Hon Georgina te Heuheu MP National Party Broadcasting Spokeswoman

15 November 2004

Charter, What Charter?

"So much for the Charter's influence on New Zealand public television," says National Party Broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu.

"The lack of local programmes, particularly New Zealand drama, during TVNZ's 2005 season underpins the need for transparency as to where Charter funds are being spent.

"Programmes previewed for the coming year such as 'Rescue Me', about the inner workings of a New York city firehouse and 'Locked Down', where myths about life in our jails are debunked, show that TVNZ is no more serious now than it has ever been in terms of its Charter obligations.

"The comments today by the Screen Directors Guild reinforce my earlier concerns about the huge disadvantage to the local screen production sector that flow from the government funding arrangements for TVNZ.

"It is totally unfair and inequitable for the Labour Government to continue pouring millions of dollars into the TV network that it owns and controls, while other highly creative, independent local producers miss out," says Mrs te Heuheu.

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