Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Flavell Te Ururoa: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:641;Page:11661] 
11.  
TE URUROA FLAVELL (Maori Party—Waiariki) 
 to the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: Kei te whakaae ia ki te korero o te Tumuaki o Whakaata Maori a Jim Mather i ki ka raru a Whakaata Maori a nga ra kei te heke iho a ka raru hoki te putea i te rautaki reo Maori hou kua whakaritea e TVNZ a meina kei te whakaae ia me pehea a ia e mau tonu ki tona kupu i te rua tekau ma ono o Hongongoi ara “e kore e iti iho te nui o nga whakaari reo Maori” i runga i a Whakaata Maori? 
[ 
Does he agree with the Maori Television chief executive Jim Mather who has described the State broadcaster’s newly developed Maori strategy as a threat to Maori Television’s future and to its funding base; if so how will he keep the commitment he gave on 26 July 2007 that “There will be no decrease in the amount of Maori language programming” on Maori Television? 
] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Customs) 
 on behalf of the  
Minister of Maori Affairs 
: No. Maori Television as an emerging public service broadcaster has secured a leadership role in providing a broad range of Maori language and general content programmes that appeal to many viewers in the New Zealand audience. The Maori Television Service is quickly becoming the channel of choice for many people. Recent figures support that trend. In an industry where audience share is everything Television New Zealand has realised that it needs to lift its game. I for one welcome more Maori language and content programmes on all public service broadcasters. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Na te mea ko ia te Minita mo nga Take Maori ka tuturu tana whakapono e ki nei“i korero tahi ake ano tatou mo toku whakaaro kaore e whakaae ake awau ki te nekeneke i a  
Te Karere 
 me  
Marae 
”; a meina ae he aha ai? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Does the Minister of Maori Affairs stand by his comment: “I made it clear that I don’t support the proposed changes to  
Te Karere 
 and  
Marae 
”; if so why? 
] 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: Comments were made with the understanding that all editorial comments in relation to TVNZ are a matter to be dealt with by the Minister of Broadcasting. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Kei te matau ia ki nga awangawanga o tana hoa a Dover Samuels i tana korero “he porangi pohauhau” te wa hou kua whakaritea e TVNZ hei wa paoho a “e whakaiti ana i to tatou reo” a he aha ona tohutohu ki te Minita Whakapaoho mo te whanui o te whakaahunga a te Maori mo enei whakarereketanga ? 
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Is the Minister of Maori Affairs aware of the concerns of his fellow Maori MP Dover Samuels that the changes instigated by TVNZ are “ridiculous” and that the new time format “belittles our language”; and what advice will he be giving the Minister of Broadcasting about the widespread dissatisfaction among Maori about these changes? 
]  
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: The Minister of Maori Affairs has no problem expressing views about the way in which any broadcaster addresses issues concerning Maori and neither should he. In relation to colleagues who have made statements with similar content they well know that those are issues for the Minister of Broadcasting. However let me say that the Minister of Maori Affairs has been no stranger to supporting Maori language programming on all public service broadcasters. He will continue to do so in an effort to ensure that both in front of and behind the camera Maori continue to thrive in the broadcasting industry. 
Moana Mackey 
: What reports has the Minister received about the Maori Television Service? 
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: The Minister has received a number of reports that show that the number of people watching the Maori Television Service has increased and that is a positive thing. TVNZ has lifted its game to try to respond. What that will do is to increase Maori language and content programming on all public service broadcasters. That too is a positive thing. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Kua rongo ia i te korero o Whai Ngata te Kaiwhakahaere Maori mo TVNZ e ki ana ehara i te mea na te iti o nga whakatauranga mo te karere te take i neke ia i te mea ko  
Te Karere 
 kei mua noa atu o nga whakaari Maori katoa a ko nga whika tonu a TVNZ kei te ki ka heke nga kaititiro Maori ki te tekau o-rau mena ka neke a  
Te Karere 
 ki te tekau ma rima meneti ki te wha karaka i te ahiahi na ka taea e ia te whakamarama he aha i mahi ai a TVNZ i tenei mahi ahakoa he rereke nga whakaaturanga?  
[An interpretation in English was given to the House.] 
[ 
Is the Minister of Maori Affairs aware that TVNZ’s General Manager Whai Ngata has stated that poor ratings are not the reason for moving  
Te Karere 
 as it was the best performing of all Maori content programmes and that TVNZ’s own figures suggest that a 3.45 p.m. slot would reduce the number of Maori viewers to just 10 percent; and can he explain why TVNZ is taking this action despite all evidence suggesting otherwise? 
]  
Hon NANAIA MAHUTA 
: I restate on behalf of the Minister of Maori Affairs that issues of an editorial nature are a matter for the Minister of Broadcasting. I am sure that the Minister of Maori Affairs will relay a number of concerns to that Minister. However TVNZ may care to reflect on the timing issues which may advantage the Maori Television Service and its programming timing slots.