Maori Language Radio Band Sought

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 16

Maori Language Radio Band Sought

(Neio Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 21. A special organisation known as the Maori Language Broadcasting Corporation Preparatory Committee has asked the Broadcasting Authority to reserve a radio band for a station broadcasting entirely in the Maori language.

The secretary of the committee is Mr L. Richards, of Te Kaha, near Opotiki. The members are Mr E. Manuera, the Rev. J. Tamahore, Messrs N. O. Vickridge, P. Maurunga, W. Nepia, W. Tawhai, R. Paora, M. Walker and T. Taylor. In a letter to the authority, Mr Richards said the committee at the moment had only the most tentative of plans and was considering the many problems of setting up and running such a station. It felt that this was probably an appropriate time to make the request that a band should be reserved for a Polynesian-language station. The aims of the present committee were to encourage the use of the Maori language, to promote the recognition of Maori as New Zealand’s second language, and

to investigate all means of helping the language, in particular the setting up and running of a broadcasting station. ‘The committee has no monetary gain in mind,” said Mr Richards. “It is investigating as its first preference the setting up of a non-profit making corporation, but running as a commercial station might be necessary to finance the enterprise. “Should there be support from speakers of other Polynesian, languages living in New Zealand the aims and programmes would be widened to include them,” be said. “Should the N.Z.B.C. extend its coverage to include a station broadcasting solely in Maori this committee would be most happy to grant to them any band assigned by the authority.”