About Us

WHO WE ARE

Ngā Aho Whakaari is the national representative body for Māori working in film, video and television in New Zealand. Our members range from actors, directors and independent production companies to presenters, producers, technicians, writers and broadcasting students and educators. more…

WHAT WE DO

Our main focus is the advancement and protection of Māori moving images, culture and language, and the professional development and growth of independent Māori film and television production. more…

WHERE WE RECEIVE SUPPORT

We are able to do what we do with the generous support of funding from our principal supporters the NZ Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho, and project related funding or sponsorship from other government agencies such as Te Puni Kōkiri and industry bodies like Māori Television and TVNZ. We also are fortunate to receive funding and other support from several of our production company members, membership subscriptions and the voluntary contributions of time and energy from our members and Board.

HOW WE STARTED

Ngā Aho Whakaari was established in 1996, after a series of hui were called by Māori film and television practitioners concerned that Māori should be accurately represented in the development of Māori broadcasting by Government.

Many of the originators of Ngā Aho Whakaari were earlier involved with Te Manu Aute, which was an informal collective of Māori filmmakers that actively lobbied for stronger Māori representation in Government decision-making about Māori filmmaking and broadcasting in the 1980’s.