Maori TV report should be made public
National Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich is calling for the release of the independent report into the best
frequency option for the Maori Television Channel.
The Ernst and Young report carried out last year has been completed but has not been made public.
“The recent decision to split state-owned BCL from TVNZ indicates the Government’s desire that its first option for
Maori TV is that it use BCL’s frequencies. Using the outdated BCL frequencies will mean certain failure for Maori TV.
“The question is why is the one independent report that has been done on this not being put on the table? This report
should be released so that Parliament can look at it and make their decisions in an informed way.
“Maori TV has been surrounded in controversy from the start, with the John Davy saga, plans for plush offices with
Americas Cup views and problems with the tendering process.
“More than $50 million of taxpayers’ money has been wasted on Maori TV in the past three years and it is still nowhere
near getting off the ground.
“This report should be made public because all taxpayers have a stake in Maori TV, whether they agree with the project
or not,” says Mrs Rich.