Maori TV's picks 'bizarre'

By AUDREY YOUNG

National says television content commissioned by the Maori Television Service last year are a bizarre bunch of programmes for a channel set up to preserve the Maori language and culture.

They include shows on skate culture, DIY for marae, and a national karaoke competition.

But the service itself says the channel is also a window for all New Zealanders to Maori perspectives.

A list of 53 programmes commissioned since July last year was supplied to National MP Tony Ryall in response to a parliamentary question.

Mr Ryall believed New Zealanders would be surprised. "The Maori Television Service was in response to the lofty dictates of the Court of Appeal's ruling on the preservation of the Maori language.

"I think a lot of New Zealanders will find a programme called Aotearoa Sk8, Mitre 10 Marae DIY and Maori-Oke somewhat removed from their expectations. Some of them are doozies."

He was particularly intrigued by the shows entitled Bro TV - Just Feel it and Life on Mars.

"The only people on Mars here are [Maori Affairs Minister] Parekura Horomia and the Government that are paying for it," said Mr Ryall.

A spokesman for the Maori Television Service said last night that the board was well aware of the history of the court decisions on Maori broadcasting. The board also understood that the channel was to be a window for all New Zealanders on to Maori life.