With a 40% weighting Māori language for program proposals to Te Māngai Pāho, the aim is to increase the prestige and presence of te reo Māori within the programmes being broadcasted to the world.
More than 75 content creators attended a Māori broadcasting sector wānanga, run by Te Māngai Pāho, to develop their Māori content.
Māori Television commissioner Potaka Maipi says, "The challenge for producers and directors is to develop programming to attract viewers, not to think that Māori language is the reason programming isn't successful."
Maipi says some creators are under the impression that Māori language content can't capture a big enough audience.
“That's a major misunderstanding, we've seen Maimoa reach the top of the music world with their content entirely in Māori, so that's one example.”
Maipi says content creators and directors need to be passionate about the Māori language.
“Those who have graduated from immersion Māori high schools and kura kaupapa Māori are now 20-30 years old. They have the skills in television, so I encourage them to create these shows.”
Maipi says that the aspirations for Māori media can only be realised through the embrace of te reo Māori.