*Maori lay complaint over TV3 cannibalism story*

Maturahurahu hapu leader David Rankin is lodging a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority over a TV3 60 Minutes item on Maori cannibalism which screened on Monday 6 October.

Mr Rankin says the programme showed footage of interference in Maori burial sites, and the mistreatment of the remains of the ancestors of the region.

"For us as Maori, to tamper with the remains of the dead is sacrilegious – worse than grave robbing. TV3 was irresponsible in encouraging this and in getting a Maori from outside the area to violate the mana of those bones. These ancestors were treated like a dog on national television".

In addition to laying the complaint with the BSA, Mr Rankin is considering taking the matter to the Waitangi Tribunal. "I have been receiving phone calls since the story screened from people who are outraged over TV3's manipulative actions. This is the most serious example I have ever seen of pakehas interfering in our world. TV3 is trying to return to the nineteenth century"

ENDS

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