September 10, 2015
Commercial radio needs to embrace more waiata Maori.
The new chief executive of Te Taura Whiri says he wants all radio stations in Aotearoa to play te reo Maori songs.
Ngahiwi Apanui says his own journey in music has been about normalising the use of te reo Maori, and it’s also an area the Maori language commission has tried to support over the years.
But he says commercial radio has been reluctant to embrace songs with Maori content, which is why so few reach a wider audience.
"Radio in general in New Zealand, outside of Maori Radio really needs to get on to the kaupapa. I think as the chief executive of Te Taura Whiri that'll be one of the key focuses for us. Going to those organisations, building some relationships with them and trying to get them on the waka because we need all the help we can get" he says.
Ngahiwi Apanui says Te Taura Whiri has extended the application period for the latest round of Ma Te Reo funding for community language projects until next Monday to give people a chance to get to grips with the new online forms.
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