Maori TV funds held for review

By RICHARD KNIGHT

The Government has kept its promise to review funding for the establishment of the new Maori television channel: it has put a hold on the release of the first instalment of $6.5 million.

The money, part of $10.9 million earmarked for capital funding to establish the channel, was due to be paid at the beginning of this month.

The Minister of Broadcasting, Marian Hobbs, said that before the project moved forward she had to be satisfied it was adequately funded.

"The Government is not going to be rushed into a decision. We have therefore deferred further action being taken until the cabinet considers a paper I will be putting up," she said.

"We fully support the concept of Maori television, but we don't want an under-resourced operation."

The deal for funding the channel was signed off by the National Government on the eve of the election and trumpeted by the then-Minister of Maori Affairs, Tau Henare, as a new era in the Crown-Maori relationship.

However, at the time of the deal, Labour leader Helen Clark said it was inappropriate for the National Government to make any major decisions within three months of the election. She promised a review of the matter.

A trust set up to establish and administer the television channel spent six months on the business plan for it after consultation with Maori around the country.

Ms Hobbs said she wanted some issues of concern cleared up before the first cabinet meeting of the new year decided whether to proceed.

"I want to be satisfied that the proposals have widespread support from the Maori community and our coalition partners."