May 18, 2023
Te Matatini gets $32 million over two years in Wellbeing Budget 2023
The iconic Māori cultural event Te Matatini gets a well over due increase in support with $32 million over two years.
Te Matatini is not just an event, but rather a waka that allows all New Zealanders participate journey through te reo and tīkanga Māori.
As well as it being a two yearly event attracting over 100,000 people, it also accumulates on-line and television audiences in excess of one-million per year.
The high volume eyes to screen and spectator traffic through the gates is a requirement for Government funding. However, it has only managed to attract around $2.9 million of support.
In comparison, the Symphony Orchestra receives around $16.5 million a year, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet receives $7 million.
Fierce lobbying by Te Matatini, its supporters and Te Pāti Māori have brought the inequity of funding to the publics’ attention.
The total Māori Budget for 2023 is $825 million:
• Whare: Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga $200 million
• Whenua: Te Ringa Hāpai Whenua Fund $23 million (over 4yrs)
• Cyclone Recovery Efforts: $19.9 million (over 4yrs)
• Whānau Ora: $168.1 million (over 4yrs)
• Hauora: $132 million
• Māori Education: $225 million
• Māori Justice: Te Ao Marama $11.7 million (for 2023/2024yr)
• Te Matatini: $34 million (over 2yrs)
• Matariki: $18 million (over 4yrs)
• Māori Media: $51 million (over 2yrs)
• Māori Tourism: $8 million