Maori TV to host world-first conference (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Maori TV to host world-first conference

By MERVYN DYKES - Manawatu Standard | Monday, 30 July 2007
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4146353a8153.html

Maori Television will host the first World Indigenous Television
Broadcasting Conference in Auckland on March 26-28 next year.

The conference is expected to bring together about 300 of the world's top
indigenous broadcasters from countries such as Ireland, Canada, Wales,
Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.

It will also see the presentation of an inaugural lifetime achievement award
and the launch of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters' Network.

"The purpose of the network will be to promote indigenous broadcasting at
the highest level internationally and to foster closer relationships
between broadcasters," said Maori TV general manager of sales and marketing
Sonya Haggie yesterday.

"It will encourage joint venture productions, programme sharing and resource
development. The conference will be a significant milestone in the
development of indigenous television broadcasting and language and culture
revitalisation." She said Maori TV wanted to establish the conference as a
prestigious and permanent international event.

The conference patron will be Huirangi Waikerepuru, a leading Maori academic
and an original supporter of the establishment of a Maori television
channel.

Its ambassador will be former Governor-General Sir Paul Reeves, whom Ms
Haggie described as being "notable for his services to our country and his
tireless work in indigenous communities around the world." The conference
theme would be "reclaiming the future of indigenous languages, cultures and
identities". "For the first time ever, the world's leading indigenous
broadcasters will gather in one place to share, discuss, debate, challenge,
inspire and motivate."