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National | Te Reo Māori

Te Mātāwai meet Māori Broadcasters

New chair of Te Mātāwai Te Waihoroi Shortland says it's up to broadcasters themselves to come up with what they want when it comes to the revitalisation of the Māori Language.

Shortland says "That's our principal purpose to empower you to make the change as necessary, it's not our job to piggyback every need out there. We're gonna do it better when you're doing the work for yourself and that's the message not only to broadcasters but to iwi."

Māori broadcasters met with Te Mātāwai at the 20th birthday celebrations of Ngā Aho Whakaari.

Te Mātāwai representatives Waihoroi Shortland, Willie Jackson and Scotty Morrison were at Auckland University’s Waipapa Marae discussing the way forward with Māori broadcasters.

Scotty Morrison says “The responsibility I've been given is to carry their aspirations and how I can make those a reality. So my role is to go to Ngā Aho Whakaari and the Māori radio stations and collate their thoughts and take those to Te Mātāwai and discuss it with the board.

Te Mātāwai is the new board responsible for the revitalisation of the Māori Language.

Waihoroi Shortland says Māori broadcasters need to have their own plans for the language and for Te Mātāwai to refine the plan if needed.

Shortland says “The biggest challenge I put forward is don't think Te Mātāwai will be preparing your strategies, you tell us what you want for the language and we'll meet with the Government to discuss the financials for broadcasting and the implementation of the language. Then they'll tell us what to cut and where to implement the language. When that's done, we'll head back to the Māori broadcasters and give the recommendations needed for the benefit of the language.”

Te Mātāwai are expected to appoint a Chief Executive Officer and set up an executive group of board members who will deal directly with Cabinet Ministers by the end of the year.