Viewing ourselves through a unique portal

Two weeks ago I was one of about a dozen journalists from around the motu (country) invited to spend the day as guests of Maori Television.
Maori Television has broadcast for over three years, but I have not received the channel into my home.That will change.
I discovered during my visit to the broadcaster why a growing number of viewers, 680,000 a month over the past four months, now at 722,000, tune into the channel every night.
Maori Television is not afraid to be different and have made credible progress in their strengths of language and content - in a Maori way sense of fun.
The viewing numbers speak for its success: 70 percent Maori aged five-plus; 72 percent Pacific Islander aged five-plus; 43 percent Pakeha aged five-plus and 32 percent Asian aged five-plus tune into the channel that touts nationhood and inclusiveness.
Tangata whenua said they shared their reo (language) and their stories while they acknowledged and championed indigenous cultures around the world.
The doomsayers had a field day when the channel first broadcast. Columnists dedicated their opinion-pieces to the 'white elephant's' instant demise. It would fail in its first year.
Notwithstanding Maori Television has a budget of $20 million to make 826 hours of programming and employs 170 people; Television New Zealand has a budget of $71 million to make 823 hours of programming.
The channel already has 42 percent advertising booked in next year's programming.
On the face of it, Maori Television looked like it was set up to fail.
CEO Jim Mather said they were given a budget to make programmes, but not to furnish a television station and offices.
They borrowed $10 million from Westpac to furbish a former furniture store in Newmarket Auckland, and in three years have repaid the loan.
Maori Television said they must be different and highlight their uniqueness (while) keeping it simple and real.
They would continue to enhance and expand the Maori focus of kaupapa Maori and te reo Maori on a journey of creativity in culture and tikanga which allowed Maori and New Zealand to view itself through a unique portal.
Next year a second channel in 100 percent Maori would screen three hours in prime time. Mr Mather said it would be a partnership with iwi around the motu which would build capacity and create employment in the regions and tell the stories in their way, in their mita and in their settings.
In March next year Maori Television will host the first World Indigenous Broadcasting conference with the theme - Reclaiming the first of indigenous languages cultures and identities.
Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru of Parihaka is the conference patron, and Sir Paul Reeves the conference ambassador.