Funding decisions

Mōhiohio 

In October, the Board approved the Mōhiohio funding decisions. This funding round has evolved over the past few years as we try make the necessary changes to support a sustainable news and current affairs sector. 

The following projects have been approved for funding subject to conditions and contract negotiations. 

Mōhiohio - News Ecosystem

• Te Iho - He Pātaka Kōrero ā-Motu, Māori Television Service for the management and operational service, up to $1,451,105.25

Mōhiohio - Compilation

• Te Karere 2027, Television New Zealand for TVNZ 1, up to $1,195,000

Mōhiohio - Regional News

• Aukaha - Te Tai Pūkōrero, Te Whakakitenga o Waikato Incorporated (trading as Tainui Live) for Iwi Radio and Aukaha News platforms, up t $1,000,000
• Pūkāea, Te Reo Irirangi o Te Mānuka Tūtahi (trading as Tūmeke FM) for Iwi Radio and Pūkāea News platforms, up to $1,000,000
• Taioro News, Te Reo Irirangi o Tūranganui-a-Kiwa (trading as Tūranga FM) for Iwi Radio and Taioro News platforms, up to $700,000
• Tahu News, Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu (trading as Tahu FM) for Iwi Radio and Tahu News platforms, up to $700,000
• Te Kūkupa, Te Reo Irirangi o Te Hiku o Te Ika Incorporated (trading as Te Hiku 97.1 FM) for Iwi Radio and Te Kūkupa News platforms, up to $700,000
• Taiuru Regional News, Te Reo Irirangi o Taranaki Charitable Trust (trading as Te Korimako o Taranaki 94.8) for Iwi Radio and Taiuru News platforms, up to $600,000

Mōhiohio - News and Current Affairs

• Te Ao with Moana, Black Pearl Limited for Whakaata Māori, Iwi Radio and social platforms, up to $747,800
• Mata 5, Aotearoa Media Collective for RNZ, up to $495,000

Mōhiohio - Factual Content

• Maui Te Turanga Tapu, Mahi Tahi Media for Māori+, up to $920,000
• Toitū Te Haka, Mako Media for Instagram, up to $533,208
• How to Plan My Tangi, Tutu Productions Limited for Whakaata Māori, up to $528,000
• Mauao - Road to Recovery, Mauao Associates Limited for Facebook, up to $390,754.75
• Oro Ki Te Ao, Rauwhetu Creative for Facebook, up to $350,000
• M9 Aotearoa, M9 Aotearoa Limited for Māori+, up to $288,332

Mōhiohio - Other

• Pūkana 2027, Cinco Cine Film Productions Limited for Whakaata Māori, up to $665,135
• Nā Wai i Teka? Season 6, Kura Productions for Facebook, up to $450,000
• Ohinga Series 7, Mahi Tahi Media Limited for Instagram, up to $360,000
• Tai Pari Tai Timu, Moana Communications for Iwi Radio - Moana Radio and 15 Iwi Stations Nationwide, up to $200,000
• Waitangi 2027, Cinco Cine Film Productions Limited for Whakaata Māori, TVNZ and Sky Open, up to $162,500

Reo Māori Content Co-Fund 

Four projects spanning comedy, drama and documentary have received funding to increase the presence of te reo Māori on screen.  

A total of ten scripted and non-fiction production applications were submitted to the round – with two projects receiving scripted production funding and two receiving non-fiction funding. The joint co-fund of $8m opened for applications in August 2026, aimed at supporting high quality, reo Māori screen content for a broad audience. 

The four scripted and non-fiction productions will receive total funding of up to $7,934,130. 
The total funding is split 50/50 between Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.  

Scripted:

• Dead Ahead 3, 6 x 22’, HiMama for viewing on TVNZ+, up to $3,296,828 
• Wharekura, 8 x 12’, Mahi Tahi Media for viewing on Māori+ and Whakaata Māori, up to $1,976,682 

Non-fiction:

• Beyond Identity, 4 x 44’, Pango Productions for viewing on Three, ThreeNow, Neon, and Sky, up to $1,015,620 
• Origins 4, 3 x 43’, Scottie Douglas Productions for viewing on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, up to $1,645,000 

Waiata Takitahi funding round

Waiata Takitahi provides funding of up to $15,000 (plus GST if registered) for a single song, jointly funded by NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.

Waiata Takitahi is a fund for New Zealand artists who are interested in recording and releasing a bilingual single with potential general audience appeal and a minimum of 25% te reo Māori in the song lyrics.

We are looking for songs that will:

• target online and broadcast audiences
• have potential to find a home on mainstream playlists

Applications close Thursday 5 November

Waiata Tuarea funding round

The Waiata Tuarea funding round supports the creation of high-quality waiata reo Māori recording projects for diverse audience interests. Eligible projects include EPs, albums and other multi-song projects containing at least four waiata. The funded songs will help build a sustained pipeline of waiata reo Māori for digital music platforms and radio airplay, contributing to the normalisation and wellbeing of te reo Māori. 

Priority is given to content for fluent audiences, with 70–100% reo Māori across the project, that also identifies a clear target audience demographic. Each waiata must still meet the minimum requirement of 50% te reo Māori. 

Applications close Friday 13 November

Ngahau funding round

The Ngahau funding round aims to identify reo Māori content projects that are aligned to our Investment Goals - Authentic, Discoverable, and Impactful. We also require assurances that the project is ready for production and that the applicant can deliver what is proposed. 

The purpose of the Ngahau funding round is to support the create of reo Māori entertainment content for Aotearoa audiences. This includes content across all platforms that seeks to engage audiences in an entertaining way, while putting te reo Māori at its heart. Priority will be given to content for fluent audiences.  

Applications close Thursday 3 December

Data Collection and Māori Data Sovereignty

Projects currently progressing through contracting may notice new clauses relating to audience data collection, performance reporting, and Māori Data Sovereignty.

These requirements help us better understand how funded content is reaching and engaging audiences across broadcast, streaming, social media and digital platforms. The insights gathered help us measure the reach and impact of Māori language content and support future investment, research, reporting and sector development.

As part of this work, we continue to expand the use of ScreenMiner and work alongside producers, broadcasters and streaming platforms to access audience data for funded content. Together, we can build a clearer picture of how Māori language content is connecting with audiences.

You may be invited to connect projects to ScreenMiner or provide audience and performance data through other approved reporting processes. This collaborative approach helps us better demonstrate the value and impact of funded content while strengthening the evidence base for Māori media.

We are committed to ensuring data is collected and used in a manner that respects Māori Data Sovereignty principles, while maintaining appropriate safeguards around privacy, access and use.

Resources

• Te Māngai Pāho Data Sharing Guidelines
• ScreenMiner Onboarding Checklist
• Producer Orientation Recording

Thank you to the producers, broadcasters and platforms already supporting this work.

If you have any questions about ScreenMiner, data reporting requirements, or the onboarding process, please contact support@tmp.govt.nz. We're happy to answer any pātai and support you through the process.

The survey collects anonymous workforce data to help build a better understanding of the screen sector workforce and inform future research, policy development, advocacy, and funding decisions across the industry.

You can find comprehensive information on each of the agencies' websites, ours can be found here: https://www.tmp.govt.nz/en/about/te-pae-matarau/

If you have any questions, you can contact the team at tepaematarau@nzonair.govt.nz.

Thank you to the productions that have already registered with Te Pae Matarau and supported this initiative. We encourage all funded productions to participate as it will contribute to a stronger understanding of the screen sector workforce.