OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF MAORI AFFAIRS
OFFICE OF THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
TUESDAY 19 MAY 1998
MAORI BROADCASTING: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Maori television
Q. Why is the Government funding Maori
television?
A. The Maori language
is in a perilous state. The Crown has a pressing Treaty and legal obligation
to develop and implement a policy on Maori television services. The Crown
has given assurances to the Courts, up to the Privy Council, that it will
set out a timetable for developing a policy and publishing a plan for "the
development of special purpose Maori television and for the extension of Maori
language programming on commercial television."
Q.
How is the Government's Maori television policy different from Aotearoa Television
Network?
A. In a number of ways. First, funding
for Maori language programming through television has been approved for three
years, when its effectiveness will be reviewed. ATN was a short-term pilot
programme.
Second, a Maori trust will be responsible
for managing the assets needed to establish a nationwide Maori television
channel. The trust will need to ensure that these assets are used for their
primary purpose - promotion of Maori language - and that they are used in
a cost effective manner.
Under ATN, there were no such governance
arrangements. ATN broadcast only to the Auckland region.
Third, while Te Mangai Paho's arrangements
for making funding decisions in respect of ATN were basically sound, there
were some deficiencies in terms of planning and monitoring. These will be
overcome in future by allowing more time in the planning stages and ensuring
that Te Mangai Paho is adequately funded to manage its funding contracts.
Q.
How much will a Maori television channel cost?
A. This depends largely on what kind
of programme schedule is envisaged. But allowing for a reasonable level of
Maori language programming in prime time hours, it has been estimated that
a Maori television channel would cost approximately $12.3-$12.7m (excl GST)
per annum, allowing for modest income derived from advertising and sponsorship.
Of this, approximately $6.1m (excl GST) would constitute direct programming
costs, i.e. with no allowance for transmission and general operating expenses.
In addition, there are likely to be
capital set-up costs which the establishment group will investigate.
Q.
What will be the role of the Maori trust?
A. The Maori trust will be charged
with managing assets required to establish a nationwide Maori television channel,
in particular, UHF frequencies reserved by the Government for the promotion
of Maori language and culture, and a one-off capital sum to build a transmission
network, purchase the necessary equipment and fit-out suitable premises, as
required.
It is envisaged that the trust will
lease the use of these assets to a Maori broadcaster under suitable terms
and conditions aimed at ensuring that they used for their primary purpose
- promotion of Maori language - and that they are used in a cost effective
manner.
Q.
How will the Maori trust operate?
A. The detailed operation of the Maori
trust, including how trustees will be appointed, will be a question for the
establishment group to answer.
If the group finds its task impracticable,
the Government will reconsider the matter when the group reports.
Q.
Who will be the members of the establishment group for the Maori trust?
A. The Minsters of Maori Affairs and
Communications will be considering membership of the group over the next week
or so. They will be seeking nominations from the National Maori Organisations
and will be looking to appoint members who have skills and experience in such
areas as governance arrangements, business planning and operations, and the
Maori language.
The group will be small - three to
four members - and will be supported by a secretariat provided by the Ministry
of Commerce.
Q.
What will the establishment group be tasked to do?
A. The group will be required to report
to the Ministers of Maori Affairs and Communications, by 31 July 1998, with
recommendations on the establishment of a Maori trust. In particular, the
group will be requested to develop a suitable trust deed; advise on an appointments
procedure and the appointment of initial trustees; advise how the operation
of the trust should be funded; and advise on any other relevant matter.
Q.
What consultation has there been with Maori over the development of the Government's
Maori television policy?
A. The Crown consulted widely with Maori
last year and the outcome of this consultation is summarised in the publication
entitled "Maori Television - A Summary of Views" (attached). In addition,
Ministers and Principals of the National Maori Organisations have met on a
number of occasions, most recently as late as the week before last.
Q.
How will the Crown ensure that Maori language programmes are broadcast on
the main television networks?
A. Te Mangai Paho will be responsible
for deciding the appropriate balance between programmes shown on the main
television networks and other broadcasters, including a Maori television channel.
Te Mangai Paho's current funding of
Maori language programmes that are produced and broadcast by TVNZ amounts
to approximately $4.1 million per annum. This purchases 3¼ hours per week
over a 36 week period. Additional funds are currently being provided for independent
productions.
Q.
Will legislation be required to implement the Government's proposals?
A. No, although two amendments to the
Broadcasting Act 1989 will be sought in respect of Te Mangai Paho. Te Mangai
Paho
Q.
What is the current membership of Te Mangai Paho's Board?
A. Te Mangai Paho's Board currently
comprises Bill Nathan, Toby Curtis, Frank Soloman and Ian Cormack. Under the
Broadcasting Act 1989, up to seven Board members can be appointed.
Q.
How will the Board be strengthened?
A. In considering Board appointments,
the Ministers of Communications and Maori Affairs will be consulting widely.
In particular, they will be seeking nominations from the National Maori Organisations
and other Maori groups, including Maori broadcasters, for suitably qualified
and experienced candidates.
Q.
Why is the Government seeking a power of ministerial direction over Te Mangai
Paho?
A. The proposed direction is limited
to matters of general government policy. Ministers will not have the power
to intervene in particular funding decisions. It is desirable that the Government
has the power to direct Te Mangai Paho in relation to matters of general government
policy in view of its Treaty and legal obligations to promote the Maori language.
The direction will bring Te Mangai
Paho into line with the position that has existed for NZ On Air for some time.
Q.
What changes will be sought in respect of Te Mangai Paho's statutory functions?
A. It is proposed to make it clearer
that Te Mangai Paho stands primarily for the promotion of Maori language and
its culture (te reo Maori me ona tikanga) as opposed to the Maori language
and culture. (Te Mangai Paho is charged with promoting Maori language and
culture by making funds available for broadcasting and the production of programmes
to be broadcast.
NZ On Air is similarly charged with
promotion of Maori language and culture as one of its functions. In practice,
Te Mangai Paho places emphasis primarily
on Maori language promotion, in line with the Government's priorities, while
NZ On Air concentrates primarily on Maori cultural programming).
Q.
What funds will be available to Te Mangai Paho in 1998/99?
A. Te Mangai Paho will receive 14.4%
of the Public Broadcasting Fee, net of collection costs, from NZ On Air. In
1998/99, this is forecast to be $12.3 million (excl GST). In Te Mangai Paho's
draft Statement of Intent for 1998/99, Te Mangai Paho plans to spend $9.2
million on Maori radio and $1.1 million on account of its own administration.
In addition, Te Mangai Paho will receive
a Crown appropriation of $16.875 million (incl GST), tagged for Maori language
programming through television broadcasting.
Maori radio
Q.
What funding is currently provided for Maori radio services?
A. In 1997/98, Te Mangai Paho is making
$9.3 million available for the purchase of Maori radio services.
Of this, $4.5 million is being provided
to iwi stations for Maori language and cultural programming; $2.2 million
for the purchase of national Maori radio services; $1.3 million for Maori
language outputs in excess of the threshold requirement; $0.7 million for
the "Starnet" (a telecommunications link used to distribute programming to
stations); $0.4 million for coverage extensions; and $0.2 million for independent
programming.
Q.
Is funding for Maori radio to be increased?
A. A funding increase is not planned
at this stage.
This question cannot be finally answered,
however, until the Government has completed its planned consultation with
Maori in Hamilton in July 1998.
Q.
Is it reasonable for Te Mangai Paho to require Maori radio broadcasters to
broadcast Maori language in blocks of at least ten minutes?
A. Most Maori radio stations broadcast
in blocks of at least one hour.
They find this is the most practical
and effective way to meet their Maori language commitments.
It should be noted that Te Mangai Paho
is not in the business of funding Maori radio as such, but only to the extent
that it promotes the Maori language.
The Ministry of Commerce makes available
frequencies on the same basis.
