Controversy expected in race debate series

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 21

Controversy expected in race debate series

Much social debate in New Zealand is centred on Maori-pakeha relations, and in recognition of this, Television New Zealand’s Maori Programmes department is producing a new discussion programme which uses studio audience involvement to widen the debate on particular issues.

The programme, "Te Kupenga” (The Net), screens in the established current affairs slot on One at 9.30 p.m. on Sundays, beginning tomorrow. The producer, Talnui Stephens, outlines the format: ‘“Te Kupenga’ is a follow-on from ‘Nga Take Maori,’ and the idea is that each week Hone Kaa will present an opinion along with an invited guest before a studio audience of 20. “The audience will include eight or nine people, who are known to hold definite opinions or points of view on the subject under discussion.” The programme is expected to be controversial, and the guest list should give some idea as to the kind of debate which will take place. The guest on the first programme, on biculturalism, will be Race Rela-

tions Conciliator, Wally Hirsch, and the audience members will include Pat Hunt, Louisa Crawley, Eru Potaka-Dewes and Bishop Bruce Gilbert.

Successive programmes will feature Deputy Police Commissioner John Jamieson, Simon Lockart, Q.C., Geoffrey Palmer and Bob Jones. Audience members have been chosen for their sense of conviction about what they do and believe. In the programmes recorded so far, opinions have run hot Stephens recalls the scene before the recording of the very first programme: "We had a situation where the guests were being welcomed before we went into the studio, and the difference of opinions stood out so starkly that we had to physically keep some of the guests apart, seating them at separate tables when we all had a cup of tea.

“We could be criticised for choosing hoary subjects to talk about, but they are, nevertheless, important ones. We don’t necessarily design to resolve or find a solution to problems but try to create a sense of awareness in the viewers.”