Language and custom expert Pouroto Ngaropo will soon join Maori Television's executive leadership team.
Mr Ngaropo (Mataatua, Te Arawa, Tainui, Takitimu and Ngatokimatawhaorua) will take up the new position of Tumuaki Pumanawa Tangata (Head of People, Language and Culture) and be responsible for driving the development of an integrated people, language and culture strategy at Maori Television.
Chief executive Paora Maxwell (Ngati Rangiwewehi) said one of the key aspects of the new role will be developing an internal Maori language strategy that ensures that Maori TV staff have the opportunity to learn Maori and that the organisation is bilingual by 2020. Sharing Maori TV's strategic vision with iwi and Maori communities will also be another role that Mr Ngaropo will help fulfil.
Mr Ngaropo has extensive knowledge of te Ao Maori, as well as wide-ranging management and also teaching experience. He has held a number of cultural advisory roles and is a former Whakatane District councillor. He has also been the chairman or member of many health, community and iwi organisations.
"Maori TV look forward to Pouroto joining the team, he is a superlative candidate for the job. The skills he brings will be invaluable to Maori Television in our efforts to revitalise te reo Maori through engagement of our audiences on our many platforms," Mr Maxwell said.
