Dubbing eyed for Maori channel

By AUDREY YOUNG political reporter

The Maori television channel may have to begin with foreign-made programmes dubbed into Maori and low-cost local programmes.

The first announcements on programmes are expected to be made in February, says Trevor Moeke, the chief executive of Te Mangai Paho, the funding agency that will commission productions for the channel, which is due to begin in July.

"We might do high reruns at the opening of the channel," he said.

Quality shows required long lead-in times. The high-cost dramas and documentaries would probably be running within 18 months.

Mr Moeke said Te Mangai Paho wanted to have a range of programming in both Maori and English "and maybe even in other languages".

The Maori Television Service Bill, which sets up the state-funded channel, passed through its first stage in Parliament yesterday and was referred to the Maori affairs select committee.

Disagreement is expected on the committee about the extent of English usage on the channel.

Alliance MP Willie Jackson wants Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia to direct Te Mangai Paho to make more English language programmes in order to reach a wider Maori audience.

The bill says the main function of the service is to promote Maori language and culture "through the provision of a high-quality, cost-effective Maori television service in both Maori and English that informs, educates, and entertains a broad viewing audience and in doing so enriches New Zealand's society culture and heritage."

It says most prime-time programmes should be in Maori.

Mr Jackson said he did not want just a "token" reference to English. He would pursue the issue of English language usage in the select committee.

Mr Moeke said subtitling, dubbing and bilingual programmes would all be considered.

Te Mangai Paho had paid for the successful dubbing of an Australian animal cartoon series on Channel Four in which a horse and a kookaburra spoke in Maori.

National supported the bill but two MPs, Murray McCully and Maurice Williamson, crossed the floor to oppose it and Clem Simich abstained.

Act opposed the bill but MP Donna Awatere Huata crossed the floor to support it.

The chairman of the Maori television service board, Derek Fox, said it was in the final stages of deciding what sort of platform the channel would be broadcast on.

Within a few weeks, the industry producers would have an indication of the types of programmes they could develop.

"This channel is going to have a high youth content," he said.

"It's going to have quite different look to it and a different format to it."