April 14, 2014
Call to boost resource for Maori radio
The Maori Radio Awards were held in Rotorua over the weekend, and guest Tariana Turia says it’s clear the sector still hasn’t reached its potential.
Taranaki’s Korimako FM carried away the coveted Station of the Year prize, while Radio Waatea’s Tumamao Harawira picked up the award for best rangatahi show for Mahuri Totara.
There was also a new award named for the late Parekura Horomia for best use of te reo Maori, which went to Moana FM.
Mrs Turia says it was a great celebration which reminded people of the importance of iwi radio to te ao Maori.
She says poor funding means Maori radio can’t meet its full potential.
"I think that with good resourcing and resourcing for particular issues Maori radio can go far and wide and do a much more important job because what they’ve got is reach into community so it’s not only about what happens about what happens at the station, it’s about their ability to connect into the communities," Mrs Turia says.
And the prize for best website went to waateanews.com, where you can see this story and many others.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MINISTER TARIANA TURIA CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MTcxNTQ=
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