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TV2 believes that it is fulfilling its charter obligations to Maori though crime-fighting reality series Police Ten-7, the New Zealand Herald reports. Television New Zealand chief executive Rick Ellis listed Ten-7 among TV2 shows that offered “participation of Maori” and a “significant Maori voice” on air.
Ten-7 host Detective Inspector Graham Bell praised the show’s Maori participation rate in a statement at the show’s website. “I started to lose count of arrests when we hit 200,” he wrote, “A big part of that success belongs to the viewers who constantly call in with vital information ... it’s not uncommon for police to have the leads they are looking for within minutes of their items airing.”
Added Inspector Bell, “Tips to the phone line have helped police identify and arrest murderers, rapists, and other violent offenders.”
The show’s reality format means that Maori from all over New Zealand can easily get on the show—and many are happy to take TV2 and police up on the offer.
Mr Ellis also listed TV One sports quiz Game of Two Halves as offering Maori perspectives, in this case through comedian Mike King.
“Mike joins in the mayhem with radio funny man Martin Devlin and your favourite sporting icons for an hysterical take on the sporting week,” Mr Ellis told The Daily Grind. “The Maori perspective? Hilarity.”
Over the 12 months to March, TVNZ aired 235 hours of programming in the Maori language, but it seemed like longer.
