April 08, 2026

#national: Jackson Warns Māori Media at Risk as Fuel Crisis Bites Households

Dale Husband Posted On April 8, 2026

Dale Husband #national: Jackson Warns Māori Media at Risk as Fuel Crisis Bites Households

Labour’s Willie Jackson is raising concerns about the future of Māori broadcasting, warning that funding cuts to a nationwide te reo Māori news service could undermine the Crown’s obligations in an election year already dominated by cost-of-living pressures.

Jackson says Māori media is not just another part of the broadcasting landscape, but a taonga that carries language, identity and cultural continuity. He argues that reducing support for te reo Māori services risks breaching the Crown’s responsibility to actively protect and promote the language under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The warning comes as uncertainty grows around funding for Māori-led news platforms, including services delivered through iwi radio networks such as Waatea, which play a key role in reaching communities in te reo Māori.

At the same time, Jackson has criticised the Government’s handling of ongoing fuel shortages, saying the response has been slow and lacks coordination. He points to rising global pressures but argues stronger domestic planning and intervention could have softened the impact on households and businesses.

Labour’s alternative approach would focus on stabilising supply chains, providing targeted relief for essential sectors, and accelerating investment in energy resilience to reduce exposure to international shocks.

The fuel crisis is now rippling through the wider economy, pushing up prices across multiple sectors. Food costs are climbing as transport becomes more expensive, while airfares have risen sharply as airlines pass on higher fuel costs to consumers. The construction sector is also feeling the strain, with increased costs for materials and logistics adding further pressure to already stretched budgets.

Jackson says these combined pressures are hitting whānau hardest, particularly those already struggling with everyday expenses. He argues that without decisive action, the cost-of-living crisis will deepen in the lead-up to the election.

With both media funding and economic pressures in focus, the debate is shaping as a broader question about priorities, including how the Government balances its Treaty obligations with the need to respond to mounting financial strain on New Zealand households.