Review of the Maori Television Service Act 2003: A ... - Te Puni Kokiri

Neither the Mäori language plan, nor the Statement of Intent defines how this is to beachieved. The mere act of broadcasting does not ‘strengthen’ a language. To meet this goalalso means ‘protection’ of the language by:• Addressing the concerns of specific language domains• Catering for the specific language needs of specific audiences• Regeneration and revitalisation of vocabulary and idiom• Elimination of recurring grammatical errors on air• Considered development of both conversational and formal language• Exemplification of karanga, möteatea, whaikörero, pao• Intention to refresh tribal dialects• Adherence of MTS staff to a Mäori speaking culture• Creating tikanga based broadcasting that reflects Mäori tribal customs.The panel believes MTS should craft a more comprehensive and linguistically secure languageplan. This would necessitate the creation of stand-alone implementation plans and outcomesfor the Statement of Intent.Central Mäori Language Broadcasting PlanThe Mäori Television Service does not work in isolation with its efforts on behalf of te reoMäori.There are many entities in the broadcasting industry with their own Mäori languagestrategies. These frameworks endeavor to align with the government’s overarching MäoriLanguage Strategy. For the most part the overall aims and objectives of these plans aresimilar. But there are enough differences in substance and execution which give rise to thelikely benefits of a central over-arching Mäori language plan for broadcasting. A morestreamlined approach will enable better focus and application on issues of common interest.Such a central Mäori broadcasting language plan could be:• Cognisant of the goals set out in the Government’s Mäori language strategymonitored by Te Puni Kökiri• Cognisant of the Mäori language focus of the Te Mängai Päho funding framework• Synchronous with the Mäori language quality standards of the Mäori LanguageCommission2626