February 29, 2024
Potaka to fight for media putea
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says he’s willing to go to bat for Māori media.
Yesterday’s announcement TV3 owner Warner Brothers-Discovery will close its New Zealand news and current affairs operations, including NewsHub, has highlighted the vulnerability of media in the current commercial environment.
Labour’s Willie Jackson secured $51 million for Maori media in last year’s Budget through to 2026.
It’s now up to Minister Potaka to convince Finance Minister Nicola Willis to continue that support at a time the Government is demanding cuts of at least 6 percent in all ministries.
“What I am very cognisant of is the importance of Maori broadcasting to our reo, to our tikanga and to our communities and I will continue to fight for that,” he says.