7 May 2002

Parliament’s Mâori Affairs Committee today reported to the House of Representatives on the Mâori Television Service Bill.

The committee recommends that:

a review of the operation and effectiveness of the Act be undertaken by the responsible ministers after five years from the Act coming into force, resulting in a report within six years containing any recommendations for amendments to the Act

all references to the Kaitiaki Trust be deleted, making provision for the service to receive the UHF management right directly.

the ability of the service to foster development of its broadcasting capacity through appropriate training and education be clarified.

the same standards for independence and programming direction be set as are expressed in the Television New Zealand Bill

directors cannot be removed from office for editorial reasons.

the ability to measure performance targets in the statement of intent be improved

the service has exclusive name protection

failures by directors to report conflicts of interest are quantified in the service’s annual report.

greater clarity of the disputes resolution process is provided

The committee considered that issues relating to funding of the service were outside the scope of the bill.

It suggested that some issues of concern to submitters, such as the role of Te Mangai Paho with respect to the service, would be best addressed once the Government’s Mâori language strategy and Mâori Broadcasting Strategy are completed.

Copies of the report are available at: http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/publications

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