Tommy Wilson: Mihi shone a light on darkness

The face of Maori media has taken on a new tamoko, etched in the ink of knowledge by journalists such as Mihirangi Forbes.

A clever person once said: "The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge" - and, from the time we can talk, our inquiring minds have absorbed knowledge by asking questions.

Sometimes we got answers, others a nod or a smile, and then there were times when we knew now was not a good time to ask anything, especially if the 6 o'clock news was on the radio in our house.

When we were kids, asking questions of our elders and those in charge was almost frowned upon. Kids were to be seen and not heard was a popular quote around the marae and is still murmured today. I remember questioning my koro about something he had said and his look carried the conviction of 100 judges in sentencing me to silence.

Thankfully, not so in my own immediate family, although my dad did have a piece of advice when asking questions, and that was to know the difference between being smart and a smart alec, something that I am still trying to push the borderline with to this day. I guess the clipping of my last week's column by a good third can be explained by Dad's advice.

Back then, as a boy with more questions than answers in life, there were many who voted for who their father voted for, without ever questioning their political preference, as there were many whanau who based their religious beliefs on those of their parents, without ever questioning who carried what cross and to which church their Jesus belonged.

This last week has highlighted how far we have come within Maori media circles when seeking answers to questions or asking questions to source knowledge.

The face of Maori media has taken on a totally new tamoko, etched in the ink of knowledge by journalists such as Mihirangi Forbes and Julian Wilcox, both presenters on the Native Affairs programme aired on Maori Television.

Capable of anchoring any mainstream prime-time programme, these two taonga have both been brilliant in their articulated ability to wield the taiaha of knowledge and ask the questions of Maori leadership, who have until now been able to fly almost solo when being held accountable for their indiscretions.

It wasn't that many Matariki ago when the Bovver Boys of Maori political party leadership, Tuku and Tau, could bluff their way past the tough questions that would be asked by the Mihi Forbes and Julian Wilcoxes of today.

There was no Maori media to hold them accountable, nor was there the waka of Maori television to hold out the microphone.

Mainstream media didn't want to touch it, as it could easily become culturally insensitive and hotter than a hangi stone. So Tuku and Tau soon learned quickly how to play the Maori media game and how a Billy T smile could make a silk purse or, in this case, silk undies, out of a sow's ear. If there was anything good to come out of those early MMP days for Maori, it was to learn how the mechanics of mainstream media worked and how the true power base of politics is knowledge, and one's capacity to absorb it and then use it against your political opponents.

So why did Mihi walk from Maori Television?

The tito or the spin put on Ms Forbes' resignation by newly appointed chief executive Paora Maxwell is almost laughable, as was his appointment, when he himself entered the arena of Maori media through a side door.

This out of the blue "ka kite" resignation came from someone who many among Maori consider to be the much-needed breath of life to hongi honesty into the upper echelon of Maori leadership.

In a pipi shell, Paora Maxwell decided to pull last Monday's Native Affairs, a show Mihi had worked on for months, and it was about to put the blowtorch on Te Kohanga National Trust.

So rather than be walked over, Mihi walked out.

Just as John Campbell did the week before.

"When one warrior falls yielding the taiaha of knowledge, another will rise" is the catchcry on the kumara vine of Maori media. A cry that is growing louder by many Maori, who do not accept that because you have reached the sunset years of life you have earned the right not to be held accountable for your actions.

I mihi (acknowledge) both Mihi and John - for their courage of conviction.

For their articulated ability to yield the taiaha of knowledge and ask the hard questions - that, without answers, will leave a long dark cloud of doubt across Aotearoa.

broblack@xtra.co.nz

-Tommy Wilson is a best-selling author and local writer.