Te Mangai Paho review likely to be late

By KEVIN NORQUAY

A review into Maori broadcasting agency Te Mangai Paho (TMP) and its chief executive Trevor Moeke has been delayed and will not be released tomorrow, as planned.

TMP interim chairman Wira Gardiner intended to complete his review late this week, but allegations raised since he started it appear to have delayed him.

Those allegations centre on the relationship TMP had with programme production company Slightly Offbeat Productions.

His review of Mr Moeke was extended after those allegations were made public.

Herewini Te Koha was last week appointed to investigate whether Mr Moeke tried to recover cartoon licences from Slightly Offbeat, which was in liquidation.

Mr Gardiner has been investigating numerous claims about TMP's relationship with other companies and contracts for Maori television programmes.

NZPA understood his key findings had been determined, but what action should be taken remained an issue.

There was no prospect of the review being released tomorrow, a spokeswoman for Mr Gardiner said.

"It is near completion. It is only days away," she said.

A spokesman for Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia told NZPA the review would be available "when it is finished".

He could not say when that was likely.

"The way I look at it, it needs to be made public fairly quickly to stop all the speculation," he said.

Meanwhile, State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham today released the terms of reference for his review into Te Puni Kokiri (TPK), which oversees TMP.

It has been under fire for providing incorrect answers to Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia over TMP, which he then had to correct in Parliament.

Mr Wintringham will review TPK management systems relating to its monitoring of crown entities, and its provision of ministerial services.

Led by deputy state services commissioner Tony Hartevelt, the review will look at:

* TPK's system for monitoring its crown entities, particularly TMP

* TPK's advisory and support services to the Maori Affairs Minister, particularly in relation to TMP

* a review of TPK's ability to carry out its on-going business

* any other matter concerning TPK relevant to those questions.

An interim report covering the monitoring of crown entities could be released when that stage of the review was complete, Mr Wintringham said.

ACT MP Rodney Hide has led an opposition assault on TMP and Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia.

He has uncovered several instances of alleged mismanagement at the Maori broadcasting funding agency.

Mr Hide's allegations have resulted in a Treasury investigation and the resignation of TMP chairman Toby Curtis.

Mr Moeke has been sent on leave until the inquiry was completed.

Mr Gardiner has been appointed interim chairman for a year.

An interim audit report began this week.

- NZPA