Funding rounds & dates Rātaka tuku pūtea

This is the first funding round for the 2026/27 financial year.

The purpose of this funding is to support the creation of reo Māori content for Aotearoa audiences. Te Māngai Pāho expects to allocate up to $10m (ex. GST) in total but reserves at its sole discretion the right to distribute a higher or lesser amount in this funding round.

Priority is given to 100% reo Māori content for tamariki and rangatahi audiences. Young people, from kōhungahunga through to kura tuarua, are critical to reo Māori revitalisation and retention strategies as they are the fluent speakers of tomorrow. Approximately $3m (of $10m) will be allocated for this content.

We will also accept applications for reo Māori content for general audiences, with preference for entertainment content on digital platforms and content containing more than 70% te reo Māori. Approximately $7m (of $10m) will be allocated to content for general audiences.

Applicants may submit a maximum of two proposals by completing an application form for each and attaching a relevant proposal document.

It is imperative that proposals contain the following sections to ensure information can be found easily and consistently against the assessment criteria.

• Creative Concept
• Te Reo Māori
• Audience Strategy
• Schedule and Budget
• Applicant and Key Personnel

Read the Kura Pounamu RFP here.

Mōhiohio content has an intention to inform.

With funding from this round, audiences will be offered a Māori perspective in te reo Māori on events and stories of significance. Audiences should be able to rely on this content for its truth and accuracy, both in the present and as a lasting record of Māoridom today.

This round prioritises:

• Journalism content for the current reo Māori news and current affairs ecosystem;
• Feature-length documentaries about an event, kaupapa or person of national interest;
• Researched factual content in docu-series formats for social media platforms;
• Researched narratives for audio podcast.

Ngahau is entertainment content.

Entertainment content is what Māori and New Zealand audiences love most. Give them thrills, spills, love, and life in te reo Māori - content so compelling that they can’t turn away!

This round prioritises:

• Scripted stories set in imaginary worlds in formats for on-demand;
• Scripted micro dramas and micro comedies;
• Scripted stories for audio podcast;
• Lifestyle, reality, actuality factual content for entertainment;
• Personality-led content leveraging established social media audiences.

Whāngai is content to foster Māori hearts and minds.

Whāngai content provides an immersive experience for audiences who are strengthening their comprehension of te reo Māori and connection to te ao Māori.

Content funded in this round will target tamariki, rangatahi and pakeke who are learning te reo Māori. Broadcasts and content that demonstrate Māori customs and community expression will help contextualise te reo Māori.

This round prioritises:

• Fluent content for tamariki;
• Fluent content for rangatahi;
• Fluent content for emerging language learners;
• Broadcasts and content for kaupapa of national significance.

This contestable funding opportunity will support quality factual and scripted content made for diverse and multiple digital platforms including linear pouaka whakaata, on-demand, 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.

We ask that content producers to tell us about their capability and capacity to deliver content in the next 12 months, and to pitch content ideas that will contribute to the normalisation and wellbeing of te reo Māori. The content we are looking to support will be Aotearoa-centric and demonstrate a capacity to positively impact on New Zealanders’ attitudes towards te reo Māori by providing audiences an opportunity to engage with the language in a way that is inclusive and within their reach.

Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air have joined forces to fund high-quality, Scripted and Non-Fiction reo Māori content for a broad audience.

Research into the funding of Māori content has revealed that 71% of public funding for Māori film and television content goes toward Non-Fiction production. In an attempt to redress this imbalance, the priority of this round will be high-quality, Scripted reo Māori content. Non-Fiction content applications are welcome but will need to be extra convincing to succeed.

The content we look to support is Aotearoa-centric, engaging, and compelling. It will also positively impact on New Zealanders’ attitudes toward te reo Māori by giving the audience an experience of the language that is inclusive and within their reach.

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 reo on matters deemed of local, national and international relevance and importance.

Māori journalism provides a plurality of voices 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 tautoko for the production and distribution of Māori news and current affairs.

This contestable fund seeks to support the creation of quality, reo Māori content that will contribute to the normalisation and wellbeing of te reo Māori through a tamariki or rangatahi audience. Participation in te reo Māori by this age demographic is a critical piece in reo Māori revitalisation and retention strategies. We seek content ideas that are relatable, age-appropriate, support learning, and provide immesrive engagement with te reo Māori.

The Special Projects funding round aims to provide funding for the production and broadcast of content in alignment with Māori celebrations of national significance. The ambition is that content produced with this funding will add to the awareness and enjoyment of the occasion while emphasising Māori culture and language as an integral part of our national identity.

Priority is given to content for Matariki and Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Content ideas to support other established kaupapa of national importance are also welcome to apply.

Te Māngai Pāho Industry Support funding is aligned to the Creators key focus area published in the Te Māngai Pāho Statement of Performance Expectations for 2025/26; providing funding support to reo Māori content creators and related professionals for initiatives that benefit the reo Māori content industry and workforce.

The areas of priority for Industry Support investment are:

1. Capacity & Capability Building
2. Partnership
3. Sponsorship
4. Quick Response

Applicants are advised to submit an initial enquiry to support@tmp.govt.nz. A Kaihāpai (Advisor) will provide an initial assessment to determine suitability before inviting you to submit a proposal via Te Pūahatanga. Industry Support funding for 2025/26 has now closed.