Since 2006 Whakaata Māori has dedicated live broadcasts to commemorate ANZAC Day. From coverage of dawn services in Gallipoli, the major centres and the regions- to stories told by veterans and their whānau, Whakaata Māori has provided a platform to honour all soldiers who fought and who paid the ultimate price of war on this national day of remembrance in Australia and Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Kaihautū of Whakaata Māori Shane Taurima says it’s an honour and a privilege to be able to recognise the service, bravery and sacrifice of our defence personnel and their whānau.

“This acknowledgement is dedicated to the communities who rely on us to tell stories that matter,” says Shane Taurima.

We also congratulate Te Imurangi Ltd for the beautifully created series Homesteads, this year’s winner of Te Māngai Paho Best Reo Māori Programme that we proudly broadcast on MĀORI+.

From Parinui on the banks of the Whanganui River to Ruatōrea on the East Coast and to Ngatahuna in the Hokianga, this factual series funded by Te Māngai Pāho shares stories of homesteads through the eyes of the ahi kā that are maintaining and strengthening Māori ties to their tūrangawaewae.

Whakaata Māori also congratulates Sesilia Pusiaki for her performance in the film InkyPinky Ponky, which won her Best Supporting Actress.

Inky Pinky Ponky tells the story of a young fakaleiti who falls in love with the captain of the First XV at St Valentine’s High School, who must navigate her way through a world of intolerance and bigotry to find happiness. The film is available OnDemand on MĀORI+ and on The Coconet TV.

“I encourage all our producers to continue to create fresh formats in their own voice, in te reo Māori, reflecting the Aotearoa we live in today. Whakaata Māori is privileged to support their passion and innovation as the waka for original, homegrown and national identity,” says Shane Taurima.

“We will pursue our mission of telling compelling stories digital first, that promote our language, culture and heritage so that all New Zealanders can access content unique to Aotearoa-New Zealand,” he says.

Whakaata Māori received 17 nominations at the NZTV Awards 2023 marking an exceptional year for Whakaata Māori which doubled Te Reo Māori channel audiences, increased online audiences by 33%, achieved its first milestone of 100,000 downloads for the MĀORI+ app and has reached more than a million viewers across rangatahi sports coverage on MĀORI ACTIVE.