Listen Now: 
Television producer turned National list MP Claudette Hauiti wants to see more innovation on Maori tv screens.
Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples has signalled a shake-up in the sector.
He plans to widen the scope of Maori Television’s Maori electoral college to also have responsibility for picking the boards of Maori broadcast funding agency Te Mangai Paho and the Maori language commission.
Ms Hauiti says Maori viewers are demanding a different look and feel to the way they get their information.
"We’ve seen that with the change in the look and feel of Te Karere and Marae. I think they are doing an admirable job. There is always more they can do. Around Maori Television, I don’t think it is always necessarily about money but it’s allowing those, particularly independent producers, give them their lead and bring back innovative styles of programming," she says.
Ms Hauiti says Maori television needs to be aligned with the wider language strategy, commissioning local productions rather than dubbing overseas shows like Mr Ed and Dora the Explorer.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
RELATED NEWS
