A Labour MP is considering a members’ bill to increase te reo Maori on mainstream programmes that get New Zealand On Air funding to a set target of about 10-20%.
Waiariki MP and former broadcaster Tamati Coffey has posted about the idea on his official Facebook page, asking for feedback.
Mr Coffey posted feedback from a viewer of the Moving Out With Tamati programme, which he hosted, saying how much they enjoyed hearing both English and Maori spoken during the programmes.
Any MP can propose a members’ bill, unless they are a minister. To progress further the bill has to be drawn from the lottery of the ballot system. Government MPs who have a bill drawn have a good chance of seeing it become law.
The New Zealand Herald has contacted Mr Coffey for comment.
NZ On Air funds a wide range of TV programmes, documentaries and shows, including Westside, Filthy Rich, Jono And Ben and Country Calendar.
The funding agency’s website says it encourages the use of te reo Maori in mainstream content “as appropriate, to normalise the language as an official language of New Zealand”. However, there is currently no target.
Te Mangai Paho, part of the Ministry of Maori Development, promotes Maori language and culture by funding broadcasting and production.
Last week, Dunedin South MP Clare Curran was named the new Minister for Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media.
Labour’s stated broadcasting policy is to overhaul Radio NZ into RNZ+, which it says will be a “multi-platform provider dedicated to quality New Zealand programming and journalism”.
An extra $38 million a year to fund New Zealand programming and journalism will be apportioned between RNZ+ and NZ On Air.
Labour has said NZ On Air’s general mandate and role will not change, but its charter and scope will be reviewed.
