Horomia Parekura: Maori Television Service Bill — Second Reading 
Horomia Parekura: Maori Television Service Bill — Second Reading 
[Volume:607;Page:4908] 
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Minister of Maori Affairs) 
: 
 I move  
That the Maori Television Service Bill be now read a second time 
. The idea of a Maori television service has been around for some time. A Maori television service was given impetus as a result of the 1993 Privy Council decision in the broadcasting assets case. The Privy Council noted amongst other things that the Government had made a commitment by Cabinet agreement in 1991 to set aside funding for the purpose of promoting Maori language and culture in broadcasting part or all of which could be used to assist in the development of special-purpose television. This bill establishes the Maori Television Service. The bill also confirms the Maori Television Electoral College known as Te Putahi Paoho. The bill confirms the partnership approach that the Government and Maori have negotiated in relation to the governance accountability and general operation of the Maori Television Service. 
The principal function of the Maori Television Service is to promote Maori language and culture through the provision of a high-quality cost-effective Maori television service in both Maori and English that informs educates and entertains and in doing so enriches New Zealand society culture and heritage. The channel will assist in highlighting and promoting Maori success and will encourage the further achievement of Maori in education and in areas of social and economic development. The new channel will screen te reo Maori and Maori programmes in prime time. For the first time we will start to see Maori-orientated programmes at times when Maori and New Zealand audiences usually watch television. 
The Maori Television Service is a statutory corporation. It involves Maori and the Crown in the governance and accountability of the service. Similar accountability provisions to those in the Public Finance Act will apply. Those include the requirement for a statement of intent for an output agreement at the beginning of the financial year and for an annual report at the end of each financial year. The service will have a seven-member board with four directors appointed by the Maori Television Electoral College and three by the responsible Ministers. That arrangement is unique and reflects the interest that both the Crown and Maori have in the service. 
I would like to acknowledge the work of the Maori Affairs Committee. The select committee has proposed a number of changes to the bill including providing a new Maori translation of the preamble removing the Kaitiaki Trust from the bill requiring the service to foster where appropriate its broadcasting capacity through appropriate training and education and aligning the provisions relating to the independence of the service with a similar provision in the recently passed Television New Zealand Act. The select committee has also proposed the inclusion of a clause protecting the name “Maori Television Service” and a provision requiring that any failures by the directors to report conflicts of interest are specified in the service’s annual report as well as a tightened and clearer disputes resolution process. 
The select committee has advised that the service’s functions as set out in the bill generally provide an appropriate level of guidance to the service while still providing an opportunity for the board to draw its own interpretations. Members will also observe that the select committee has recommended that a number of the operational and administrative clauses be moved from the main body of the bill to the schedules. That will assist those who will be required to operate under the legislation. 
I would like to elaborate on a number of the select committee’s recommendations starting with the 5-year review. The Government and Te Putahi Paoho agreed during the course of negotiations on the Maori Television Service model that the Government would retain a short-term involvement in governance and implementation and an ongoing involvement in funding the service which could necessitate a review of the legislation at some point in the future. The select committee has proposed that that intention be taken on board by proposing that this legislation be reviewed after 5 years from the date it comes into force. The review would cover the operation and effectiveness of the legislation in accordance with terms of reference set by the responsible Ministers. The responsible Ministers will be required to consult Te Putahi Paoho on the terms of reference prior the commencement of the review. 
The select committee proposes that the review report be presented to the House of Representatives within 6 years of the commencement date of the legislation. That time frame will allow the service and the broadcasting industry as a whole sufficient time to get on with the establishment and bedding down of the service. I commend that proposal to the House as a practical means of being able to evaluate and assess performance and to identify changes that will improve the operational effectiveness of the legislation and the Maori Television Service. 
The select committee has also proposed aligning clause 10 “Independence of Service” with a similar provision contained in section 28 of the Television New Zealand Act. That more specifically excludes potential directions to the service by the responsible Ministers Te Putahi Paoho and directors acting without the authority of the board. 
The select committee proposes there be greater clarity of the disputes resolutions process for instances where disagreements occur. The proposed changes set out a more deliberate procedure for the resolution of disputes with mediation when both parties are unable to reach agreement. 
The Maori Affairs Committee also proposed the removal of the Kaitiaki Trust from the bill. The sole purpose of the Kaitiaki Trust was to receive the ultra-high frequency management right from the Crown and to transfer it to the Maori Television Service. The select committee identified the Kaitiaki Trust as being largely symbolic. The select committee’s arguments are well made. It is largely for the reasons it has given that I propose at the appropriate time to introduce a Supplementary Order Paper that will provide for the safeguarding of the ultra-high frequency right by Te Putahi Paoho. The Supplementary Order Paper will also propose a number of minor technical amendments to the bill. 
This bill provides for the establishment of the Maori Television Service. It may therefore be appropriate for me to briefly update the House on recent developments associated with the establishment of the service. The establishment board is at full strength with seven members. The responsible Ministers and Te Putahi Paoho recently announced the appointment of Mr Wayne Walden as the chair and Ms Ani Waaka as the deputy chair of the Maori Television Service Establishment Board. The service has recently appointed a provisional chief executive and is commencing the recruitment process for other key staff. It has moved into its studio and office premises in Newmarket Auckland. 
The Maori Television Service has moved significantly towards the signing of contracts for the provision of the ultra-high frequency transmission service and is in negotiations over a digital satellite platform. It has completed the identification of its studio and broadcasting equipment needs and is on the verge of signing contracts with preferred providers. There are hours of programming that have either been commissioned or are in the process of being commissioned. Arrangements have also been made with Television New Zealand to access archival material and the service has advised me that Television New Zealand is being very helpful in lending support to the establishment of the channel. 
The passage of this bill and the introduction of Maori television is long awaited by Maori in this country and by all New Zealanders. I commend the bill to the House.