Kaumatua keep marae media ban
Title -- 4279 NZ: Kaumatua keep marae media ban
Date -- 24 January 2004
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- New Zealand Herald 24/1/4
Copyright -- NZH
Status -- Unabridged
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KAUMATUA KEEP WAITANGI DAY MARAE MEDIA BAN
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=3545376&thesection=news&thesubsection=general
By Claire Trevett
AUCKLAND (NZ Herald Online/Pacific Media Watch): New Zealand's mainstream media will again be locked out of Te Tii Waitangi marae on Waitangi Day after Ngapuhi kaumatua decided to retain last year's controversial ban, the NZ Herald reports.
The media were banned last year with promises the kaumatua would revise the decision if they were satisfied the media coverage was fair and did not focus on disruption and protest.
However, yesterday Taumatua Kaumatua o Ngapuhi Nui-Tonu kaiarahi Dr Bruce Gregory said the kaumatua were obviously still unhappy with the media and had directed the ban be left in place. He did not specify what was wrong with last year's coverage but pointed to the history of reporting on the marae.
"It is basically a question of confidence and suspicion. It's not an easy one to get rid of."
Dr Gregory said Maori media outlets would be permitted to report on the discussions, which he expected would cover the seabed and foreshore.
He was not concerned that serious Maori issues discussed on the marae would go unreported.
"Most of it would be in te reo, and most of the media don't have that facility.
"There's no use unless you've got fluent te reo speakers."
The retention of the ban was described as unfortunate by Tai Tokerau MP Dover Samuels, who said he and Associate Maori Affairs Minister John Tamihere had advised Ngapuhi and the hosts at Te Tii "to get their acts together".
However, he said he understood the reason for the ban, saying things on the lower marae had been blown out of proportion by media, antagonising the kaumatua.
Dr Gregory did not expect massive protests on Waitangi Day but added there would "be some interesting groups there, no doubt".
"This year things have been rather low-key so far," he said. "It's almost like the ominous silence before the storm."
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