Maori Television Announces Launch Date

PANUI PAPAHO/MEDIA STATEMENT
05 February 2004

MAORI TELEVISION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE

Maori Television will go to air next month to take its place as a key promoter of Maori language and culture, and to provide a window into the Maori world for all New Zealanders.

Maori Television will officially launch on Sunday 28 March 2004. The channel will broadcast seven days a week.

Maori Television Chairman Wayne Walden said the launch of Maori Television is the realisation of a long-held dream of many Maori to have te reo Maori , an official language of this country, televised into the homes of all New Zealanders.

“We expect that the channel will be a strong contributor to the normalisation of te reo me nga tikanga Maori (Maori language and culture). Maori Television has been designed to present a window to the Maori world and a Maori perspective on the world.

“This is a new and exciting time in the history of New Zealand television. We know people have high expectations, and we look forward to meeting those expectations by delivering a Maori television channel that is world class and celebrates our uniqueness,” Mr Walden said.

Hone Harawira, Chairman of Te Putahi Paho (the Maori Electoral College), said his members are delighted the channel is about to go to air.

“The survival and revitalisation of our language has always been our ultimate goal. This channel will be such an important tool to ensure we achieve this,” he said.

ENDS

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