9 Sep 2014

Maori TV review must improve station's 'culture'

7:00 pm on 9 September 2014

A group representing Māori in screen production says it hopes a review at Māori Television will help solve existing problems within the station.

Māori Television's board had to give assurance its news programmes will remain in place, after the Mana Party Leader, Hone Harawira claimed the station would dump Te Kāea and jobs would be lost.

Its board's chairperson, Georgina Te Heuheu, said a review into its services started about two months ago and a proposed restructure will look at how its operations can be improved.

Ngā Aho Whakaari, which represents Māori within the industry, says problems have been known within the industry of miscommunication between management and staff.

Its chair Kim Muriwai said any changes to be made at Māori TV must improve the culture at the station and focus on engaging as many people as possible in Te Reo and Tikanga.

Māori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples was briefed, along with a senior staff member from the Minister of Finance's office, on the review yesterday.

He, along with other stakeholders, staff and Te Pūtahi Pāoho will be informed of further details at a later date.

A spokesperson on behalf of Māori TV chief executive, Paora Maxwell, said it was in consultation process with reporting ministers and had no comment to make at this time.

Ngā Aho Whakaari is the national representative body for Māori working in film and television.

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