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MPs Demand Increased Funding for Maori Television

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. mand-increased-funding-for-maori-television.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, March 22nd 2026 at 21:44 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
      Locale: NEW ZEALAND

Wellington, NZ - March 23rd, 2026 - A united front of Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum are publicly appealing to the government to substantially increase funding for Whakaata Maori, New Zealand's Maori Television service. The cross-party pressure highlights growing concerns about the broadcaster's financial viability and the potential implications for the survival of te reo Maori (the Maori language) and the preservation of Maori culture.

The call for increased resources comes at a critical juncture for Whakaata Maori, which has faced ongoing financial pressures for years. The broadcaster, established to revitalize te reo Maori and provide a platform for Maori voices, is struggling to maintain its services amidst limited commercial revenue and what many describe as insufficient government support. Questions surrounding its long-term sustainability have prompted the rare display of bipartisan agreement among MPs.

A strongly worded letter, signed by MPs representing National, Labour, the Green Party, Te Pati Maori, and NZ First, was delivered to Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson earlier this week. The letter explicitly urges Minister Jackson to reassess the current funding allocation for Whakaata Maori, arguing that current levels are unsustainable and jeopardize the broadcaster's ability to fulfill its statutory obligations as a Crown entity.

"Whakaata Maori isn't merely a television station; it's a vital cultural institution," the letter states. "It stands as a cornerstone in the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote te reo Maori, a language that has faced historical suppression. Adequate funding is not a matter of preference, but a matter of honoring Treaty principles and ensuring the continued vitality of Maori language and culture for future generations."

The MPs acknowledge the inherent challenges faced by Whakaata Maori, including its reliance on limited advertising revenue compared to its commercial counterparts. Unlike many other broadcasters, Whakaata Maori operates with a primary focus on serving a specific cultural community and language, making it inherently more difficult to attract broad-based commercial support. Despite these challenges, the broadcaster has consistently delivered high-quality news, current affairs programming, and entertainment content, all largely in te reo Maori.

Rawiri Waititi, Co-leader of Te Pati Maori, was particularly vocal in his criticism of the underfunding, stating, "Whakaata Maori has consistently punched above its weight, delivering essential programming in te reo Maori on a shoestring budget. To continue to expect them to do so without adequate support is not only unfair, but a deliberate undermining of Maori language revitalization efforts." He emphasized the crucial role the channel plays in providing access to te reo for a wide audience, especially in urban areas where immersion learning opportunities might be limited.

Simeon Brown, a National Party MP, echoed this sentiment, demonstrating the surprising level of consensus on this issue. "While my colleagues and I often find ourselves on opposing sides of the political arena, we are unequivocally united in our support for Whakaata Maori," Brown stated. "We recognize the fundamental importance of te reo Maori and Maori culture to New Zealand's national identity. We want to see Whakaata Maori flourish and continue to serve as a vital platform for generations to come."

The increased pressure on Minister Jackson comes after several years of debate surrounding the funding of public broadcasting in New Zealand. Previous funding models have been criticized for being fragmented and unsustainable, leading to instability within the sector. While the current government has implemented some changes, critics argue that Whakaata Maori has not received a proportionate share of the available resources.

Experts in Maori media believe that increased funding for Whakaata Maori would have a ripple effect, supporting the wider Maori media sector and creating more opportunities for Maori content creators. They point to the success of similar initiatives in other countries, where targeted investment in indigenous media has led to significant gains in language revitalization and cultural preservation.

Minister Jackson has acknowledged receipt of the letter and indicated that he is considering the concerns raised. However, he has yet to announce any specific plans to increase funding for Whakaata Maori. The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as the government prepares to finalize its budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The future of Whakaata Maori, and potentially the future of te reo Maori on mainstream media, hangs in the balance.