'Pakeha radio' - broadcaster savages RNZ's Maori news cut

Willie Jackson. Photo / Chris Loufte

Broadcaster Willie Jackson has blasted Radio NZ as "pakeha radio" after it canned a seven-year-old contract for Maori news.

The cut is the latest attempt by RNZ to cope with a Government freeze on funding.

Jackson's company provides four Waatea News bulletins each week day.

He says he understands RNZ is going though tough times, "but I'm disappointed they have shut the door on attempts to offer it for free for 12 to 18 months till they have got over financial problems.

"National Radio has 6 per cent Maori content, but when they make cuts the first place they turn is Maori.

"The contract is worth a measly $280,000.

"We asked for time to negotiate, and I was confident we could find the money from [Maori broadcasting funding agency] Te Mangai Paho.

"But I got no reply. They shut the door in our face.

"They are getting $38 million but they can't afford $280,000 to get an insight into a Maori world."

Last week RNZ revealed other cost-cutting ventures to meet its funding freeze including selling two grand pianos and saving $200,000 by scrapping fees paid to orchestras to broadcast concerts.

Radio New Zealand head of news Don Rood said the organisation would be taking its Maori news in-house, and no other ethnic group's news was outsourced.

RNZ saw its approach as ensuring its independence, he said.

"Willie and Waatea have provided us a good service, and we intend to improve it," he said.

Asked why Radio New Zealand had not responded to Jackson's offer to seek money through Te Mangai Paho, he said RNZ regarded the government Maori broadcasting agency as "an outside source" and it was not an option.