The future of the country's first Maori radio station,
Te Upoko o Te Ika, is in limbo.
The trailblazing radio station
had a series of pilots in the early eighties,
but Te Upoko began broadcasting permanently in 1987.
Te Karere has confirmed its funding has been cut
because their licence to broadcast
is now held by mana whenua iwi Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa Rangatira.
For more, let's cross live now to reporter Irena Smith for more.
At present the station is running on reserve funds
and the lease on its building is due to expire in October
meaning the future of this taonga is uncertain.
Today, te reo Maori
can still be heard over the airwaves from Te Upoko o te Ika radio station
but their future is uncertain.
We are concerned.
Our operations have been affected
since our funding stopped on June 30.
There's not much left in our reserves.
Our staff are aware of the situation
and they are continuing to work,
but it has made things very difficult at the moment.
Funders Te Mangai Paho say their funding is being held
because they don't have a licence agreement
with the current licence holders, Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa,
to broadcast on their frequency.
Te Upoko board says
this issue has risen out of the governments changes to policy
where any broadcast licences are now to be handed back to iwi.
Our licence has been running fine for the last 30 years.
They have changed the policy
which means some licence holders are in and some are out.
That has cause major disruption in the running of the station.
Te Karere spoke to Wirangi Luke from Te Atiawa last week.
He told me they wanted to get around the table
with the trustees of Te Upoko to find a way forward.
Te Upoko has called for an urgent meeting next week.
We're meeting next week, and we've held hui in recent months.
We've invited iwi leaders to the next hui.
Other Maori radio stations are aware of the issue
and it has raised concerns.
I am calling on the funders Te Mangai Paho
to step in and help Te Upoko sort out the matter.
It's a very concerning issue.
Te Upoko o te Ika
has long been a staunch promoter of te reo Maori and waiata;
it's what they're known for.
That is why all parties want to sort the issue out
before it has any adverse effects.
The 11 staff of Te Upoko have been briefed
about the situation.
All have resolved to stick it out, but a resolution is needed quick
as funds and their lease will run out soon.
Scotty, this is certainly a worthy cause to support.
Irena Smith, thank you for your report.