ELECTORAL COLLEGE APPOINTS TWO DIRECTORS FOR MAORI TELEVISION SERVICE

Hone Harawira announced today that Te Pütahi Paoho, the Maori Television Service Electoral College has appointed Leonie Pihama and Tawini Rangihau to the Board of the new Maori Television Service. Leonie and Tawini will join two other Te Pütahi Paoho appointed and two Crown-appointed Directors on the Board.

Mr Harawira, Chairman of Te Pütahi Paoho, said that he was pleased that Leonie and Tawini have agreed to join the Board to replace Whaimutu Dewes and Martin Cleave, both of whom resigned recently. “Both Leonie and Tawini bring skills that we feel confident will add value to the final stages of the establishment phase” Mr Harawira said. “The Board has been working very hard to ensure that the Maori Television Service is fully operational by the time the legislation is passed, hopefully later this year, and Te Pütahi Paoho believes that both Leonie and Tawini will make a major contribution leading up to the enactment of the legislation and beyond.”

“As with the other appointments made to the Board, Leonie’s and Tawini’s skill range, personal successes and depth of knowledge and experience was of a superior level,” said Mr Harawira.

Leonie is concurrently a part-time lecturer at the University of Auckland in the Mäori Education Department, co-director of Moko Productions and a member of the Management Committee of the International Research Institute for Mäori and Indigenous Education. She has an extensive academic background having also served as a learning support tutor at the Auckland Technical Institute and a lecturer for the Bachelor of Education programme of the Auckland College of Education. Leonie also has a background in social services having worked as a programme Manager for Presbyterian Support Services and a Project Coordinator for Te Rapunga o Poutama Work and Education Trust. She holds a Master of Arts degree with honours and a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Mäori and Education.

Tawini is concurrently a co-manager for Te Reo Irirangi O Te Arawa, Producer/Editor for Te Komarero o Te Arawa Trust and Producer/Editor for Te Awa Ora Limited. She has previously been a director for the Aotearoa Television Network Limited as head of News and Current Affairs and Children’s Programmes. Tawini has extensive experience in broadcasting and journalism, having served at different times with Mana Mäori Media, in the Press Gallery in Parliament and TVNZ. Tawini is of Tühoe and Te Arawa descent.

“As with our previous appointments, we’re confident that Leonie and Tawini will achieve our high expectations,” said Mr Harawira.

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