Senior Appointments Boost Maori Television News

5 July 2005

Senior Appointments Boost Maori Television News

Maori Television has announced the appointment of three of Maoridom’s most experienced senior news journalists.

Rereata Makiha (Ngapuhi, Te Arawa), Rau Kapa (Ngapuhi, Te Aupouri) and Gideon Porter (Ngapuhi, Ngai Tuhoe) are to join the Maori Television news and current affairs staff, boosting the editorial management team to what is arguably the most experienced Maori news team in New Zealand.

Rereata Makiha has 20 years’ experience as a reporter, news editor, director and presenter. He has held senior positions at TVNZ’s Te Karere and Marae programmes, and has extensive radio news experience, having held senior reporting and news editor positions at Mana News Service and Ruia Mai.

Mr Makiha joins Maori Television as Trainer responsible for providing specialist training and support to Maori Television’s news and current affairs team.

“After 20 or so years at the frontline of the media, in both daily and hourly news reporting, I think it’s time for me to pass some of the skill base on to the younger ones,” said Mr Makiha. “There is an urgent need for the provision of this training in the Maori media environment, particularly in terms of crafting of stories and usage of te reo Maori.”

Mr Makiha commences his new role on 1 August 2005.

Rau Kapa joins Maori Television as News Producer for Te Kaea. He has 10 years’ experience in journalism, having previously worked as a senior journalist at TVNZ’s Te Karere news programme. He joins Maori Television from the Radio Waatea national Maori news service, where he has held the position of Chief Editor.

Mr Kapa also has 25 years’ experience in the public service where he has held a range of management and advisory positions and developed strong leadership skills.

“I am elated to be joining Maori Television. As news producer I will work closely with the team to deliver stories the audience wants to see in a style of te reo Maori that engages the audience. I’ll be looking to ensure that our stories are well researched, that they are analysed for the key theme and are concise. Simplicity sharpens the story,” said Mr Kapa, who commences his new role on 18 July 2005.

Gideon Porter has nearly 20 years’ experience in both mainstream and Maori media. He spent four years early in his career at Mana Maori Media and the majority of his career at Radio New Zealand, TV3’s 3 News and TVNZ’s One News. He is widely recognised for his achievements as a Maori journalist working within the mainstream environment.

Mr Porter joins Maori Television from TVNZ where he has worked as Specialist Correspondent on Maori issues for One News. While his career in journalism has seen him specialise in coverage of Maori issues, Mr Porter has also worked as an Industrial, Police and Crime, Court, Health, Education, Local Authority and Sports reporter. He comes to Maori Television well prepared for his role as Producer of Te Heteri, Maori Television’s weekly current affairs programme.

"I am looking forward to helping further develop Maori Television's reputation for innovative and insightful programming on all aspects of Maori current affairs, news, events and issues,” he said.

"I, like thousands of other Maori, have watched with great pride the birth of Mâori Television and its continued evolvement and development as the country's leader in programmes that reflect a Maori perspective on New Zealand society - which I believe is bringing greater understanding, and wider comprehension among all community sectors of the way Maori live, and the way we view the world." Mr Porter commences his new role on 22 August 2005.

An internal promotion at Maori Television also sees the appointment of Anzac Pikia to News Producer, Te Kaea. Mr Pikia joined Maori Television as a reporter prior to its launch in March 2004 and was promoted to Associate Producer in January 2005. His latest promotion is indicative of his capability, enthusiasm and work ethic, and of Maori Television’s commitment to developing staff.

Head of News and Current Affairs, Te Anga Nathan, said the new appointments were aimed at ensuring the ongoing development of Maori Television’s news and current affairs service.

“Te Kaea and Te Heteri have been operating under strength for some time primarily due to the lack of experienced Maori journalists fluent in te reo Maori. Rereata, Rau and Gideon bring a wealth of knowledge and skill, which will be passed on to our primarily young news team to help them to develop into highly skilled journalists,” he said.

“These appointments, together with the skills already in place, positions us well to further develop our team and to provide our viewers with the leading Maori news service in Aotearoa,” he said.

ENDS

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