Raewyn Rasch Appointed TVNZ's General Manager, Māori and Pacific Programmes
TVNZ has appointed Raewyn Rasch to the position of GM, Māori and Pacific Programmes.
Rasch has been acting in the role of GM since January this year, and has a long history in broadcast journalism and
production at TVNZ, as well as at Radio New Zealand, CTV, and TV3. At TVNZ, she has been the Executive Producer of both Fair Go and Seven Sharp, and Programme Producer for Marae Investigates.
TVNZ’s Head of News and Current Affairs, John Gillespie, says that Rasch brings a lot of experience and skill to the
role. “Raewyn has done a great job for the Māori and Pacific department already this year, and I know the team values
her as a leader. I have worked with her for a number of years and I know the dedication she has, so I’m delighted she is
taking up the position of GM.”
Rasch sees the role as the perfect opportunity foster and develop Te Reo Māori for a wide audience, and is proud to lead
a team that mixes New Zealand’s most experienced producers with exciting new talent.
She says; “It’s an absolute honour to be able to represent both my Māori and Samoan heritage and to work with people who
are incredibly passionate about Te Reo and Pacific culture. Our programmes provide a touch point for all New Zealanders
to share the richness of our cultures and Māori and Pacific perspectives. Recent Statistics NZ research shows that 75%
of Māori engage with their culture through television - this shows how important Māori broadcasting is.”
As Acting GM she has recently overseen an exciting new initiative to engage audiences around the Pacific. From this
weekend, Tagata Pasifika will be broadcast live on the Pacific Service giving audiences across the Islands an opportunity to engage with the
programme and with New Zealand viewers via social media.
Rasch is Māori, German-Samoan and Irish, hailing from Pounamu country in South Westland, and her hapu is Ngāti (Kāti)
Māhaki ki Makaawhio - a hapu of Ngāi Tahu.
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