June 11, 2018
Whakaruruhau chair not convinced on spending for new digital platforms
The sole voice for Maori radio on a new Maori media advisory body says he wants it to be about increasing resources into the sector rather than reallocating what’s there.
Te Pae Tawhiti is the creation of Maori broadcast funding agency Te Mangai Paho and includes several independent television producers, as well as representatives of crown entities like the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand on Air and Television New Zealand and Radio New Zealand.
Member Rawiri Waru, the chair of Maori radio umbrella group Te Whakaruruhau o Nga Reo Irirangi o Te Motu, says Maori radio has an unmatched 30 year record of promoting te reo Maori.
He says he’s not convinced by arguments money should be diverted to new digital platforms.
What we should be saying is 'here are our existing platforms. How can we build more platforms into this kaupapa for the revitalisation for to tatou reo and how do we further develop ones that are already in existence?' We've already got a good footprint, why would we want to go backward," Mr Waru says.
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