Nanaia Mahuta releases overview on Māori Media Sector Shift

“Māori media are significant players in the revitalisation of te reo Māori and for providing Māori content in both English and te reo Māori for all New Zealanders,” says Nanaia Mahuta.

Māori audiences want to see their own stories told by media but some Māori media struggle to find the resources to do this, the Minister for Māori Development, Nanaia Mahuta says.

That was among the findings of Te Ao Pāpāho ki Tua – Māori Media Sector Shift - an overview released by the Minister today.

"Māori media are significant players in the revitalisation of te reo Māori and for providing Māori content in both English and te reo Māori for all New Zealanders," says Nanaia Mahuta.

"I would like to acknowledge the Māori media sector for contributing to the Māori Media Sector Shift. I would also like to mihi to the kaumātua and rangatahi who met with Te Puni Kōkiri. Your knowledge and insights will be invaluable in informing how te reo Māori and Tikanga Māori content should be delivered in the future.

"New and advancing technologies have changed the way we consume content. Māori media audiences are demanding more diverse and engaging content across multiple platforms. Therefore the Māori media sector needs to be able to remain relevant and current to its diverse audiences.

"The overview highlights the challenges that Māori media organisations face in delivering public service roles within a highly deregulated and commercial New Zealand market.

"Other challenges include the significantly lower budgets for producing each hour of content in the Māori media sector compared with the wider public media sector.

"Māori have a desire to share their stories with the world but want assurances the knowledge will be protected from exploitation. In addition, Māori media want easier access and the ability to access archival content.

"We will now be working on some high-level options for Cabinet to consider before any decisions are made on the future of the Māori media sector at the end of the year," said Nanaia Mahuta.

The Minister has also released the Cabinet Paper and Minute which includes Te Ao Pāpāho ki Tua – Māori Media Sector Shift - an overview of the current state of the sector. The documents are available online at the links below.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)