AUCKLAND (Pacific Islands Media Association/Pacific Media Watch): Pasifika communities will gather in Auckland tonight to discuss concerns about Television New Zealand’s outsourcing of popular programmes such as Tagata Pasifika and Fresh.
TVNZ chief executive Kevin Kenrick has agreed to meet with the communities, the producers from the affected shows, Pasifika film and TV broadcasters and representatives from both the Labour and National parties.
The special fono, organised by the Pacific Islands Media Association (PIMA), is a response to TVNZ’s plans to cease in-house production of Pasifika and Māori content. A fortnight ago the broadcaster announced it would instead tender the production of these programmes to outside companies.
PIMA deputy chair Adrian Stevanon said in a statement to Pacific Media Watch the fono gave Pasifika communities a chance to have their say.
Since Tagata Pasifika began in 1987, it has been based within TVNZ’s Māori Programmes Unit. Each year it has contributed a portion of its annual funding from NZ On Air to pay for overheads and costs associated with being a part of TVNZ.
It is also broadcast throughout the Pacific region through TVNZ’s Pacific services where it has a loyal following among regional audiences.
Fresh, produced by Lisa Taouma, has made its mark successfully on Pasifika youth culture and it recently branched out into online territory with Coconet (thecoconet.tv).
Despite inroads made by the two shows, PIMA's Stevanon said there was still a lack of Pasifika content on screen.
“We’re also concerned that Palagi production companies are hoping to tender for their funding as well. Will they hire Pasifika staff just to fit the tender criteria? We need to ensure any RFPs deal with those issues,” said Stevanon.
The Pasifika fono will be held at the Fickling Convention Centre, at 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings, tonight beginning at 6.30pm.
PIMA organises fono to discuss TVNZ plan
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Pacific Media Watch
