Maori Radio Service - Final In Political Series

Te 27 o nga ra o Pipiri 2002

Maori Radio Service Broadcasts Final In Political Series

National Maori language radio service Ruia Mai broadcasts the final in the bilingual political series, NGA TINO POUTAMA, tomorrow (28/6) but has already stepped up its coverage of the election campaign.

Hosted by political editor Shane Taurima, NGA TINO POUTAMA was launched on April 19 to give the major parties an opportunity to promote their policies for Maori, to Maori. Tomorrow's show will review those policies with university lecturers and political commentators Ngahuia Dixon (Waikato) and Mereana Hond (Victoria) joining Mr Taurima live in Ruia Mai's Auckland studio.

Station manager Pere Maitai says the timing of the weekly political special has proven ideal with the date of the general elections now set for Saturday, July 27. As well as daily news and current affairs coverage of the major campaigns over the coming weeks, Ruia Mai will broadcast a live, four-hour election night special, TE POOTI 2002.

The show will combine background pieces on the parties, their leaders and the general seats of special interest to Maori; commentary from political observers; and live interviews with candidates and reporters in the Maori electorates.

"This year's general election is especially important for Maori with more Maori candidates than ever before," Mr Maitai says. "Given the huge response we've had to NGA TINO POUTAMA, I am sure the election night special will be just as well-received."

NGA TINO POUTAMA is broadcast between 10am and 11am tomorrow. Calls are taken from listeners around the country on 0800 462 747 between approximately 10:30am and 10:50am. Listeners can also tune in on the Internet via the website www.ruiamai.co.nz and the show will be replayed on Monday night between 5:05pm and 6pm.

NGA TINO POUTAMA has been funded by New Zealand On Air and Te Mangai Paho. It is available to the iwi radio network and is also broadcast on Ruia Mai's frequency in Auckland, 1179AM. The Ngati Whatua station is part of Mai Media Limited which operates Auckland's top radio station, Mai FM 88.6.

ENDS

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