How the epic broadcast to mark a new epoch in te ao Māori was made at Tūrangawaewae Marae, media focus on small stuff in big bucks plan for roads; 'Toast-gate' prompts a backlash and a u-turn on maternity ward snacks.

As one Māori monarch was farewelled and a new one appointed this week, it was all aired in the longest multimedia coverage of any event in this country’s history. Mediawatch looks at how this was done - and asks if the Kiingitanga’s relationship with digital-age media might change under new management.

Read all about it on rnz.co.nz here

As billions were rolled out for roads in a new national transport plan - which also rolls back the sums spent on other transport - some journalists questioned how this will work and who will bear the high costs, But other coverage followed the lead of the minister, highlighting stuff that hardly makes a dent in the billion dollar budget.

Read all about it on rnz.co.nz here

Also this week: how reported penny-pinchning cuts to post-birth snacks in maternity wards forced a backlash - and two minsters declared the move toast within hours.

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details