Kairīpoata Māori from across the media sector have spoken out on the closure of Newshub, with many saying the proposed discontinuation of its news branch is one less media outlet where aspiring Māori journalists can grow.
In a statement, Kawea Te Rongo Māori Journalist Association co-chairperson Ripeka Timutimu said Newshub's demise could further hinder an already struggling Māori media industry.
"We have always had to pivot — adaptation is not new for us — but as our numbers and platforms dwindle, the number of Māori in the sector does too, having wider implications on the stories, narratives and diversity of coverage."
Speaking to Te Karere on the matter, Mihingarangi Forbes, who worked for multiple news and current affairs shows under the 3 News/Newshub banner, said the collapse gives less of a chance for Māori to learn and grow amid a mainstream media environment.
"I te wā i tīmata au i teihana tuatoru, e kaha ana rātou ki te tono atu ki a mātou ngā kairīpoata Māori, ngā mea i ako ana i TVNZ i te wā i tīmata ai a Te Karere nā te mea… he rerekē ngā pūkenga o te kairīpoata Māori (When I began working at TV3, they sought out those of us Māori journalist who were at TVNZ around the time Te Karere first began because Māori journalists were skilled in a different way).
"Kua ngaro tētahi wāhi ako mō tātou (A learning place has been lost)."
With TVNZ potentially becoming the sole provider of mainstream television news content, Kawea Te Rongo executive member and Aukaha News producer Kereama Wright said there is less opportunity for Māori journalists to be able to tell te ao Māori stories to mainstream audiences.
"Katahi anō tātou ka kite i te ātaahua o te haere a Mike McRoberts, me tana tomo i tōna ao Māori (We've just seen the beauty of Mike McRoberts' personal journey into reclaiming his Māori heritage)," said Wright.
"Ināianei, kua kore tēnei tūāpapa e whakaputa ai e ia i tana Māoritanga (Now there is no platform for him to express his Māori identity)."
With Newshub expected to close its services by late June, now is the time to act on a development strategy for Māori journalists, said Wright.
"He huarahi pea tēnei mā tāua, mā ngā ratonga [pāpāho] Māori, mā ngā reo irirangi Māori rānei ki te whakawhanake i a tātou anō, kia rere tonu ngā kairīpoata Māori, otirā, ngā pūrongo Māori ki te ao whānui (Perhaps this is an opportunity for our Māori broadcasting services or Māori radio stations to develop ourselves, so that we continue producing Māori journalists, and in turn, our stories to the world)."
Glossary
kairīpoata – reporter, journalist
Kawea Te Rongo – Māori Journalists Association
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