Government to pay for Maori TV channel

The Government will pay for a state-owned Maori television channel to be set up this year.

The channel will have initial funding of $29 million a year, and it is likely more would be made available if that is not enough.

Programming will be in Maori and in English and the operation will be overseen by a board of seven, three appointed by the Government and four by an electoral college of Maori broadcasters.

The board will oversee the direction of the channel and appoint others for day-to-day management.

Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia will brief Maori broadcasting interest groups on the proposal in Wellington today.