A former Maori Language Commissioner says more needs to done to attract younger viewers to Maori Television.
Haami Piripi says he understands why a departing Maori Television Board member, Ian Taylor, suggested the station should consider cutting its te reo content.
Mr Taylor said that Maori TV produces more programmes for kaumatua when it should be targeting the younger generation.
But Mr Piripi says captivating and sustaining a younger viewers is always going to be a challenge.
He says he sympathises with Mr Taylor's view and perhaps his frustration that Maori TV hasn't been able to entice more rangatahi viewers.
Mr Piripi says there needs to be an effort to excite and ignite young people into the belief that it is "cool to korero".
Haami Piripi says Ian Taylor does make a good point, but says he may be overlooking certain aspects of language regeneration.
He says he respects Mr Taylor who is a person at the cutting edge of technological innovation and his departure will be a loss for the Maori Television Board.
