Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Shanks Katrina: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:653;Page:2702] 
8.  
KATRINA SHANKS (National) 
 to the  
Minister of Broadcasting 
: What recent announcement has he made regarding contestable funding for broadcasting? 
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN (Minister of Broadcasting) 
: 
 Last week the Government announced the establishment of a $15 million contestable fund to support New Zealand public television broadcasting. The Platinum Television Fund as it is known takes the $15 million that was formerly ring-fenced for Television New Zealand Ltd (TVNZ) and opens it up for competition to the full range of national free-to-air broadcasters and independent producers. The money will be available from 1 July this year and will support a range of quality content that would not otherwise make it on to our television screens. 
Katrina Shanks 
: What will the Platinum Television Fund deliver? 
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN 
: In the first year priority will be given to high-end drama and documentaries specialist current affairs programmes and special events programming. The aim is that at the end of each financial year the public will be able to see clearly how the $15 million has been spent and what it has produced. Under the previous Government it was not always clear what the $15 million of charter money actually went into. Under this Government the emphasis will be on funding high-quality public broadcasting content in a transparent manner and that is what the Platinum Television Fund will deliver. 
Katrina Shanks 
: How will the Platinum Television Fund help fulfil the Government’s visions for broadcasting? 
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN 
: Before the election National committed to funding the best possible public television content regardless of what channel it appears on. The Platinum Television Fund will allow all New Zealand free-to-air broadcasters and independent producers to compete for that funding. The National Government does not believe that one broadcaster has a monopoly on good ideas. We know that Kiwis want to access quality content and that they do not mind if it is on TVNZ TV3 or Maori Television. By making the Platinum Television Fund fully contestable we will ensure that the best possible content makes it onto our screens. That is what the public wants. 
Te Ururoa Flavell 
: Tena koe. Kia ora tatou to the Minister. How will the provision of contestable funding support channels to meet their charter requirements to ensure that the participation of Maori can be clearly identified and the presence of a significant Maori voice can be heard? 
Hon Dr JONATHAN COLEMAN 
: It is important to note that TVNZ is the only television broadcaster with a charter. Although this Government has signalled its intention to repeal that charter a statutory function that includes reflecting Maori perspectives will be included in the Television New Zealand Amendment Act. TVNZ has a specific Maori content strategy. I am advised that its commitment to Maori programming will not change. In addition one of the key statutory functions of New Zealand On Air is to promote Maori language and Maori culture. New Zealand On Air also has a specific strategy for Maori programming. Finally this Government is a supporter of Maori Television which received approximately $32.5 million in direct funding last year. It also received over $19 million in contestable funding from Te Mangai Paho.