11. TE URUROA FLAVELL (Māori Party—Waiariki) Link to this
to the Minister of Maori Affairs
Kei te whakaae ia ki te kōrero o te Tumuaki o Whakaata Māori a Jim Mather i kī, ka raru a Whakaata Māori a ngā rā kei te heke iho, ā, ka raru hoki te pūtea i te rautaki reo Māori hōu kua whakaritea e TVNZ, ā, meina kei te whakaae ia, me pēhea a ia e mau tonu ki tōna kupu i te rua tekau mā ono o Hōngongoi, arā, “e kore e iti iho te nui o ngā whakaari reo Māori” i runga i a Whakaata Māori?
[Does he agree with the Māori Television chief executive, Jim Mather, who has described the State broadcaster’s newly developed Māori strategy as a threat to Māori Television’s future and to its funding base; if so, how will he keep the commitment he gave on 26 July 2007 that “There will be no decrease in the amount of Māori language programming” on Māori Television?]
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Customs) Link to this
No. Māori Television, as an emerging public service broadcaster, has secured a leadership role in providing a broad range of Māori language and general content programmes that appeal to many viewers in the New Zealand audience. The Māori Television Service is quickly becoming the channel of choice for many people. Recent figures support that trend. In an industry where audience share is everything, Television New Zealand has realised that it needs to lift its game. I, for one, welcome more Māori language and content programmes on all public service broadcasters.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Nā te mea ko ia te Minita mō ngā Take Māori ka tūturu tana whakapono, e kī nei,“i kōrero tahi ake anō tātou mō tōku whakaaro, kāore e whakaae ake awau ki te nekeneke i a Te Karere me ”; ā, meina āe, he aha ai?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Does the Minister of Māori Affairs stand by his comment: “I made it clear that I don’t support the proposed changes to Te KarereMarae]
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
Comments were made with the understanding that all editorial comments in relation to TVNZ are a matter to be dealt with by the Minister of Broadcasting.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Kei te mātau ia ki ngā āwangawanga o tana hoa, a Dover Samuels, i tana kōrero “he pōrangi, pōhauhau” te wā hōu kua whakaritea e TVNZ hei wā pāoho, ā, “e whakaiti ana i tō tātou reo”, ā, he aha ōna tohutohu ki te Minita Whakapāoho mō te whānui o te whakaahunga a te Māori mō ēnei whakarerekētanga ?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Is the Minister of Māori Affairs aware of the concerns of his fellow Māori MP Dover Samuels that the changes instigated by TVNZ are “ridiculous” and that the new time format “belittles our language”; and what advice will he be giving the Minister of Broadcasting about the widespread dissatisfaction among Māori about these changes?]
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Minister of Māori Affairs has no problem expressing views about the way in which any broadcaster addresses issues concerning Māori, and neither should he. In relation to colleagues who have made statements with similar content, they well know that those are issues for the Minister of Broadcasting. However, let me say that the Minister of Māori Affairs has been no stranger to supporting Māori language programming on all public service broadcasters. He will continue to do so, in an effort to ensure that, both in front of and behind the camera, Māori continue to thrive in the broadcasting industry.
Moana MackeyHon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
The Minister has received a number of reports that show that the number of people watching the Māori Television Service has increased, and that is a positive thing. TVNZ has lifted its game to try to respond. What that will do is to increase Māori language and content programming on all public service broadcasters. That too is a positive thing.
Te Ururoa Flavell Link to this
Kua rongo ia i te kōrero o Whai Ngata, te Kaiwhakahaere Māori mō TVNZ e kī ana, ehara i te mea nā te iti o ngā whakatauranga mō te karere te take i neke ia i te mea ko Te Karere kei mua noa atu o ngā whakaari Māori katoa, ā, ko ngā whika tonu a TVNZ kei te kī, ka heke ngā kaititiro Māori ki te tekau ō-rau mēnā kā neke a ki te tekau mā rima meneti ki te whā karaka i te ahiahi, nā, ka taea e ia te whakamārama, he aha i mahi ai a TVNZ i tēnei mahi, ahakoa, he rerekē ngā whakaaturanga?
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.]
[Is the Minister of Māori Affairs aware that TVNZ’s General Manager, Whai Ngata, has stated that poor ratings are not the reason for moving Te Karere]
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA Link to this
I restate on behalf of the Minister of Māori Affairs that issues of an editorial nature are a matter for the Minister of Broadcasting. I am sure that the Minister of Māori Affairs will relay a number of concerns to that Minister. However, TVNZ may care to reflect on the timing issues, which may advantage the Māori Television Service and its programming timing slots.