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1960 - 1970
Emergence of Māori language advocacy groups - Te Reo Māori Society and Nga Tamatoa.

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1973
Presentation of Māori language petition to Parliament by Nga Tamatoa.

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1980
Television New Zealand screen 'Koha'- a 30 minute Māori magazine programme.

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1986
Report of the Waitangi Tribunal on the Te Reo Māori Claim (WAI 11). The Tribunal finds that te reo Māori is a taongā guaranteed protection under Article II of the Treaty of Waitangi.

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1987
Māori Language Act and establishment of the Māori Language Commission.

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1988
Crown amends Broadcasting Act 1976 to restructure New Zealand broadcasting and creates State Owned Enterprises.

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1989
Broadcasting Act.

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1991
1991 May: High Court decision declines to grant relief in respect of radio assets but adjourns claim in respect of television assets to give the Crown the opportunity to submit a scheme designed to protect te reo Māori if the assets were transferred. July: Cabinet takes decision on Māori broadcasting and undertakings given to the High Court to, amongst a number of things, the development of special purpose Māori television. Crown accepts that "the principles of the Treaty impose a continuing obligation on the Crown to take such active steps as are reasonable to assist in the preservation of the Māori language by the use of both radio and television broadcasting".
The High Court accepts the Crown’s undertakings and allows the transfer of television assets.

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1992
1992 Application to the Court of Appeal by New Zealand Māori Council and Nga Kaiwhakapumau i te reo Māori appealing the transfer of television assets.

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1993
Appeal to the Privy Council dismissed but the Privy Council judgement stresses the previous undertakings given by the Crown to the Courts. Broadcasting Amendment Act establishes Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi/Te Māngai Pāho.

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1994
Appeal to the Privy Council dismissed but the Privy Council judgement stresses the previous undertakings given by the Crown to the Courts. Broadcasting Amendment Act establishes
Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi/Te Māngai Pāho.

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1996
A joint Māori/Crown working party on Māori television is established. Report prepared recommending substantive developments in Māori broadcasting policy (report one).
Second report of the Māori/Crown working party on Māori broadcasting.
Implementation of Māori television pilot in Auckland region - Aotearoa Māori Television Network.

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1997
Aotearoa Māori Television Network ceases to operate.
National Māori Organisations report on Māori broadcasting.
Ministry of Commerce discussion document on Māori television policy released.
Government reviews Te Māngai Pāho and Māori radio.

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1998
Government agrees to the establishment of a Māori Television Trust. An establishment working group is set up to develop a trust deed, advise on appointments procedures including appointment of initial trustees and advise on how the operation of the trust should be funded.

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1999
Te Reo Māori Television Trust [Te Awhiorangi] presents business case to Ministers. Purchase agreement signed by the (then) Minister of Communications in December.
New government puts transfer of assets transfer of funds and assets for new channel on hold in order to further consider options for Māori television.

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2000
Cabinet agrees that the establishment of a Māori television channel is a government priority within the Māori broadcasting policy area.
Responsibility for Māori broadcasting policy advice is transferred from the Ministry of Commerce to Te Puni Kokiri.
Minister of Māori Affairs invites a group of Māori broadcasting experts to make recommendations on Māori broadcasting. The Māori Broadcasting Advisory committee (MBAC) presents its report to the Minister of Māori Affairs in October 2000.

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2001
Prime Minister and the Minister of Māori Affairs direct officials to consider MBAC report and provide further advice on options for establishing a viable Māori television service.
Discussions begin with key Māori stakeholders.

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2002
Māori television service to 'go to air' in June 2002.