Maori TV promises news from a different angle

By RENEE KIRIONA

Maori Television is promising a daily news programme of news that you will not see on TV1 and TV3.

Te Kaea (the Leader) will not be mainstream news in Maori but news from a Maori perspective, says its news editor Te Anga Nathan.

"We have no plans to chase the tales of mainstream editors or reporters because we have no plans whatsoever to compete with them," he said.

"When people tune in to Te Kaea they are going to be in for a surprise. I'm sure they will notice that when we come into work we do so wearing our Maori glasses."

Te Kaea's weather will look not only at highs and lows but tides and good times to fish and garden.

Although none of the programme's reporters have worked in mainstream media, Mr Nathan said most of them had done some time in Maori radio and had excellent Maori language ability.

"These reporters come from the cream of the crop in Maoridom. They are the kind that have been raised by their elders, who know the language and who know how to tune in to the communities."

The 30-minute programme will be in Maori seven days a week.

"We can only deliver Te Kaea in Maori because legislation has made it that way.

"However, within the next few months, we will be producing a bilingual current affairs programme called Te Heteri [the Sentinel]," Mr Nathan said.

Te Kaea, which has eight reporters, is expected to come into competition with TVNZ's Maori news and current affairs programmes Waka Huia, Marae and Te Karere.

"Te Karere has been in the game for a long time but we think it's time to unearth new talent rather than relying on the same people to interview over and over again."

News, current affairs and sports head Tawini Rangihau said she expected Te Kaea to change the landscape of news in New Zealand.

"Just because we are Maori that does not mean we will only do Maori stories. We can do Pakeha stories and add a Maori flavour to them and if we want to do something on Hollywood or the al Qaeda then we will," she said.

"The difference about working in Maori Television is that no one gets precious here, everyone has an input and everyone, no matter what their positions are, are valued.

"It's been a scramble trying to get all the stories in the bank ... but everyone is a new kid on the block at Maori Television."

During the week Te Kaea will be presented by Ngarimu Daniels and Julian Wilcox. Niwa Milroy will take over at weekends.

Te Kaea will debut on Sunday at 8pm with a one-hour special.