Rātaka tuku pūtea Funding rounds & dates

Mixed-platform

Te Māngai Pāho provides contestable, mixed-platform funding for producers and creators to create a diverse range of Māori content.

Ngā tūāpapa rerekē is our way of describing the wide variety of content we fund across linear television, online and digital platforms, web series and apps. Previously described as ‘diverse content’, all mixed-platform initiatives support Māori language and culture outcomes.

The majority of Te Māngai Pāho funding is contestable, mixed-platform funding, and is available to producers and creators to create a diverse range of Māori content, such as Tamariki & Rangatahi, Innovation, NZ on Air Co-Fund, General Audience and News & Current Affairs.

Tamariki & Rangatahi

This contestable fund seeks to support the creation of content for tamariki and rangatahi audiences that engage the target audience on multiple platforms: including but not limited to; linear television; OnDemand; and online viewing.

For tamariki content we are looking for:

• Innovative, relevant, engaging and genuine use of te reo Māori; kia rekareka, kia auaha te whakamahinga o te reo!
• Proposals that leverage other resources and agencies specific to Tamariki
• Projects with supported educational outcomes and framework will be prioritised
• Innovative ideas that engage tamariki on appropriate platforms
• Clearly identified target audience

For rangatahi content we are looking for:

• Innovative, relevant, engaging and genuine use of te reo Māori; kia rekareka, kia auaha te whakamahinga o te reo!
• Proposals that have cut through
• Content that is relevant, and reflect the lives of rangatahi
• Proposals that have an understanding on how to reach their target audience
• Innovative ideas that aim to engage rangatahi on multiple platform

Read the RFP here.

Timeline:

7 June 2022 - RFP published and round opens
5pm, 1 July 2022 - Stage 1 applications close
8 July 2022 - Stage 1 decision letters distributed
5pm, 22 July - Stage 2 applications close
19 August - Funding decision letters distributed

General Audiences

This contestable funding opportunity will support quality factual and scripted content made for diverse and multiple digital platforms including linear television, OnDemand, online viewing as well as limited Podcast funding streamed through major platforms in this financial year. Both new and returning series are eligible to apply.

Round 1

• The assessment criteria will prioritise higher fluency content proposals.
• Evidence of platform co-investment, and marketing support relevant and specific to the idea is encouraged and will also be an advantage.
• Proposals that leverage other resources (waiata reo Māori etc.) and agencies for better promotion of the Māori outcomes will be prioritised.
• Kaitono with platform support or an established audience will be prioritised.
  • The expectation is that each application has a primary and secondary platform for the content and that it be available for distribution on other unrelated platforms.
  • All content will also be broadcast via Whakaata Māori if Whakaata Māori is neither your primary or secondary platform after the exclusivity period has ended.
• A limit of two proposals per production company.

Round 2

• We are looking to fund content across multiple platforms that champion te reo and tikanga Māori, that use te reo and tikanga Māori in innovative, accesible ways on screen to help change attitudes and behaviours across Aotearoa.
• The assessment criteria will prioritise reo Māori content proposals or those who have genuine Māori perspective throughout.
• This round aims to fund content for all audiences including tamariki and rangatahi.
• Both new and returning series are eligible to apply.
• Kaitono with platform support or an established audience will be prioritised.
  • The expectation is that each application has a primary and secondary platform for the content and that it be available for distribution on other unrelated platforms.
  • All content will also be broadcast via Whakaata Māori if Whakaata Māori is neither your primary or secondary platform after the exclusivity period has ended.
• A limit of two proposals per production company

Read the RFP here

Timeline:

Tuesday, 2 August - RFP published, and round opens on Te Pūahatanga

Friday, 12 August - Online webinar and information - register now

5pm, Friday 26 August - Stage 1 applications close

Tuesday, 6 September - Stage 1 decision letters sent and stage 2 shortlist notified

5pm, Friday 23 September - Stage 2 applications close

Friday, 21 October - Decision letters distributed

Content Development Round

In a continued effort to serve New Zealand audiences by engaging Māori content, we are always on the lookout for fresh, innovative content ideas with te reo Māori outcomes. We believe the considered development of that content is fundamental to the quality of content and ensure the use of te reo Māori is of the highest standard. We are looking for innovative and engaging Māori storytelling that will connect with audiences.

This development funding round seeks to provide applicants with the opportunity to create written and/or visual materials and/or strategies to improve the quality and use of te reo Māori within projects. Ultimately it will also enable content creators to make strong bids for production funding in the very competitive funding environment.

Proposals should include:

• The premise and concept
• Treatment • Proposed Key personnel
• Rautaki reo Māori
• Indicative production budget
• Indicative production schedule
• Indicative Marketing and distribution strategy

Timeline

2 August 2022 - RFP published

11am, 12 August 2022 - Online webinar and information - register now

5pm, 23 September 2022 - Deadline for full proposals

21 October 2022 - Decision letters sent

News & Current Affairs

Te Māngai Pāho seeks full proposals for the creation of both Receptive (30 - 70%) and/or Fluent (70% - 100%) te reo Māori news and current affairs projects aimed at general audiences for distribution on established platforms, with priority given to those with strong broadcast support.

Since its inception, Te Māngai Pāho has supported quality Māori journalism made by Māori about Māori issues, and interests. Te Māngai Pāho understands the important role it plays in creating space for our content, perspective, and language on matters deemed of local, national and international relevance and importance.

Māori journalism provides plurality of voice and addresses the potential for imbalance in our political landscape especially in respect of that demand te reo Māori and Māori perspectives are heard and considered. To ensure Māori journalistic capability within the sector, Te Māngai Pāho is committed to continuing its support for the production and distribution of Māori news and current affairs.

• Applicants with platform support will be prioritised.
• There is an expectation that platforms [LP1] demonstrate their commitment to applications they endorse by way of marketing and distribution support.
• The content must be available freely for distribution on other unrelated
• platforms.
• Evidence of platform co-investment, support and third-party marketing support is encouraged and will also be preferred.
• Projects must adhere to the current Media Standards in Aotearoa
• Proposals that leverage other resources and agencies specific to the idea will be preferred.
• Production entities applying for this funding are required to demonstrate a genuine commitment to te reo Māori themselves as well as the project.
• Collaboration between organisations is encouraged. Content distribution agreements, aggregation by platforms/publishers, sharing resources or co-producing content supports the effective use of the limited funding available.

Read the RFP here.

Timeline:

Friday 1 July: RFP published, round opens on Te Pūahatanga
5pm, Monday 15 August: deadline for full proposals
Friday 16 September: Decision letters distributed

Māori Wardens Documentary

Te Māngai Pāho invites RFP proposals from content creators for the production of content including a documentary to highlight and record the rich history and contribution of the Māori Wardens within Aotearoa.

Te Māngai Pāho will run a one-stage RFP process. Following assessment of initial proposals, Te Māngai Pāho together with Te Puni Kōkiri will notify the successful applicant.

Find out more here.

Innovation Round

This contestable funding opportunity will tautoko innovative new content ideas made for diverse digital platforms including linear television, OnDemand, and online viewing. We encourage producers with new ideas, fresh voices, and Māori projects that is currently missing from our screens to apply.

Te Māngai Pāho does not intend to fund Apps or Platforms through this funding initiative.

NZ on Air Co-Fund

This contestable fund supports high-quality factual and scripted content made for diverse digital platforms including linear television and online viewing. New and returning series with proven te reo Māori outcomes are eligible and will be prioritised. However, in an effort to encourage fresh kaupapa, series beyond a third season will be deprioritised alongside newer projects.

Read the media release on the successful applicants here.

Explore examples of our co-funded content, such as National Treasures and The Walkers.