Media Release
03 April 2006

Waitangi leader calls for Maori media ban

Ngapuhi leader David Rankin has called for a ban on Maori media at the return of Hone Heke’s taonga to Waitangi on Wednesday 5 April. The event, which will be attended by the Governor General, will start at 2pm at the Treaty House.

Rankin has called for the ban because, he says, ‘Maori reporters seem to think they are experts in tikanga and frequently trample on protocols’. By contrast, Rankin claims pakeha journalists are far more respectful and often are more aware of marae customs and protocols than their Maori counterparts.

The return of Heke’s taonga from exhibitions in Te Papa and the National Museum of Australia is a major event for Ngapuhi. Rankin says that although it is an important day for Ngapuhi and all New Zealanders, the iwi cannot afford to have an intrusive media presence: ‘Too many Maori tolerate our protocols being breached solely because they are being breached by Maori – that’s not good enough. If pakeha journalists can show respect, then Maori journalists need to learn it too’.

Mr. Rankin says that the ban will only apply to the events at Waitangi, and will be lifted that evening.

David Rankin
Chairman, Hone Heke Foundation

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