November 24, 2015
Lack of respect irks musical minister
Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell is unimpressed with the actions of New Zealand Music Award broadcasters who switched away whenever there was Maori content on the show.
That meant viewers at home did not get to hear the reo Maori singing within the electronica winner nor see Maori album award winner Ranea Aperahama’s tribute to rugby great Jonah Lomu.
Mr Flavell says there has been a lack of respect for Maori musicians within the industry.
"Look I’m right behind him and it’s not as if it happened once, it has actually happened over a number of years where there wasn’t even a recognition of Maori musicians full stop. So now we do have those one or two prizes we do get, which is about it, and that’s a real shame," he says.
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