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| New Māori and Pacific television programming commissioning move for TVNZ
leaves many in industry "shocked and questioning". Image: TEARA |
Independent filmmakers fear a slow erosion of Māori and Pacific content at Television New Zealand has begun.
Their fears have emerged after the role of commissioner for Māori and Pacific programmes was removed from a full-time commissioning role in recent restructuring by TVNZ.
The move has left some within the film and television industry shocked and questioning whether it is ignorance or arrogance.
“Given that we are an increasing demographic, this seems like a mad racist move,” said Joanna Paul (Ngai te Rangi), an independent television producer who was one of the pioneers of the Māori Television Service.
“That TVNZ considers this a part-time job is arrogant and ignorant enough, but given there is more Māori and Pacific programming on air than ever before beggars belief,” Paul said.
