A new generation of te reo Māori sports commentators is stepping up to the microphone through Tākaro Pāpāho, an initiative designed to strengthen Māori language broadcasting while inspiring tamariki and rangatahi to see sports media as a career where their language, culture and identity can flourish.
The programme brings together Te Mātāwai, Whakaata Māori, Sky, TVNZ and a range of industry partners, creating opportunities for young people to develop practical broadcasting skills while helping secure the future of Māori sports commentary across Aotearoa.
For programme leaders, the initiative is about much more than calling a game—it is about ensuring te reo Māori remains visible, vibrant and valued on some of the country’s biggest sporting stages.
Nevak Rogers says the vision behind Tākaro Pāpāho is to build a strong pipeline of fluent te reo Māori commentators capable of covering sport at every level, from grassroots competitions through to national and international events.
As demand continues to grow for Māori language sports coverage across television, digital platforms and radio, the programme is helping prepare the next generation with the confidence, technical skills and cultural knowledge needed to succeed in an evolving media landscape.
It also reinforces the importance of hearing sport through a Māori lens, where language, tikanga and storytelling enrich the viewing and listening experience.
The collaboration between Te Mātāwai, Whakaata Māori, Sky and TVNZ reflects a shared commitment to investing in Māori language broadcasting.
By combining expertise, resources and industry pathways, the programme provides participants with direct access to experienced broadcasters and production professionals while demonstrating that te reo Māori has a growing place across mainstream and Māori media.
The partnership also signals increasing recognition that bilingual broadcasting is becoming an important part of New Zealand’s sporting future.
A key focus of Tākaro Pāpāho has been giving tamariki and rangatahi practical experience in real broadcasting environments.
Participants have had opportunities to commentate sporting events, learn production techniques and receive mentoring from established professionals, building confidence both in public speaking and in using te reo Māori in fast-paced live environments.
Beyond technical skills, the programme encourages young people to see broadcasting as a career where they can proudly express their identity while contributing to the revitalisation of te reo Māori.
Looking ahead, organisers hope Tākaro Pāpāho will help normalise hearing fluent te reo Māori across all levels of sports broadcasting.
Success will be measured not only by the number of commentators entering the industry but also by the increasing presence of Māori language coverage across mainstream sport, digital platforms and community events.
The long-term ambition is to ensure future generations grow up hearing te reo Māori as a natural part of sporting life—whether following local competitions, national championships or international tournaments.
By investing in young broadcasters today, Tākaro Pāpāho is helping create a future where Māori language, culture and storytelling continue to thrive both on and off the field.
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