November 24, 2015
Maori tv blackout not acceptable
Maori musicians meet today with the Recording Industry Association and New Zealand on Air to discuss the treatment of Maori entrants at last week’s music industry awards.
The live broadcast of the show cut away whenever there was Maori content on stage.
Singer Moana Maniapoto says the industry is a reflection of New Zealand society, where Maori struggle to have their values and material recognised.
She says Maori fought hard to get recognition in the awards, as a way of inspiring musicians and telling them it’s ok to record material with a strong Maori flavour.
"We’ve got the criteria right but to actually not broadcast it on the night is a bit of a slap in the face and that is basically saying that it isn’t valued enough to be shown on television, that it’s collateral damage, so it’s not acceptable," Moana Maniapoto says.
She says New Zealanders are missing out on the richness of the culture because commercial radio won’t programme Maori material.
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