Hon Tau Henare MP
National Party Maori Affairs Spokesman

26 July 2007

Complaint laid with Speaker over Maori TV report

Maori Television’s screening of a debate in Parliament that never actually took place has outraged National Party Maori Affairs spokesman Tau Henare, who has laid a complaint with Speaker of the House, Margaret Wilson.

On Te Kaea last night, there was a report on Tariana Turia’s Private Member’s Bill on the Foreshore and Seabed, which portrayed a debate in Parliament among MPs, including Tau Henare, which never happened.

“Maori TV admits they pre-recorded the story, presuming a debate was to go ahead – if they had stuck around in the House with the rest of us MPs they would have realised it never happened!

“This is the epitome of unprofessional behaviour and does nothing to engender confidence in an MP’s right to fair representation in the media.

“Maori TV’s claim that the story was ‘lost in translation’ is a pathetic attempt to cover up a gross misrepresentation of the proceedings of the house and the MPs involved.

“I have this morning laid a complaint with the Hon Margaret Wilson as a matter of privilege.”

Letter of complaint to Speaker

26 July 2007

Hon Margaret Wilson MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives

1:019

PARLIAMENT HOUSE

Dear Speaker

Last night (Wednesday 25 July 2007) I was watching the Maori Television programme Te Kaea and noticed they had a story and report on Mrs Tariana Turia's Private Member's Bill, the Foreshore and Seabed Act (Repeal) Bill

The programme went on to portray a debate in the House of Representatives about the Foreshore and Seabed Act (Repeal) Bill which never actually took place.

In my opinion the story misrepresented not only the proceedings of the House but also the views of some members of the House of Representatives.

I refer this matter to you at the earliest convenience as a matter of privilege.

Yours sincerely

HON TAU HENARE MP

Spokesperson - Maori Affairs (Education)

Spokesperson - Maori Affairs (TPK)

ENDS

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