Flavell calls out Labour

Maori Party Co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell is calling on Labour’s Maori MPs to put the kaupapa of Maori Television ahead of party politics.

"I’m hoha with the Labour Party's accusations against Māori Television and the Maori Party. Māori people need to know whether or not Labour’s Māori MPs agree with their broadcasting spokesperson – or are they just sitting silently on the fence?

“The Labour Party's petty personal attacks on Paora Maxwell and the Maori Television board are uncalled for, and questions need to be asked about their witch-hunt. It seems as if Labour is prepared to stoop to new depths but for what purpose?

“Mr Faafoi says that the Maori Party has been critical of key figures at Maori TV. In fact we felt compelled to call out Labour MP Claire Curran for making scurrilous allegations against Paora Maxwell from under the cloak of Parliamentary privilege, while the appointment process was under way; allegations which she never substantiated and which effectively stopped a fair selection process from taking place'.

"Labour's suggestion that the Maori Party is seeking to manipulate editorial decisions at Maori Television is completely off the wall.

"Their statements that we have interfered in the CEO process are also wrong, and I suggest that Mr Faafoi and Mr Jones look in the mirror if they want to see who has been running political interference."

"Tomorrow Maori Television celebrates ten year on air, and I commend them for their contribution to our reo, our development and our communities."

“The Maori Party sees Maori Television as an important institution of Maori development, including language and culture, and also in broadcasting independent Maori world views to Aotearoa and the world.

“That role is challenging enough without the political campaign being waged by Labour MPs. We expect Labour’s Maori caucus to take a lead in these issues of national importance to Maori.

"I trust that this taonga which was born out of our Maori communities will continue to share our stories with Aotearoa."

"Finally I congratulate Paora Maxwell on his appointment, and wish him and the staff and stakeholders of Maori Television all the best as they move boldly into the next decade of indigenous broadcasting.

ENDS

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