Networks rush to air Maori perspective

By JON STOKES

Turn on to TV One around 9.30am on a Saturday and the face of outspoken former Maori politician Willie Jackson will greet you.

He is the newest frontman for Eye to Eye, pegged as a current affairs series from a Maori perspective, which kicked off last weekend.

It is the latest in what looks set to become a busy offering for those eager to watch current affairs with a Maori bent.

Jackson's show joins the formerly exclusive domain of TV One's Sunday morning Marae, in which Shane Taurima ponders Maori issues with a handful of guests.

In July TV3 expects to join the fray, with its own, yet to be named, Maori current affairs programme with former Te Karere reporter and 20/20 producer Mihingarangi Forbes ear-marked to run proceedings for the show.

The same month sees the launch of Maori television's version, entitled Te Hetere, which will be in English and Maori, and produced and hosted by veteran Maori journalist Wena Harawira.

Top of the Box productions executive producer Claudette Hauiti, whose company produces Eye To Eye and TV3's new show. believes there is growing demand from the wider community to understand Maori issues.

Ms Hauiti lists the foreshore and seabed legislation and last month's hikoi that it spawned as examples of such issues. "People want to know what's happening," she said. "They want to know if Maori are going to kick pakeha off the beach when they go there for a BBQ."

Maori Television's head of news and current affairs, Tawini Rangihau, believes the move by the major networks to provide Maori current affairs offerings is driven in part by a need to counter the effects of Maori television.

"They are moving to counter the new broadcaster on the block. It is realistic that we will take some of their market share."

However, she says Te Hetere has targeted a different audience.

"Our programme will provide a platform for Maori to discuss Maori issues between their different communities."

Next week will see the launch of TV One's State Of the Nation, a programme focused on getting New Zealanders to openly discuss the country's race relations.

Anchored by Anita McNaught, and co-hosted by Robert Rakete and Kerre Woodham, the show hopes to get "ordinary Kiwis to talk about the big race questions - do Maori have special citizenship rights under the Treaty of Waitangi?

"Why are issues like the foreshore so important to Maori? What will it take for the two races to move forward?"

While answers are not guaranteed, the topics look set to dominate television discussion forums in the coming months.

Herald Feature: Maori broadcasting

Maori TV website