WITBC

WITBC '08 - Gala Dinner - Launch of "Te Reo"

2008-03-31T10:09:00.004+13:00

As well as being WITBC's closing event, the gala dinner included the first, live-to-air broadcast of "Te Reo"; celebrations for Māori Television's fourth birthday; and the presentation of Te Rerenga Tahi.
Māori Television's daily news programme, Te Kaea, broadcast live from the venue from 7.30 PM to 8.00 PM.
The entertainment included leading taonga puoro musicians; an indigenous fashion showcase; and New Zealand music icon, Ardijah.

WITBC '08 GALA DINNER AND LAUNCH OF "TE REO"

2008-03-28T17:05:00.005+13:00

Māori television's new Māori language channel, Te Reo, was officially launched at the gala dinner of WITBC '08. An hour long broadcast celebrated the event which began with cocktails in the foyer.

WITBC '08 Day Three - afternoon sessions

2008-03-28T16:45:00.003+13:00

The final afternoon began with the panel of CEO's from the indigenous broadcasting outlets represented at WITBC '08, reporting back on the development of the WITBN.
Auckland Girls' Grammar School kapa haka group "Kahurangi ki Maungawhau" stunned the audience with their style, creativity and grace.
It was back to business then with the announcement that Taiwan will host WITBC 10.
The Final Thoughts of Day Three were led by the WITBC '08 Ambassador, Sir Paul Reeves.
"Many Hands", the multicultural musical extravangza finished off the afternoon with a rousing performance - and Māori Television Chairman, Garry Muriwai, closed the conference.

WITBC '08 Day Three - late morning session

2008-03-28T13:38:00.002+13:00

The second morning session of Day Three of WITBC '08 featured Margaret Mary Murray, the head of the Gaelic Digital Service, BBC Scotland.
She spoke of the BBC's role in indigenous affairs and how the organisation's committment to revitalising the indigenous culture and language.

WITBC '08 Day Three - Fri 28 March - Morning Session

2008-03-28T11:19:00.004+13:00

The third and final day of WITBC '08 began with comments from the Hon Parekura Horomia, Minister of Māori Affairs talking on the Government's Māori Language Strategy.
Patricia Turner, CEO of NITV Australia then spoke about a new era for indigenous Australia with the advent of NITV.
DZIAH then entertained the crowd with some stylish dance moves.
A man with moves of his own was Dr Saul Berman, Global Strategy Leader. Media and Entertainment Industry, IBM Global Business Services. He spoke on the convergence of new and old media and the conflict for traditional broadcasters in that mix.

WITBC '08 Day Three - Dawn Ceremony - Te Reo Launch

2008-03-28T08:13:00.004+13:00

The dawn ceremony officially launching Māori Television's new channel "Te Reo" began at 5.00 am at their studios in Newmarket, Auckland.
Several international WITBC delegates were welcomed, along with local dignitaries and kaumatua. The Hon Parekura Horomia, Minister of Māori Affairs, Tūwhakairiora Williams, Chairman Te Pūtahi Pāoho and Garry Muriwai, Board Chairman, Māori Television unveiled the plaque.
The skies were sunny, the morning warm and auspiciously clear.

WITBC '08 Day Two - Thu 27 March - Late Afternoon Session

2008-03-28T07:42:00.002+13:00

The second afternoon session began with the Te Puni Kōkiri Native Affairs Panel - The Great Audience Debate. Hosted by Julian Wilcox, the debate featured John Walter Jones, Glenda Wynyard, Shaun Broan and Leith Comer.
The question for the debate centred around what is the ideal balance between good ratings and making programmes that revitalise the language.
Final Thoughts of the Day were led by Julian Wilcox Amohaere Houkamau.

WITBC '08 Day Two - Thu 27 March - Afternoon Session

2008-03-27T13:50:00.005+13:00

Lunchtime during the second day was taken up with various breakout events. A number of delegates took the time to tour through Māori Television studios in Newmarket, Auckland while those organisatios with news and current affairs departments attended a workshop looking at setting up an indigenous news hub.
Māori Television's CEO Jim Mather hosted a CEO's Lunch where a number of issues were worked through for the development of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Network.
The afternoon session got underway with Sylvia Feng, the president and Chief Executive of PTS in Taiwan talking about 'Getting it Right' in terms of independence, identity and voice.
Entertainer Timua Brennan gave the delegates a musical taste of Aotearoa, which was followed by Pol O Gallchoir, the CEO of TG4, Ireland.
TG4 became independent just over a year ago, and Pol talked about the issues the broadcaster has faced in the past year and the strategies in place to ensure its survival.

WITBC '08 Day Two - Thu 27 March - second Morning Session

2008-03-27T11:26:00.002+13:00

Jim Mather, CEO, Māori Television, talked about striving for success. In just four years, Māori Television has overcome initial skepticism to become a successful, respected broadcaster, appealing to both Māori and non Māori. He talked about some of the strategies and critical success factors behind that success.
Jim was interviewed by Willie Jackson, CEO of UMA Broadcasting.
This was followed by an address from Shaun Brown, CEO, SBS Australia. Formerly head of TVNZ, Shaun shared his views on the role of mainstream public broadcasters in supporting indigenous broadcasting. He also tackled the thorny issue of the commercial imperative in public service television.

WITBC '08 Day Two - Thu 27 March - Morning Session

2008-03-27T10:18:00.002+13:00

Tuwhakairiora Williams, Chairman of Te Pūtahi Paoho opened the second day of the conference with a look at the Māori Television governance model.
He was followed by Jean LaRose, CEO of APTN in Canada. APTN is only eight years old but Kean LaRose is targetting the kind of growth that would see it reconised as Canada's fourth national broadcaster by its 10th anniversary. He outlined some of the strategies he is employing to reach this goal.

WITBC '08 Day One - Wed 26 March - Late Afternoon Session

2008-03-27T08:11:00.005+13:00

"Leading the Pack" was the title of keynote speaker John Walter Jones address. The Chairman of S4C in Wales, the station has just celebrated 25 years on air. He provided an insight into the model that has assured the success and longevity of one of the world's oldest indigenous broadcasters.
His speech was followed by an address from Jim Mather, the CEO of Māori Television. He introduced the concept of the World Indigenous Television Broadcasting Network - a key outcome of WITBC '08.

At 5.00 PM, KORDIA hosted a cocktail event in the Great Hall for delegates and invited guests

WITBC '08 Day One - Wed 26 March - Afternoon Session

2008-03-26T14:54:00.004+13:00

The afternoon began with an inspiring keynote address from Judge Joe Williams (Chairperson Waitangi Tribunal, Chief Judge Māori Land Court) on "Reclaiming The Future".
The session also featured an interview with Tina Wickliffe, Political Reporter, Māori Television.
Delegates were then entertained by Tama Waipara.
Simon Molaudzi, Head of South African Broadcasting Corporation's Education Unit, then took the podium to lead a session on the South African Experience.
With 11 official languages and the complexites of post-apartheid society, he explained how the public broadcaster is delivering to its vision for total citizen empowerment.

WITBC'08 - Day One - Wed 26 March - Morning Session

2008-03-26T12:35:00.005+13:00

The conference kicked off in fine style with a set from one of New Zealand's most celebrated entertainment groups, Moana and the Tribe. Julian Wilcox (MC) took to the stage to formally welcome the Conference Patron Dr Huirangi Waikerepuru.
Garry Muriwai, Māori Television's Chairman, then gave the welcome address.
The morning session concluded with the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon Dr Michael Cullen's opening address.
He talked about the New Zealand government's committment to indigeneous development and the role of television in that development.

Pōwhiri

2008-03-26T10:12:00.005+13:00

The traditional Māōri welcome was performed by the mana whenua of Tāmaki-makau-rau. The visitors (manuhiri) assembled outside the main foyer and were welcomed in.
Mercifully, the weather held and it was a magnificent occasion on a beautiful Auckland morning.

2008-03-25T12:30:00.001+13:00

Keep up to date with all the latest event pictures, videos and notes from WITBC '08 - so keep coming back! as these pages will be updated regularly.