4. RAHUI KATENE (Māori Party—Te Tai Tonga) Link to this
to the Minister of Broadcasting
How will the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill provide appropriate assurance to ensure the participation of Māori and the presence of a significant Māori voice in its programmes and programme planning?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Broadcasting) Link to this
The Television New Zealand Amendment Bill replaces the Television New Zealand (TVNZ) charter with a new set of statutory functions, which state, amongst other things, that TVNZ must provide high-quality content that reflects Māori perspectives. I also note that out of the total public broadcasting budget of $231 million, $81 million is reserved specifically for Māori broadcasting, ensuring the participation of Māori and the presence of a significant Māori voice in programmes and programme planning in State-funded broadcasting.
How does the Government plan to give effect to binding decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council in relation to the broadcasting of Māori language and content on mainstream television in prime time; and what feedback has he received from Māori about the risk of diluting the Māori content in TVNZ transmissions by his proposal to remove the charter and replace it with a very broad statement of function?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
Answering the second part of the question first, I have had one letter, which was sent to the Minister of Māori Affairs and subsequently forwarded to my office. In regard to the first part, the Government gives effect to those decisions through New Zealand on Air and Te Māngai Pāho. Te Māngai Pāho directly funds the Māori Television Service and also makes available contestable funding to other broadcasters, including TVNZ. TVNZ will continue to be eligible to apply for this funding. One of New Zealand On Air’s statutory requirements is to promote Māori language and culture.
In what ways will the Government measure the success of TVNZ as a public broadcaster in terms other than ratings and revenue, and how will it measure non-commercial success?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
TVNZ is required to produce a statement of intent each year, which outlines its plans for the forthcoming year. It then reports against these aims in its annual report. Shareholding Ministers also write to TVNZ at the start of each financial year, outlining specific expectations of the company. Those expectations are discussed periodically throughout the year with TVNZ.
Brendon BurnsWhy did the Minister tell last Friday’s Screen Production and Development Association conference that his Television New Zealand Amendment Bill “leaves TVNZ free to determine its own priorities.”, when in fact the bill tells TVNZ that its only task is to maximise revenues, with no specific requirement for any New Zealand content, be it for Māori audiences or anyone else?
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN Link to this
That is not correct. The charter has been replaced with a set of statutory functions, which are laid out in the bill.