TG4 and Whakaata M?ori are delighted to announce the signing of a Relationship Agreement aimed at fostering a strategic partnership to uphold common values and achieve shared outcomes through the exchange of resources, knowledge, and services. This landmark agreement, signed at the 45th Celtic Media Festival in Cardiff, represents a major milestone in enhancing the connection between the M?ori and Irish-speaking communities.
Alan Esslemont, TG4’s Director General, said; “TG4 was recently honoured to have the Aotearoa/ New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland, Trevor Mallard, as a guest at Gradam Ceoil TG4 in Limerick and we are now delighted to strengthen our ties with Whakaata M?ori, the M?ori television service. Within the history of global colonisation, the Irish people have been both the ‘dispossessed’ and the ‘dispossessors’ and I believe that we have much to discover from the experiences and world-view of the M?ori people. The parallels are evident to me between te reo M?ori and an Ghaeilge, their communities of speakers and their revitalisation efforts. In addition, TG4 and Irish media strategy can learn much from media policies concerning M?ori broadcasting and other Aotearoa/New Zealand media.”
Shane Taurima, Whakaata M?ori Kaihaut? said; “This new partnership signals another important step for Whakaata M?ori in collaborating with broadcasters worldwide who share a mission of promoting language and culture. Our role is more pivotal than ever in contributing to the normalisation of our languages and cultures and ultimately their survival for future generations. I am excited about the opportunities that this alliance with TG4 presents - bringing creative minds together to find enduring solutions that will raise the status of the M?ori and Irish languages and cultures, and create content that inspires our audiences.”
