PANUI PAPAHO/MEDIA STATEMENT
05 February 2004
MAORI TELEVISION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH DATE
Maori Television will go to air next month to take its place as a key promoter of Maori language and culture, and to
provide a window into the Maori world for all New Zealanders.
Maori Television will officially launch on Sunday 28 March 2004. The channel will broadcast seven days a week.
Maori Television Chairman Wayne Walden said the launch of Maori Television is the realisation of a long-held dream of
many Maori to have te reo Maori , an official language of this country, televised into the homes of all New Zealanders.
“We expect that the channel will be a strong contributor to the normalisation of te reo me nga tikanga Maori (Maori
language and culture). Maori Television has been designed to present a window to the Maori world and a Maori perspective
on the world.
“This is a new and exciting time in the history of New Zealand television. We know people have high expectations, and we
look forward to meeting those expectations by delivering a Maori television channel that is world class and celebrates
our uniqueness,” Mr Walden said.
Hone Harawira, Chairman of Te Putahi Paho (the Maori Electoral College), said his members are delighted the channel is
about to go to air.
“The survival and revitalisation of our language has always been our ultimate goal. This channel will be such an
important tool to ensure we achieve this,” he said.
ENDS