Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Election time is a busy time for broadcasters.
They need to ask all the hard questions
and report on all the important issues.
However, the most important job may be to get the candidates talking,
which is exactly what Maori radio stations are doing.
This is Ngati Porou radio station - the first voice of the rising sun.
There are four iwi radio stations in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate
with a big challenge ahead of them
in encouraging Maori to get out and vote.
Ngati Porou Radio will provide informative
and political perspectives so that voters can make informed decisions
about whether how they will vote.
Lines are running hot at all of the iwi radio stations,
but what is the big issue for the voters listening in?
The big issue of the day
is the oil spills and it's effect on our foreshore and seabed.
That's why the environment is a hot topic.
A big worry for our people is that there will be no crayfish,
kina and paua for the Xmas table.
It's had a big effect on our food source.
But how are the candidates faring?
The three lead candidates are all from Ngati Porou -
Horomia, Raihania and McClutchie.
They are faces we see in the community all the time,
on the marae, at gatherings
and they've all worked hard in some way with our people.
There will be no national radio broadcast in Maori
for this election,
but Erana Keelan-Reedy says that after the elections,
it will be all on.
Ngahuia Wade, Te Karere.