Donald Brown

In response to Donald Browns opposition to Maori broadcasting in week 2, Browns admission is highly inaccurate as Maori Television has not lead to any type of separatism or division in New Zealand society. Up to 70% of the viewers of Maori television are non-Maori which proves Brown’s separatist beliefs are clearly wrong. Brown also claimed that there is a reluctance to waste public money on Maori broadcasting and that Maori broadcasting would only facilitate modern racism. It is actually racist of Brown to suggest that there is reluctance to waste public money on Maori broadcasting and comments such as Brown’s symbolise modern racism which demotes any future claims he makes in relation to Maori broadcasting.

Browne goes on to argue that there was and still is a predominant belief in Pākehā society that New Zealand is an open, discrimination-free nation, where anyone who really wishes to succeed can do so, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or present economic circumstances. In light of that belief, no special efforts on behalf of Māori are necessary and may even be counterproductive. Browns ideal or utopian interpretation of the opportunities available to all New Zealanders from a Pakeha perspective may be apparent to him however, when one observes the distribution of Maori in top positions of the political and economic institutions it is evident that Maori are outnumbered by Pakeha or the mainstream. The audacity of Brown to suggest that no special efforts of Maori are required and that any such efforts may be counterproductive provokes a question to Brown such as “counterproductive to what? “ the mainstreams dominance over Maori? Brown’s contributions show sympathy for the status quo that maintains the Pakeha or mainstreams hegemonic grip over Maori. Brown’s perception of Maori broadcasting has most likely been shaped by colonisation which also provides more support for decolonisation so that Maori can remove the social, cultural and political barriers that oppress Maori in New Zealand society.