Māori Television

Māori Television is a New Zealand TV station broadcasting programmes that make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of "Te Reo" and tikanga Māori.

Twentieth-century broadcasting in Māori was provided by various New Zealand TV stations until Māori Television, a station funded by the New Zealand Government, started broadcasting on 28 March 2004, based in the inner-Auckland suburb of Newmarket.

Highlights of its history

 * 28 March 2004 - opening day (a highlight of human history)
 * 1 August 2005 -- English subtitles for the late-evening repeats of the main News broadcasts


 * April 2006 - ANZAC Day 17-hour special, watched in many countries
 * November 2006 - 581,900 unique viewers for the month

Mission
To revitalise Māori language and culture through broadcasting.

Maori Television Service Act 2003
The relevant legislation, the Maori Television Service Act 2003 says "The principal function of the Service is to promote te reo Maori me nga tikanga Maori through the provision of a high quality, cost-effective Maori television service, in both Maori and English, that informs, educates, and entertains a broad viewing audience, and, in doing so, enriches New Zealand's society, culture, and heritage".

The Act defines the responsibilities of these groups:
 * Government
 * Te Putahi Paoho (Maori Electoral College)

Programming

 * Māori classics: Prince Tui Teka and Billy T James
 * Feature films (some being repeated):
 * Mauri
 * Never Say Die
 * Ngati
 * Ruby and Rata
 * Utu
 * The Quiet Earth
 * ShortEnz: a compilation of New Zealand short films made between 1970 and 2002

Membership
There are seven members of the Board of Directors. Crown appointees are Wayne Walden, Wena Tait, and Rod Cornelius. Te Pūtahi Pāoho appointees are Craig Soper, Garry Muriwai, Amohaere Houkamau and Leonie Pihama.

Committees
There are two standing committees The Audit Committee and the Remuneration Committee. Members of the Audit Committee are Garry Muriwai, Amohaere Houkamau, and Craig Soper. Members of the Remuneration Committee are Wayne Walden, Wena Tait, and Rod Cornelius.

Executive Team

 * Chief Executive: Jim Mather
 * GM Operations: Barry Russ
 * GM Finance and Administration: Alan Withrington
 * GM Reo & Programming: Tawini Rangihau
 * GM Sales: Marketing and Communication: Sonya Haggie

Reference

 * Māori Television Site 2006 Retrieved Feb. 20 2006