TVNZ to apologise for tangi footage

TVNZ has been ordered to broadcast an apology following a complaint to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

In June TVNZ broadcast the documentary DNZ: Waiting List on TV One, which discussed ethnic differences in the approach to organ donation.

To illustrate the Maori viewpoint, TVNZ used footage taken at a tangi at the Mokai Kainga marae in Kawhia in the Waikato. The complainant, Nick Tuwhangai, said it was a significant funeral and the event, marae and people were easily recognisable.

TVNZ removed the footage and apologised to the marae. However, a public apology was sought.

The BSA agreed the footage of a tangi in a programme about organ donation would have "distressed a number of those associated with the marae or present at the tangi, because of their opposition, on cultural grounds, to organ donation".

The BSA have ordered TVNZ to air an apology within a month, preferably in a programme targeted at Maori viewers.

- NZPA