Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Rich Katherine: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:610;Page:7832] 
11.  
KATHERINE RICH (NZ National) 
 to the  
Minister of Broadcasting 
: Can he confirm as reported in the media that the appointment of a kaihautu by Television New Zealand Limited is related to its charter responsibilities and can he advise the House what specific functions will be carried out by the person recently appointed to that position? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Broadcasting) 
: 
 Under the Television New Zealand Act staff appointments are the responsibility of the chief executive. I am advised that as part of filling its charter requirements TVNZ’s senior management board felt it appropriate to appoint a person with the appropriate background in both the local television industry and Maori culture. 
Katherine Rich 
: Why was the position not advertised in the normal way and why was there no job description for the position until the successful applicant was chosen? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: For this operational matter—which of course is a matter for TVNZ’s management—it was felt that the traditional process of using a recruiter or advertising in print was not an effective way of reaching the right candidates. After consultation with a number of prominent Maori figures who were consulted separately a number of appropriate candidates were identified with a short list invited for interviews in front of a panel of three people. 
Darren Hughes 
: Has he seen any recent reports supporting public service television? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I am pleased to note that after many years of opposition Katherine Rich on  
Media Watch 
 on Sunday supported public television and the high level of local content it brings. I welcome the National Party’s— 
Mr SPEAKER 
: That really has nothing to do with the original question. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: If this so-called appointment of a kaihautu has any merit what on earth are we doing spending hundreds of millions on the Maori Television Service which is being set up right now; if the Maori Television Service has any merit why on earth are we putting up this sort of tokenistic appointment as some sort of sop to the Maori people; did the Minister consult with the “TWs” of his caucus on this matter? 
Mr SPEAKER 
: There were three questions there. Two can be commented on. 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: The matter of course is one for the management of TVNZ but TVNZ believes that because it is a national broadcaster it has an obligation to provide mainstream programming in English that reflects Maori interests and values for all New Zealanders. That is why it made the appointment. 
Deborah Coddington 
: How can New Zealand have any confidence in his answers when journalists within TVNZ see the appointment of Hone Edwards to the top management table as Ross Armstrong in disguise and a return to that chairman’s censoring of journalists who cover contentious Maori issues like Tariana Turia’s Holocaust comments John Tamihere embarrassing his caucus and Ella Henry’s bullying of traffic cops? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Putting aside all the extraneous material and addressing the question of why Mr Edwards is the person to hold this position I say to the House that Mr Edwards has held positions in Maori television broadcasting TVNZ and the independent production community over the last 19 years as producer director editor and reporter. He is currently head of programme commissioning for the Maori Television Service. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Maori and linguistics and a postgraduate diploma in journalism. He will now be one of the 10 people reporting directly to Ian Fraser as the chief executive officer of TVNZ. 
Katherine Rich 
: Can he see the contradiction in appointing a kaihautu when at the same time TVNZ is cutting costs cutting the news budget making staff redundant and cancelling high-quality current affairs and drama programmes? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: No. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: I ask the Minister again: has he consulted the “TWs” in his caucus on the merits of having a Maori Television Service that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and alongside it having an appointment of this type in Television New Zealand? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I think the member is referring to the Maori Television Service. I am not the Minister responsible for that service. He might like to put a question to either of the two Ministers responsible. Mr Edwards’ job is the responsibility of Television New Zealand’s management. I do not consult with anybody on it—they make their own decisions. 
Katherine Rich 
: Did the agreement worked out between TVNZ and unsuccessful applicant Ripeka Evans involve any commitment undertaking or promise from TVNZ to engage or commission Ms Evans to undertake any form of consultancy contract or programme production? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I am aware of the person the member is speaking about but because that is a matter for TVNZ’s management the details she raises would not properly be in my hands anyway.