May 30, 2022
Iwi radio upset purse strings become puppet strings
Māori and iwi radio operators are bristling at the continued domination of the sector by broadcast funding agency Te Māngai Pāho.
Sector umbrella group Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Irirangi Reo Māori met the agency last week to discuss the $40m increase for Māori media in the Budget, including $12 million for iwi radio.
Chair Peter Lucas Jones says it seems the spending decisions have already been made.
“We do not need to be told by Te Māngai Pāho how that money is going to be spent. What we need to do is have a rangatira ki te rangatira conversation with Te Māngai Pāho and talk about the areas that need resourcing now so that we are not resourced to fail,” he says.
Mr Jones says the funding seems to be about Te Māngai Pāho’s pet projects rather than what the industry professionals determine should be the priorities.