whatever device they are using."

The changes to the structure would future proof the organization for the next ten years.

"It gives us an opportunity to bring a refreshed focus back to our core role of protecting Māori language and culture, and recognises that we need to be approaching the business from a multi-platform standpoint. said Mr Maxwell.

“This is an alignment of strategic direction to operational implementation that will significantly enhance long-term performance and achievement of our Maori Language Strategy objectives.”

The confirmation follows an internal consultation process which included one-on-one meetings with all affected staff, full staff and department meetings, and written feedback. Up to 60 percent of staff responded to the proposal, providing 80 pages of feedback which was duly considered and reviewed. Some of that feedback prompted further review and consideration to ensure the best outcome for the organisation overall.

As a result, Mr Maxwell has confirmed the proposal largely as presented but with adjustments which include role title and reporting line changes.

Six new roles will be established and three of these are at the Executive level. They are Head of People, Language and Culture; Head of Content; and Head of Corporate Affairs. Five roles are disestablished with all but two staff appointed to other positions. Two jobs will be lost instead of the three as originally proposed.

“On the whole the majority of senior people impacted have all been offered positions within the structure. Our intent was not to lose organisational knowledge and either through those people already in Maori Television or with those we bring into the business the belief is we have the capabilities to ensure Maori Television’s success for the next 10 years,” said Mr Maxwell.

The reorganisation, which included the grouping of all content development functions within one team, was expected to improve internal work flows, collaboration and efficiencies. It would also give increased priority to commercial activities, marketing and research to result in greater promotional and revenue opportunities.

Interviews for contestable positions will be held over the next two weeks and a recruitment campaign will commence for the new roles. The new structure will be implemented from Monday 13 October 2014.

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