March 27, 2026

#national: Māori media leader warns of serious fallout from radio news cuts

Dale Husband Posted On March 27, 2026

Dale Husband #national: Māori media leader warns of serious fallout from radio news cuts

The decision to scrap the national te reo Māori radio news service is being described as a major setback for Māori broadcasting, with Te Hiku Media CEO Peter-Lucas Jones warning it puts decades of progress at risk.

Jones says the loss of a centralised news service will place immediate strain on iwi radio stations already operating with limited resources. Many stations depend on shared national content to support their local programming, and with proposed baseline funding cuts of up to 30 percent, the removal of that service is expected to stretch already thin teams even further. Smaller stations in particular may struggle to maintain consistent, high-quality news coverage for their communities.

Beyond the operational impact, there are concerns about what the move means for the future of te reo Māori. Māori radio has long played a vital role in normalising the language in everyday life, providing a space where te reo is heard, spoken and valued. Jones says reducing the reach and consistency of Māori-language news risks undermining those gains, limiting opportunities for audiences to engage with te reo in meaningful and regular ways.

He also points to the Crown’s obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi to actively protect and promote te reo Māori and Māori-led institutions. In his view, decisions that weaken Māori broadcasting raise serious questions about whether those responsibilities are being upheld, particularly given the long-standing recognition of te reo as a taonga requiring ongoing support.

Jones says it is important for both the public and policymakers to understand the scale of what is at stake. The establishment of iwi radio and national Māori news services has been the result of decades of advocacy, investment and community effort. These platforms have not only strengthened language revitalisation but also ensured Māori voices and perspectives are consistently represented in the national conversation.

He warns that the current direction risks undoing much of that progress, with potential long-term consequences for both the media landscape and the vitality of te reo Māori. As uncertainty grows, there are increasing calls across the sector for a renewed commitment to Māori broadcasting and recognition of its role as a cornerstone of cultural identity, communication and community resilience.