Twice The Impact, Half The Budget: Budget 25 Must Invest In Whakaata Māori

Scoop

30-04-2025

Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Broadcasting, Tākuta Ferris, and MP for Tāmaki Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, are demanding the Government significantly increase its investment in Whakaata Māori in Budget 2025.
The call comes following the release of the network's 2025 Social Value Report at an event today, attended by MP Kemp, highlighting more than $114 million in measured impact across Aotearoa.
'Whakaata Māori is not just a broadcaster — it is a cornerstone of cultural survival, education, and national identity,' said Tākuta Ferris.
'This latest report proves what our people have known all along: kaupapa Māori media changes lives, strengthens whānau, and brings te reo Māori into the hearts of homes across the motu.'
The report, independently developed by Social Ventures Australia, affirms that Whakaata Māori's work is delivering more than double its operating budget in social value — from improved reo Māori use to stronger cultural identity and cross-cultural understanding.
'With 78% of Māori viewers feeling more connected to their identity and 69% of parents saying their tamariki are speaking more reo and practising tikanga at home, this Government must now future-proof these outcomes with targeted investment,' says Takutai Tarsh Kemp.
Ferris and Kemp are calling on the Government to urgently prioritise a meaningful funding boost for Whakaata Māori in Budget 2025, following 17 years without an increase to the network's baseline operational funding.
'For too long, successive Governments – and especially this one – have paid lip service to te reo Māori and Māori development, while refusing to back it with resources,' said Kemp.
'The network has not received a baseline funding increase since 2008. The numbers presented today speak for themselves - Whakaata Māori delivers where it matters most: to the people. Budget 2025 must reflect that,' concluded Ferris.