Pou Korero
A journalists' guide to Maori and current affairs

'Pou Korero' is an excellent resource for anyone with an interest in how Maori are portrayed by the Pakeha media and how this affects the way Maori are perceived by other New Zealanders - and, most importantly, how this can be improved.

While written primarily for journalists to provide practical guidance for their work, such as reporting Maori occasions and including Maori perspectives in news rounds, 'Pou Korero' contains reflections and ideas which are valuable for anyone wanting to move beyond the dominant mono-cultural ways of thinking and behaving, it provides useful insights that are applicable in any profession or area of work.

"It is 23 years since author Michael King produced 'Kawe Korero', his straightforward and accessible guidebook on how journalists could best interact with Maori and report their stories.

His work has endured. But it has been apparent for some time something more comprehensive was needed to keep pace with the Maori renaissance and its impacts, which the so-called mainstream news media has at times struggled to report with any measure of confidence or competence.

Carol Archie has put together just such a book. She has employed her extensive experience and knowledge as a journalist covering Maori stories over several decades to write and edit 'Pou Korero: a journalist's guide to Maori and current affairs'.

It is a seminal work that not only updates advice on protocols, the use of te reo and how best to approach news involving Maori, but also traces the historical development of Maori media, Maori journalists and the culture which formed them." Jim Tucker, Executive Director, NZJTO

'Pou Korero' has nine chapters, with the first eight providing information on the Treaty of Waitangi and some relevant history, reporting Maori occasions, local knowledge and making contacts, Maori media, good practice, the media arbiters, news rounds, te reo Maori in New Zealand English (and glossary), and a concluding chapter which looks at the future of journalism in Aotearoa New Zealand and how reporters can shape our sense of identity in an inclusive way. A te reo Maori pronunciation CD is included with the book.

'Pou Korero' was launched by Auckland University of Technology Chancellor Sir Paul Reeves on Monday, 27 August, at Nga Wai O Horotiu marae (AUT); and discussed by a panel including Sir Paul, Whai Ngata (TVNZ), Wena Harawira (Maori TV), Carol Archie, and Jim Tucker (NZJTO) - links to coverage of the launch and interviews with Carol are available below.

Media coverage and interviews

• Pakeha approach is not the only way, Jeremy Rees, 7 December 2007
• Creating a fair, balanced and inclusive media future, Review by Qiane Corfield, Mana Magazine, 6 September 2007
• Journalists’ guide updated, Radio Waatea, 27 August 2007
• Time to break away from specialist Maori reporting, Aroha Treacher, 27 August 2007
• Images from the Pou Korero book launching, Pacific Media Centre, August 2007
• Archie launches new book for journalists to carry on ‘rewarding work’, Rebekah Lyell, 27 August 2007
• Author challenges journalists to develop an inclusive media, David Robie, 27 August 2007
• Carol Archie poses challenges over cross-cultural reporting, Cafe Pacific, 27 August 2007
• Author calls for wider Maori reporting by newsrooms, Priscilla Duncan, 17 July 2007

'Pou Korero' is available from the NZ Journalists Training Organisation: $56.25 to NZJTO members and currently enrolled journalism students (plus postage $3 for each copy), $67.50 to non-members (plus postage $3 for each copy) - the order form is online here. If you are in Wellington and would like to pick up your order from the NZJTO Wellington office, please email.

Information about Carol Archie's previous book, 'Skin to Skin: Intimate true stories of Maori-Pakeha inter-marriage', is available on this web page.

Pou Korero: a journalists' guide to Maori and current affairs
Carol Archie (NZ Journalists Training Organisation, 2007)
ISBN 0-9582058-7-6