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March 31, 2026
#news: Urban Māori Authorities Step In to Sustain Te Reo News Bulletins
Waatea Team
Posted On March 31, 2026
The Manukau Urban Māori Authority and Whānau o Waipareira have moved to support the continuation of te reo Māori radio news bulletins, stepping in after Te Māngai Pāho withdrew funding from the long-running service.
The intervention comes amid concern that a shift in funding priorities toward short-form digital content has left a significant gap in Māori media, particularly for audiences who rely on regular news delivered in te reo Māori. For more than 20 years, radio bulletins have been a consistent and accessible source of information for whānau across the country.
Whānau o Waipareira chief executive John Tamihere says the decision to act reflects the importance of te reo Māori as a cornerstone of whānau wellbeing, and a view that the Crown has not upheld its obligations to actively protect the language.
Manukau Urban Māori Authority acting chief executive Mike Tukaki says the organisation is committed to supporting te reo across multiple fronts, including community-based language initiatives, and sees the continuation of Māori-language news as essential. He also points to the loss of a two-decade service without a replacement as a significant concern.
At Radio Waatea, general manager Matthew Tukaki says the support provides immediate relief for both listeners and staff, while acknowledging that a long-term solution is still needed. He says the situation highlights the need for Te Māngai Pāho to reassess its funding priorities.
The move by the two urban Māori authorities is being framed as a temporary measure while efforts continue to secure sustainable funding for Māori-language journalism. Sector leaders say the situation underscores wider pressures facing kaupapa Māori media, as funding models evolve and audience habits shift.
The organisations are calling on Te Māngai Pāho and the Crown to revisit their decisions and ensure ongoing investment in Māori-language news, which they say remains a critical tool for language revitalisation and informed communities.
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