June 22, 2017
New boss needs aspirations for all
A leading Maori academic wants the next chief executive of Maori Television to be not just skilled in management but to bring fresh ideas and commitment to the channel's role in revitalising te re Maori.
The channel has advertised for a replacement for Paora Maxwell, who is leaving after just three years of a five year term that included the departure of many senior staff and a drawn out search for new headquarters that resulted in a move of the headquarters to an industrial area in south Auckland.
Taiarahia Black from Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi says the language needs to be at the heart of everything Maori Television does, and that means reflecting what is emerging with new generations of Maori.
"It can't be just purely entertainment all the time it has to be aspiration. What are the aspirations within the community to support it's language revitalisation programme. It's got to be respected, it's got to be relevant and it's got to give meaning to that community," says Professor Taiarahia Black.
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