The Government is investing in te reo Māori by strengthening Māori broadcasting and supporting Māori cultural and creative capability, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.
Budget 2026 sets aside $48 million over the next four years to support the long-term sustainability of Māori broadcasting by helping Māori media organisations adapt to a changing digital environment, commission new te reo Māori content, develop talent and strengthen their capability.
“Alongside Budget 2026 investments in schools to support Māori medium teaching, these initiatives support te reo Māori which is one of the great taonga of this country,” Tama Potaka says.
“Māori broadcasting and storytelling play an important role in strengthening cultural confidence, creating opportunities across Māori creative industries, and sharing uniquely Māori perspectives with audiences,” he says.
The announcement, however, has drawn strong criticism for its scale. Economist Dr Ganesh Nana described the $48 million allocation as “microscopic” when measured against the Government’s total $198 billion budget.
“The increase is welcome, and should be celebrated. Sadly, though the number – and additional $12m per year over the next 4 years – is microscopic in the total scheme of things,” says economist Dr Ganesh Nana. “It is a holding the line exercise for Māori media, but I struggle to see it enabling a significantly lift or improve their offering,” he says.
It comes as the Māori media sector faces funding challenges, with Te Māngai Pāho confirming they were staring down the barell of a $16mil shortfall.
Te Arawa FM, Station Manager, Kereama Wright said the industry was feeling the effects with many suffering from burn out.
He said “I would like to offer my kaimahi contracts that are 4 to 5 years long, so that we can plan ahead and strategise efficiently. At the moment we are having to apply for funding yearly, and only offering our kaimahi short term work contracts of 10 months”.
The Budget also supports Te Māori Tū over five years through $10 million of reprioritised funding, recognising growing international interest in Māori culture, creativity, and storytelling, and creating new opportunities for Māori artists, creatives, businesses, and exporters.
“Te Māori Tū builds on the legacy of Te Māori Manaaki Taonga Trust supporting new opportunities for Māori artists, creatives, businesses, and exporters to share Māori culture and creativity with audiences here in Aotearoa and around the world.”