August 15, 2014
Te Mangai Paho eyes new putea
The chief executive of Te Mangai Paho says the Maori broadcast funding agency welcomes the chance to be involved in the information and communications technology sector.
It has been picked to administer a $30 million contestable fund created by Communications Minister Amy Adams as a concession for denying Maori access to 4G telecommunications spectrum.
John Bishara says the earlier allocations of 3G and radio and television spectrum to Maori came through the treaty claims that protection of Maori language and culture required access to broadcasting.
He says it’s timely for the agency to shift into ICT.
"Broadcasting seems to be heading that weay, and to be involved in supporting Maori economic development and also promoting Maori language and Maori culture through ICT is a really good opportunity that we are looking forward to," Mr Bishara says.
Over the coming year Te Mangai Paho will develop internal expertise and consult widely on how the fund should be spent when it starts in the 2015 financial year.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH JOHN BISHARA CLICK ON THE LINK
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