Ngā Aho Whakaari, the national body representing Māori in Aotearoa’s screen industry, is entering a new chapter following a major leadership transition announced this week.
Long-serving Chair Piripi Curtis is stepping down after a decade on the board, including three years leading the organisation through a period of significant change across the media and screen sector. Board member Whatanui Flavell has been appointed Interim Chair until members elect a new leader at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting in November.
Established 30 years ago by Māori screen practitioners, Ngā Aho Whakaari has played a central role in advocating for Māori voices, storytelling, language and representation within the New Zealand film and television industry. Over the decades, the organisation has supported the growth of Māori creatives while pushing for stronger indigenous visibility and leadership across the sector.
Curtis, who affiliates to Te Arawa, Ngāti Rongomai, Ngāti Pikiao and Tainui, joined the board during a transformative era for Māori media and digital storytelling. During his tenure as Chair, the organisation focused heavily on strategic planning, industry advocacy and expanding opportunities for Māori practitioners navigating a rapidly evolving screen landscape.
The transition comes at a pivotal time for the sector as Māori storytellers continue gaining international recognition across film, streaming, documentary and digital content creation. Indigenous-led storytelling has become increasingly influential both domestically and overseas, with Māori creatives driving conversations around language revitalisation, identity, sovereignty and representation on screen.
Incoming Interim Chair Whatanui Flavell, who has served on the board for the past three years, says the organisation’s future direction will continue to focus on advocacy while adapting to changes across the industry.
Flavell, who affiliates to Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāpuhi, Taranaki iwi, Ngāti Raukawa and Te Whānau a Apanui, takes over leadership as the screen industry grapples with changing technologies, evolving audience habits, and increasing demand for indigenous content both in Aotearoa and globally.
Ngā Aho Whakaari says the organisation remains committed to supporting Māori creatives and ensuring the screen sector reflects the aspirations, stories and realities of Māori communities. The board has acknowledged Curtis’ decade of contribution and says it is confident in the organisation’s direction under Flavell’s interim leadership.
The leadership shift also highlights the growing strength and maturity of the Māori screen industry, which has become a critical platform for indigenous storytelling, cultural preservation and creative innovation in Aotearoa.
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