Maori broadcasting pioneer bows out (+ video)

One of the pioneers of Maori broadcasting, Hinerangi Goodman, has retired after 30 years championing te reo Maori on television screens and airways.

For the past eight years she has been based in Rotorua as Bay of Plenty reporter for Te Karere, and is ready to leave broadcasting in the capable hands of the next generation.

Her career began in 1987 as a member of New Zealand's first permanent te reo irirangi, Radio Aotearoa.

"It wasn't anything we stopped to think about. It was challenging but, you know, the rewards were there."

She pursued Maori broadcasting at a time when it was not mainstream and the language was declining.

"I took me out there amongst the people, Maori and Pakeha," she said. "It was always important to remember where I come from."

In 1991 New Zealand broadcaster Derek Fox was looking for people to work on Te Karere and she was the perfect fit, "an excellent example of someone who transitioned into using the language as a tool, there were very few Maori journalists, and even fewer who had Maori language," he said.

Mrs Goodman spent the next 25 years on screen for the TVNZ show.

"It's the ultimate career, there's no other can compare. I love the job every day, you never know where the next story will come from, and you've just got to keep going."

Mrs Goodman acknowledged "there's lots left to be achieved" in Maori broadcasting.

"I just hope that in the future we will be able to do it as a team. We won't be relying on Maori to tell Maori news. I don't want it to be a Maori team and a Pakeha team, but all of us."

Now that it's coming to an end, she describes the past 30 years as the "most exciting era".

"I'm happy to bow out at a stage where te reo is being looked after."

Te Karere executive producer Arana Taumata was sad to see her go.

"I take my hat off to her, she has her own unique style and she's been a good work mate, always got time to give advice and support."

The woman Mr Taumata describes as a "living legend," had some memorable moments on screen.

"She gets so involved she was doing a mammogram piece, baring all to camera."

Mrs Goodman takes up the story. "Maori women had the highest stats for breast cancer, so I pulled out my own boobs, and it meant I could tell the story from the best possible view."

Mr Taumata said he was honoured to carry on her work.

"Today's generation look up to her, she laid down the foundation, without people like her, we wouldn't be here."

Last night Te Karere took a special look back on her time with the show.

Te Reo Irirangi o Te Upoko director Adrian Wagner said her retirement was a huge loss for broadcasting.

"Her stories, the excellence of her language, it's just absolutely fantastic."

TVNZ's Head of News and Current Affairs John Gillespie described Mrs Goodman as a "familiar face and trusted journalist over the many years she's been on our screens".

So what of the future for Mrs Goodman?

She plans to dedicate herself to Matekuare Whanau trust, look after the marae and take part in the happenings.

Of course, she will "always be keeping an eye on the progress".

History of Maori Broadcasting

1928 - First Maori language radio broadcast, Waitangi Day
1964 - New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation launched a Maori programmes section
1978 - Te Reo o Aotearoa, the first permanent Maori radio station was launched.
1980 - TVNZ created a Maori broadcasting unit
1983 - Te Karere begins
2004 - The Maori television channel was launched
2008 - Te Reo, a secondary Maori channel began airing
2016 - There are 21 Maori radio stations