Sharples Pita: Maori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Maori) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume 
Sharples Pita: Maori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Maori) Amendment Bill — First Reading 
[Sitting date: 20 March 2013. Volume:688;Page:8787. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.] 
Hon Dr PITA SHARPLES (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I move  
That the Maori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Maori) Amendment Bill be now read a first time. 
 At the appropriate time I intend to move that the bill be reported to the House by 23 July 2013 and that the committee have the authority to meet at any time while the House is sitting except during oral questions during any evening on a day on which there has been a sitting of the House and on a Friday in a week in which there has been a sitting of the House despite Standing Orders 188 and 191(1)(b) and (c). 
Ma tatou. Koia ra te karanga o Whakaata Maori ki a Aotearoa whanui. 
[ 
It is for us. That is the call of the Maori Television Service to New Zealand at large 
.] 
The launch of the Maori Television Service in 2004 was a watershed moment for Maori people and indeed all New Zealanders. It transformed the media landscape in this country. It made our language and culture accessible to a broad viewing audience. For Maori it has meant the celebration and normalisation of our language our tikanga and our people. I am delighted to celebrate its achievements. 
The Maori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Maori) Act 2003 established the Maori Television Service. It also specified that a review of the operation and the effectiveness of the Act be undertaken in 2008-09 with a report to Parliament and recommendations for any amendments to the foundation legislation. The review was conducted by an independent panel with expertise in Te Reo Maori the television industry and the broadcasting legislation. The panel members were Tainui Stephens Hone Edwards and Jane Huria. Their subsequent report contained 31 recommendations. 
The Minister of Finance and I are the responsible Ministers for the Maori Television Service. We worked with Te Putahi Paoho the Maori Television Service Electoral College to jointly review the recommendations from the independent panel. We did this in 2009-10. Following this Cabinet approved in principle the Government response to the review in October 2010 including various proposed changes to the foundation legislation subject to targeted consultation with Maori. At the time Cabinet deferred consideration of the four recommendations concerning the composition of Te Putahi Paoho so that this work could be synchronised with some related work streams in the Maori affairs portfolio. 
Te Puni Kokiri undertook targeted consultation hui with Maori in 2010 and in 2011 to discuss the proposed legislative changes. No concerns were raised at these hui about the proposed approach and the Government subsequently confirmed the proposed legislative changes as a basis for this bill. 
There is general agreement that the Maori Television Service does an excellent job with its core business. On that basis we are not proposing major changes to its underlying legislation. We do however seek to fine-tune this legislation so that the Maori Television Service is optimally positioned for digital switchover and can continue its strong focus on promoting our language our culture. Digital switchover is scheduled for completion in December 2013. We intend to enact this bill in 2013 so that the Maori Television Service is ready to go digital. 
The bill seeks to make minor changes to the functions of the Maori Television Service to strengthen its focus on Maori language and culture. It will also update arrangements for spectrum management and the contents of Maori Television Service accountability documents. It addresses arrangements for borrowing and investment by the Maori Television Service and also the timeliness of future reviews and other miscellaneous matters. 
The bill provides for a transfer of spectrum management rights from the Crown to Te Putahi Paoho and for Te Putahi Paoho to issue spectrum licences to the Maori Television Service to meet its current and future broadcasting needs. It is my expectation that Te Putahi Paoho will issue a national set of spectrum licences to the Maori Television Service immediately following the passage of this bill to cover a 20-year window. This approach reflects the role of Te Putahi Paoho as a kaitiaki of Maori interests in the Maori Television Service. It also provides certainty of tenure for the Maori Television Service about access to the necessary spectrum licences for it to undertake its business. It will also strengthen the relationship between the Maori Television Service and Te Putahi Paoho. 
The bill also provides for the creation of a deed between the responsible Ministers and Te Putahi Paoho to set up the terms and condition under which Te Putahi Paoho must exercise the spectrum management rights. These terms and conditions will address implementation requirements specific provisions about support for the Maori Television Service and the promotion of the Maori language and culture and circumstances under which Te Putahi Paoho would be required to return the spectrum management rights to the Crown. This approach provides some flexibility for the Crown and Te Putahi Paoho to manage amend and update operational arrangements for spectrum management on an ongoing basis without requiring further legislative change. 
It is my intention to refer the draft deed that has been prepared to the Maori Affairs Committee to inform its consideration of this bill. Following that Te Puni Kokiri and the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment will work on behalf of the responsible Ministers to finalise the deed with Te Putahi Paoho. 
As I have noted Cabinet has deferred consideration of the issues regarding the composition of Te Putahi Paoho. This is a serious matter and it will require significant engagement with Maori. I am keen to ensure that any work to consider the composition of Te Putahi Paoho is synchronised with related work streams in Vote Maori Affairs. On this basis I intend to report back to the House with my proposed approach to this matter at an appropriate time. 
It is important that this bill progress through the legislative process in a timely manner. There are a number of spectrum-related transitional arrangements that need to occur once this bill has been enacted to position the Maori Television Service for digital switch-over. For this reason I ask that the motion be agreed—that this bill be reported back to the House by 23 July 2013. 
I would like to briefly acknowledge the efforts of all those who have worked to bring Te Reo Maori into our homes through television. E oku rangatira tenei ka mihi atu ki a koutou ara ki a koutou mahi nunui hei painga mo Te Reo mo nga mokopuna mo nga iwi whanui. Tihei mauri ora. 
[ 
To my revered leaders I acknowledge you collectively particularly your outstanding contributions which the language grandchildren and people at large will benefit from. Behold the breath of life. 
] 
As I have noted the Maori Television Service has taken our language and culture to a broad viewing audience. It plays a major role in promoting our unique heritage and identity to Maori and non-Maori viewers through its outstanding annual coverage of things such as Anzac Day to its free-to-air coverage of the Rugby World Cup 2011 and through its presentation on everyday joys tribulations and triumphs of Maori and other New Zealanders. It is my intention to strengthen the platform for our language and culture through this legislation. I commend this bill to the House.