The former chair of the Māori Media Sector Shift panel says a lack of workforce development is a major risk for the sector.
Jason Ake says there’s consensus the industry needs to pivot to survive in a world where linear broadcasting is in its death throes and audiences are getting their news and current affairs in the digital realm.
He says a hui on Friday organised by Whakaata Maori was a positive start, as Maori media needs to set the course for its future, not politicians, but the elephant in the room was workforce.
“The numbers coming through the training modules aren’t what they used to be and so what we have seen in the last 10 years, maybe even 15 years, Maori media entities for example poaching each other’s staff. Will that continue? I’m not sure but we’ve got to be a lot more sensible about the way we develop a workforce in this space,” Mr Ake says.
Collaboration is also critical, as can be seen with the way major Te Matatini hui at Turangawaewae at the weekend was covered by Whakaata Maori in collaboration with smaller regional news hubs.
