Whakaata Māori is facing a more than $10 million shortfall in the next two years, forcing the broadcaster to shift programming online-only and cut roles, says the company’s Kaihautū Shane Taurima. (Photo supplied)
For more than 20 years, Whakaata Māori has occupied an important place in Aotearoa New Zealand media, as a home for Māori voices, stories, and perspectives.
Now the broadcaster faces significant headwinds, with financial pressures forcing a series of changes. The organisation’s kaihautū, Shane Taurima, explains.
Our decades-long journey, marked by resilience and dedication, anchored in whakapapa and driven by a commitment to te reo Māori and tikanga Māori, is now challenged by an evolving media landscape that demands decisive action.
Whakaata Māori stands at a crossroads. However, our mission remains clear — to ensure that the language and stories of our ancestors thrive in the hearts and minds of our tamariki and mokopuna.
In these times of transition, we are guided by the wisdom of our tīpuna:
He kura whakaaio ki te rangi, ko Hawaikirangi e tū nei.
He kura whakaaio ki te whenua, ko Hawaikitangata e tau nei.
These words remind us of the power of our stories and the strength that comes from our collective pursuit of excellence. They inspire us to stand firm in adversity and remain dedicated to preserving and promoting te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
Whakaata Māori was born out of decades of advocacy, led by our tīpuna who fought tirelessly to protect and promote te reo Māori.
Since its inception, Whakaata Māori has played a vital role in revitalising te reo Māori, providing a platform for Māori stories to be told in our language and from our perspectives.
As the Minister of Māori Affairs, the late Parekura Horomia, said when moving the third reading of the Māori Television Service (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Māori) Bill: “The service will place a particular emphasis on targeting our young people. In terms of Māori demographics, 40 percent of our people are in the 14- to 16-year-old group, and 65 percent are 25 years and younger. The media they follow, and the interconnectivity they have with things like television, are well known.”
That was in 2003. Facebook didn’t exist. Home-based broadband internet access was still a year away from being offered (at $700 for a 10GB data allowance), and the first iPhone was almost four years away from being released.
The world has changed dramatically since then. The media landscape is more complex and competitive, and while platforms, technologies, and consumer behaviours develop, our responsibility to be responsive to the needs of our audience remains strong.
Te Reo channel programming will only be available online, from March next year. (Photo supplied)
Our digital innovation is already yielding results, as more people connect with our content online. This surge in viewership highlights the success of our digital strategy and fuels our commitment to continue evolving.
However, these advancements require difficult decisions.
In response to the challenges we’re facing, Whakaata Māori has undertaken the Wai Whakaata review — a comprehensive realignment aimed at securing long-term organisational sustainability.
One ongoing challenge Whakaata Māori faces is securing equitable funding and resources. Today’s financial pressures highlight the fragility of our position.
Our review focused on finding cost-savings of 25 percent. It reflects the financial realities we face and our commitment to investing in our digital future. We are faced with a $10.3 million budget shortfall by the 2026/27 financial year, meaning we must take decisive action now to secure our future.
One action we are taking is to reduce our senior leadership team from seven roles to four. This marks the start of a broader organisational review which will be crucial to ensuring Whakaata Māori remains viable and capable of fulfilling its mission.
We deeply value the contributions of our people — the skilled paddlers steering our waka through these challenging waters. Their dedication has brought us to where we are today, and their continued commitment will carry us forward.
No decisions have been made on the broader structural adjustments to Whakaata Māori. We we are in the early stages of working through these changes with our people.
Another change we’re making is to transition the te reo Māori channel to an online-only platform, starting in March 2025. While challenging, this change reflects the financial realities we face and our commitment to reaching our audience effectively.
The broadcaster has reduced headcount in the leadership team and is conducting an organisation-wide review. (Photo supplied)
As we navigate these changes, we must remember that the strength of Whakaata Māori rests not only in our history but also in our collective future. Our purpose has always been to provide a platform for Māori voices and stories — something no other national broadcaster can truly deliver.
Our current partnership with Tainui and other media to share the coverage of the tangihanga of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII on national television via Te Reo channel and our online platforms exemplifies this commitment. It underscores why Whakaata Māori exists — to ensure that significant cultural events are accessible to all, serving our communities in ways no other broadcaster can.
By working together to create a unified approach to content creation and distribution, we can ensure that Māori voices continue to be heard across all platforms. Listening to our viewers has always been, and will continue to be, crucial. Whakaata Māori is, and always will be, a platform for our people.
For over 20 years now, we’ve navigated changes to the media landscape that have required us to be nimble and innovative. The challenges before us are significant, but not insurmountable — and the opportunities before us, if taken up now, will enable Whakaata Māori to become more resilient and thrive in the future.
The broadcaster is reviewing all aspects of its operation but hasn’t yet announced structural changes. (Photo supplied)
Our tīpuna have illuminated the path, navigating uncharted waters, overcoming overwhelming odds, and creating a legacy that we continue to build on today. As we walk backwards into the future, we must draw strength from their wisdom, resilience, and vision.
Whakaata Māori is not just a broadcaster, it is a taonga — a national treasure, a vessel for our shared stories, language, and identity. To fulfil this potential, we must be bold. We must have the courage to make difficult decisions, challenge the status quo, and carve out a new path forward.
E tū tātau ki te waka o Whakaata Māori. Stand firm in our waka as we navigate these waters together, guided by the wisdom of our tīpuna and the strength of our collective purpose. Our journey is one of resilience, unity, and unwavering commitment to our language, our culture, and our future.
With Hawaikirangi standing resolute, we will ensure that our people’s stories are heard, our language flourishes, and our culture thrives — safeguarding this legacy for our tamariki, our mokopuna, and generations to come.
Shane Taurima, of Rongomaiwahine and Ngāti Kahungunu descent, is the Kaihautū (Chief Executive) of Whakaata Māori. He started as the Deputy Chief Executive in September 2018, spearheading the transformation of Whakaata Māori (formerly known as Māori Television) into an Indigenous multi-media organisation. Shane also serves as the Chair of WITBN, the World Indigenous Television Broadcasters Network. He held senior positions at Television New Zealand and managed Ruia Mai, the national Māori radio news service. Shane has a background as a political editor and journalist.
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