Maori broadcasting to get $9m

By LOUISA CLEAVE television editor

Maori broadcasting is in the unique position of having to dish out $9 million in the next two months.

The windfall for television and radio producers comes from the Government decision to put a Maori television channel on hold.

The money was allocated to Te Mangai Paho, the Maori Broadcasting Funding Agency, to spend on providing programmes for the new channel.

So far this financial year, the agency has given out $4.2 million but before the end of June must put a remaining $9.1 million into financing the development or production of Maori language programmes.

Te Mangai Paho, which supports a Maori channel, is concerned that if it does not spend the money it may affect future Government funding.

But the urgent cash injection into Maori broadcasting does not come without problems.

The production industry has only five weeks to submit proposals to Te Mangai Paho and there is concern television broadcasters will not give the necessary backing - dedicated screening of the show - required by the agency.

It is possible the Te Mangai Paho board will finance the development of "timeless" programmes in preparation for the new channel.

The agency and Maori programme-makers came together yesterday for a hui to discuss the best way to spend the money and what types of programmes they should be funding.

What emerged was a frustration and concern about the attitude of Television New Zealand towards Maori broadcasting and calls for a Maori representative on the TVNZ board.

TV One had told the agency Maori language programmes did not fit its commercial imperatives, while TV2 would consider shows which fit its audience needs, the hui was told.

TV3 had suggested subtitles on Maori programmes would give them wider appeal - a move which has divided support among Maori programme-makers.

It emerged that TVNZ has attempted to reduce the number of Maori documentaries - from five to three - it must include in its high rating Documentary New Zealand time slot under an agreement with New Zealand On Air.

TVNZ had suggested exchanging the quota for a prime-time documentary slot giving an extra 1.5 hours of programming.

Without their own television channel, and a reluctance by mainstream television to give Maori more screen time, programme-makers were encouraged to look for other potential broadcasters than the main networks.

"We've got a lot of money sitting around and broadcasters who are thumbing their noses at us year after year," said Te Mangai Paho board member Joanna Paul. "We have to start looking at it laterally, if we don't we sink."

But actor and producer Pio Terei said he believed the major networks were the best places to be seen for the revitalisation of the Maori language.

He said producers could "garnish" programmes better - such as using subtitles - to get them on to mainstream television.