A Māori researcher says historical and contemporary media bias against Māori is a product of colonial capitalism.
Tina Ngata, whose 2019 book Kia Mau: Resisting Colonial Fictions included essays on media narratives and the imperial psyche, says big business in New Zealand has used the media to shape public narratives.
NZME – which owns the New Zealand Herald, 22 regional newspapers and multiple radio stations including Newstalk ZB, is chaired by Barbara Chapman, a staunch advocate for business interests.
“Over 70 percent of the shareholdings for NZME are affiliated with oil, metals and minerals extraction – which is very concerning. But the other part of that also is looking at the board, there’s also cross-interests with oil and gas, is the chair, also chairing Genesis Energy,” Ms Ngata says.
Tina Ngata says Barbara Chapman is also the deputy chair of the New Zealand Initiative – one of two New Zealand partners to the global anti-Indigenous, anti-climate-justice, Atlas Network.
