RNZ has launched the Henare te Ua Māori Journalism internship.
Māori broadcaster Henare te Ua. Photo: Supplied
It will be a paid 12-month position and is a significant new training and development programme supporting te reo Māori and fostering Māori journalism.
It will be offered to a Māori graduate who is passionate about journalism, with strong te reo knowledge, and able to assist in reflecting and reporting issues of significance to te ao Māori.
The successful candidate will work alongside RNZ news staff researching, reporting, writing and presenting news and current affairs stories.
The internship recognises the outstanding veteran Māori broadcaster Henare te Ua (Ngati Porou) whose career spanned four decades.
His ability to easily move between English and Māori, his leadership and remarkable communication skills marked him as an exceptional broadcaster.
He provides an inspiration for this internship.
Spokesperson for the te Ua whānau, Olly te Ua, said his father would have approved of the internship and the recognition it bestowed on former Māori broadcasters.
"Henare's children, grandchildren and wider family are delighted at the creation of this internship. It recognises Henare's contribution to broadcasting and that of other Māori such as Wiremu Kerekere, Purewa Biddle, Wiremu Parker, and Whai Ngata to name but a few.
"Henare would love this internship. He was an amazing teller of stories with a love of language, words, and a passion for mentoring future generations of broadcasters."
The launch of the internship. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson said: "RNZ is committed to employing outstanding Māori staff who are leaders in their field and who can help create high quality content supporting te reo Māori and fostering Māori journalism.
"By introducing an annual Māori journalism internship we are taking an important step towards reflecting and exploring Māori stories, language and culture as part of the fabric of our everyday work."
"This internship recognises the mana of the late Henare te Ua and his outstanding contribution to broadcasting in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
"We thank the te Ua whānau for their encouragement and for extending their whole hearted support to the initiative," Mr Thompson said.
Click here to apply for the Henare te Ua Māori internship.