Katherine Rich National Broadcasting Spokesperson

13 March 2001

Key Maori broadcasting advocate snubbed

The Government must delay its plans for TVNZ's charter until key broadcasting stakeholder Te Mangai Paho is given a say in its plans for Maori broadcasting, National's Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich said today.

In a financial review of Te Mangai Paho by the Maori Affairs Select Committee tabled yesterday, the committee said it was 'alarmed'' TMP, which it describes as a 'key component in the broadcasting industry', was not given an opportunity to have formal input into the Charter.

"I can't fathom why a key advocate for Maori broadcasting, Te Mangai Paho, was not consulted in the development of TVNZ's still to be released Charter.

"TMP's statutory function is 'to promote Maori language and culture by making funds available ... for broadcasting and the production of programmes to be broadcast' (TMP Annual Report).

"Here is one of the most important agencies involved in Maori broadcasting and the Minister of Broadcasting has overlooked it during the Charter's development and consultation process.

"I predicted Maori would be left out of the loop when the Broadcasting Minister off-loaded her Maori broadcasting responsibilities last year to the Minister of Maori Affairs.

"Any Minister of Broadcasting must take into account Maori issues and cannot be absolved of the responsibility to consult Maori simply because the larger responsibility now rests with the Minister of Maori Affairs.

"The Government should delay any plans for the Charter until Te Mangai Paho has been given the chance to have some input. If the Government wants Maori support for the Charter it must formally consult Te Mangai Paho," Katherine Rich said.

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