Whakaata Māori is a New Zealand television channel that broadcasts programmes that make a significant contribution to the revitalisation of the Māori language and culture. Funded by the New Zealand Government, it commenced broadcasting as Māori Television on 28 March 2004 from its studios in Newmarket, Auckland. It has since moved to East Tamaki, Auckland. In 2021, the channel launched a news service called Te Ao Māori News and a streaming app called MĀORI+. It officially changed its name to Whakaata Māori in June 2022.
Name The name Whakaata Māori has been official since 2022, but has been used as a de facto Māori name for the channel since its inception. Until June 2022, Māori Television was the official name of the channel.
The word "Whakaata" means "to mirror", "to reflect" and "to display". "Whakaata" is also used as part of the compound "pouaka whakaata", which literally means "display box", in turn, "television".
History Early developments and prelaunch In the early days of television in New Zealand, Māori-language programming was scarce. Suggestions were made as far back as 1976 by the New Zealand Māori Council to create a Māori and Polynesian current affairs programme, followed by a second petition in 1978 to create a Māori production unit within the BCNZ, with the aim of adding "a Māori dimension to regular viewing". There was significant process in the decade, such as the 1974 documentary series Tangata Whenua. In 1980, the newly created Television New Zealand started a Māori production unit, its first production being the current affairs magazine Koha, followed in Māori Language Week 1982 by a four-minute bulletin which eventually became Te Karere the following year.
While TVNZ's Koha and Te Karere were showing signs of progress, there was heavy hostility at the time. Pākehā staff at TVNZ believed that Māori programmes "were of high nuisance value and minimal importance", as well as fears of a takeover by Māoris.
In the mid-1980s, there were projects for a dedicated Māori television channel. When the Māori Council, in 1985, after the 1984 neoliberal reforms that facilitated the creation of a third national network, made a pitch for a service named Aotearoa Broadcasting Systems, both the government and the BCNZ rejected ABS's proposal, losing the opportunity for a national Māori television service.
By the early 90s, iwi radio stations emerged as well as a dedicated funding agency, Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi, which in 1993 was renamed Te Māngai Pāho and spun-off from New Zealand On Air in 1995. In 1996, a joint Māori-Crown Working Group on Broadcasting Policy was set up, and in the same year, the Aotearoa Television Network launched as a pilot service in the Auckland area for thirteen weeks. ATN was plagued by lack of planning and government funding, which ultimately led to its closure, as well as hostile media coverage. In the aftermath of its closure, a workshop was made by the Language Commission in Hamilton with the aim of dubbing cartoons into the Māori language, led by Waihoroi Shortland, one of its members.Kia ora! It's Mickey Mouse. (1997, Oct 03). Dominion
The government decided to support a dedicated service in December 1997. Ministers estimated that the policy would cost NZ$12 million in 1997-98 and $17 million from 1998-99.Govt backing for Maori TV. (1997, Dec 08). Evening Post The plan was halted in February 1998, which was criticised by politicians.Christine Cessford (1998, Feb 16). Government silent on Maori broadcasting. Evening Post On 19 May 1998, the government through its Māori Affairs minister Tau Henare announced the setup of a Māori television channel for NZ$11 million. It would air programming funded by Te Māngai Pāho, which, according to legislation, could not pay for setting up radio and TV stations.Govt puts up $11 million for nationwide Maori TV channel. (1998, May 19). Waikato Times The Wellington Māori Language Board criticised the use of these funds as it estimated that it would take NZ$100 million to make it competitive with mainstream channels in English. Piripi Walker said that with NZ$11 million alone, the channel could be strapped for cash during week two of operations.Paul Diamond (1998, May 20). Maori TV funds criticised. Evening Post During Budget meetings days later, it was speculated that the NZ$11 million payment was solely for the purpose of setting up a transmitter network, buying equipment and establishing an operating location.Maori TV channel possible next year. (1998, May 20). Waikato Times Tuku Morgan, who was involved with ATN, said that there was already a certainty of funding, and that it should use MTV's network from TVNZ, which it had formerly used for Horizon Pacific until its closure in 1997. Other suggestions included a link with Sky, buying a production house, or giving the money to TVNZ's Māori department to produce its programmes.Te Anga Nathan (1998, Jun 01). Use MTV channel, says Morgan. Waikato Times Advertising sales were seen as difficult given the budget given to fund it on the grounds of being a niche channel; as of June 1998, it was expected to launch between March and June 1999.Maori TV advert sales `not easy'. (1998, Jun 02). The Press
Bill Falconer was named trustee of the channel on 19 June 1998, alongside Treaty of Waitangi fisheries commissioner and TVNZ board director Whaimutu Dewes, businesswoman and publisher Robyn Bargh, Māori programme maker and broadcaster Waihoroi Shortland and lawyer, programme maker and broadcaster Ian Taylor, who together would make use of the budget given in May.Maori TV trust named. (1998, Jun 19). Dominion
The Māori Broadcasting Advisory Committee was set up in 2000 by Derek Fox with the aim of creating a television network where the Māori language would become commonplace in prime time slots. The Fifth Labour Government particularly the Minister of Māori Affairs Parekura Horomia had supported the idea of a fully-fledged Māori television station following the 1999 New Zealand general election. An establishment trust called Te Awhioraki Trust led by Fox was also set up. In the period ahead of its launch, controversies emerged, such as the sacking of Canadian CEO John Davy, the first CEO of the channel, fired after six weeks due to false qualifications, as well as concerns that the new service was a "waste of taxpayers' money" and was destined to be a failure. A new report in October said that the initial NZ$11,1 million used to set up the channel were now joined by an additional NZ$19,1 million for annual funding, as well as additional plans to make the channel financially self-sustainable.Christine Robertson (1998, Oct 22). Maori TV's first year would cost taxpayers $30m. Evening Post At a hui in Auckland later that month, a report was rejected under the grounds that it was "Crown controlled and driven.Hui rejects report on Maori TV channel. (1998, Oct 29). Dominion The government on 16 December announced that the channel would cost NZ$96 million for its first five years on air, NZ$16,87 million a year.Maori TV channel to cost $96m. (1998, Dec 16). Evening Post
Search for a new body of six trusteed began in January, initially scheduled to be complete by the end of the month;Christine Robertson (1999, Jan 12). New TV channel for Maori seeks trustees. Evening Post these were appointed on 13 March: the new trustee was held by Beverly Adlam, a businesswoman from Wellington, joined by Wellington Māori-language publisher Robyn Bargh, Auckland Treaty lawyer Joe Williams, Auckland artist Selwyn Muru, management consultant Hemi Toia, and Dunedin television producer Ian Taylor.Maori TV trustees appointed. (1999, Mar 13). Dominion Adlam refused to make any comparisons with ATN.Jonathan Milne (1999, Mar 15). No looking back for Maori TV trust head. Dominion In November, Tuku Morgan was likely expected to land a "top job" at the new channel.Te Anga Nathan (1999, Nov 03). Tuku standing on shaky ground. Waikato Times
On 26 November 1999, the channel received government approval at a new cost of NZ$10,9 million. The first NZ$6,5 million in capital were available to the trustees next week; while the remainder was reserved to when the chief executive and staff were appointed. A network of UHF frequencies was also reserved.Jonathan Milne (1999, Nov 27). $10.9m for new Maori TV channel: [2 edition]. Dominion The government then delayed the decision in mid-December to 2000;TV decision in new year. (1999, Dec 16). Dominion this angered trustees, which Adlam said were because of "delays and lack of communication".Maori television trust angry. (1999, Dec 23). Dominion In January 2000, the government was suggesting delaying the launch plan for the channel, pending a complete review.Ruth Berry, (2000, Jan 19). Maori TV channel likely to be put on hold.
On 2 August 2000, Te Māngai Pāho released its annual report, raising concerns on NZ$13,8 million spent for already produced programmes that could stay shelved until Māori Television could open. This left the agency in a catch-22 situation until the government solved the issue.$13m television shows to await Maori channel. (2000, Aug 03). Dominion On 7 November, Parekura Horomia announced the possibility of launching the channel in early 2001. Some time before, Marae on TV One held a survey in which most respondents wanted the channel to be bilingual.Ruth Berry (2000, Nov 07). Maori to get own TV channel early in 2001. Evening Post The government then put it on another delay in December.Ruth Berry (2000, Dec 15). Trustees upset by Horomia's Maori TV delays. Evening Post A new TMP announcement in February 2001 said that it would now take NZ$40 million to set it up. Board member Joanna Paul justified that the delay, despite frustration from Māoridom, also took technological advantages as the channel would well be taking the lead in digital technologies.$40 million needed to start Maori TV. (2001, Feb 23). Dominion In March 2001, the Clark government announced plans to try to kickstart its operations.Maori TV still on. (2001, Mar 13). Evening Post That month, Horomia met with Sky's network manager to carry the proposed channel on its digital satellite service, and would provide dual audio programming.Jonathan Milne (2001, Apr 07). Sky in running for Maori television channel contract. Dominion The channel started to take shape in May 2001, with NZ$19,2 million in Te Māngai Pāho funding and NZ$6 million a year in operational funding. Māori-language programming would take up 90 minutes of programming per evening.Ruth Berry (2001, May 21). Maori TV likely to get $29m. Evening Post Further delays and financial uncertainties led to more anger among trustees.Johnatham Milne (2001, Jun 25). Maori TV 'inaction' angers trust. The Press A new TMP proposal in June suggested that the channel should be bilingual to cater to a small portion of Pākehā viewers and there was the possibility of carrying commercial advertising.Bilingual TV channel on its way. (2001, Jun 29). Dominion Government approval was sealed on 24 July; the channel was due to be on air by July 2002Ruth Berry (2001, Jul 23). It's all go for Maori TV service. Evening Post and would now cost NZ$55 million a year.Jonathan Milne (2001, Jul 25). Maori TV gets $55m from govt. The Press It was expected that the channel would be seen in most of Wellington using a UHF frequency.Ruth Berry (2001, Jul 25). Most of Wgtn to get Maori TV. Evening Post This also meant the dissolution of the existing trust, Te Awhiorangi Te Reo, and the creation of the Māori Television Service.Jonathan Milne (2001, Jul 30). Latest Maori television drama; Maori TV timeline. Daily News