Maoris 'always seem to be doing wrong’

Press, 20 March 1982, Page 12

Maoris 'always seem to be doing wrong’

PA Rotorua Maoris, as they were often reported in the newspapers, "always seem to be doing things wrong, and don't seem to do anything right." the Race Relations Conciliator, Mr Hiwi Tauroa, told journalists on the Awahou marae, Ngongotaha. “I- think you have such tremendous power in establishing good relations in our country,” said Mr Tauroa. “New Zealand is so rich in goodwill, and the Maori people are working so hard to bring people together, but so often all we see is what we are doing wrong.” Members of the Journalists’ Training Board and others were welcomed on to the marae by members of the Ngati-Rangiwewehi tribe. The board has attempted in the last few years to encourage Maori students to take up journalism. As a result, increasing but still small numbers of Maoris are obtaining jobs as journalists on newspapers throughout New Zealand.

"This is an opportunity for members of the board, their wives, and other people from the newspaper industry to experience something of Maori life first-hand.” said Mr G. R. Wilson, the board's secretary. ■ Mr Tauroa said the Maori people could be blamed for not telling the news media about the good things they were doing, particularly on maraes. One local body councillor had recently referred to maraes as “booze bams.” That reflected a complete lack of knowledge, but the phrase was picked up by some newspapers and headlined, said Mr Tauroa. "It is our custom not to publicise the cultural and educational programmes on our maraes, but I am sure we should make more fuss about these things, and try to ensure that every marae has an effective link with the news media, he said. “But how can we expect good publicity when we don't tell anyone what is happening?” he said.