Procedure for Assessing the Potential Use of Radio Spectrum for the Promotion of Māori Language and Culture

Radio Spectrum and Broadcasting Policy Group

2 May 2002 (ARCHIVED)

Tēnā koutou katoa

The Ministry has produced a draft paper setting out a procedure for assessing whether radio spectrum should be reserved for the promotion of Māori language and culture. Copies of the paper were sent out to number of Māori stakeholder organisations on 16 April 2002. The Ministry of Economic Development now seeks wider comment from Māori on the paper.

The paper has been prepared by the Ministry in consultation with Te Puni Kōkiri and the Crown Law Office, after a meeting of the Cabinet Business Committee on 19 December 2001 which:

"13.1 agreed that Ministers consider whether further spectrum should be reserved for promotion of Māori language and culture on a case-by-case basis, in the light of the range of initiatives and opportunities the Government has previously provided;

13.2 agreed that the Ministry of Economic Development, in consultation with Māori stakeholders, should report back to FIN by 30 June 2002 on how best to make the case-by-case assessments agreed to in paragraph 13.1, taking into account the Crown's obligation to promote Māori language and culture;"

Circulation of this paper is the first step in meeting the Ministry's obligation to consult with Māori stakeholders before reporting back to Cabinet by 30 June 2002, as required under recommendation 13.2.

The second step is to meet with Māori stakeholders who express an interest in discussing the paper face to face with Ministry officials. The Ministry intends to hold two or three workshops at Te Puni Kōkiri offices around the country. The location of the workshops will be chosen according to where most interested stakeholders are based.

The workshops will be held over the week commencing Monday 20 May 2002 (this date is one week later than the date of 13 May 2002 originally advised to Māori stakeholders). If you are interested in attending a workshop, please contact Rita Lysaght at the Ministry of Economic Development (phone 04-474 2648, PO Box 1473 Wellington, or email: rita.lysaght@med.govt.nz) to register your interest by Friday 10 May 2002.

If you simply wish to make a written submission on the draft paper, the closing date for submissions is 31 May 2002. Submissions should be addressed to:

Padraig McNamara

Ministry of Economic Development

PO Box 1473

WELLINGTON

padraig.mcnamara@med.govt.nz