KEY POINTS:
Michael Cullen took a swipe at Television New Zealand yesterday, suggesting taxpayers aren't getting bang for the charter dollars.
The Deputy Prime Minister, speaking at the World Indigenous Broadcasting Conference for 17 nations in Auckland, said it was "somewhat shameful" the state broadcaster "relegated" programmes such as Te Karere to early in the afternoons - a decision that was made last year.
"I was disappointed they made those changes in scheduling when Maori, and Pakeha for that matter, can't even see them.
"On the other hand it's probably helpful for Maori TV - it's undeniable they are the leaders in their field.
"The state broadcaster hasn't kept up," Dr Cullen said.
Under its charter, TVNZ has obligations to Maori programming. In total it receives $15 million to produce programmes that otherwise wouldn't be produced in a commercial market.
Dr Cullen said Broadcasting Minister Trevor Mallard needed to look at accountability issues with TVNZ.
"They receive funding for their charter programmes but at the moment it's not clear where the money goes. Some greater clarity is needed around [that]."
It was a sentiment backed up by National MP Georgina te Heuheu, who said it wasn't often she agreed with Dr Cullen.
But whether he was actually going to act was another story, she said.
However, TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards said Dr Cullen was "confused". Core funding for Maori programmes came from funding agency Te Mangai Paho, which provided $5 million for core shows such as Te Karere, Marae and Waka Huia.
Ms Richards said Dr Cullen's criticisms were interesting given the broadcaster had commercial dividend obligations to the Government.
On a worldwide scale, TVNZ also received one of the lowest government contributions to its funding - about 10 per cent, she said. Dr Cullen needed to turn on his television set this Sunday, when Te Karere would be played during prime time. Add that broadcast to airtime on TV One and repeats and TVNZ was still reaching more Maori than Maori Television throughout the day, Ms Richards said.
For the most part the first day of the conference was a cheerful affair.
Chief Maori Land Court Judge Joe Williams was one of the first keynote speakers - he gave evidence at the Waitangi Tribunal hearing more than 20 years ago that eventually paved the way for Maori Television.
He drew laughs when describing the hearing. He said he had told the tribunal in Maori that they held his testicles in their hands - that was because the language was in dire need of protection.
However, the tribunal's translator Miria Simpson had lost something in the translation when she told them, "[Members] of the tribunal ... you are grasping at my manhood," Judge Williams said.
"It sounds nicer in Maori," he joked.
He said the sentiment remained, but it was Maori broadcasters who were doing the holding now.
