Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho (the MÃÂori Broadcast Funding Agency) is the New Zealand Crown entity responsible for the promotion of the MÃÂori language and MÃÂori culture by providing funding for MÃÂori-language programming on radio and television.
In 1989 the Broadcasting Act established the . Then the Broadcasting Amendment Act 1993 established Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi, known as in 1994.
The organisation was established and is retained under the commitment of successive Governments to broadcasting rights under the Treaty of Waitangi, and recognises the MÃÂori language as a taonga that must be actively protected and supported. It claims to be "dedicated to the sustained regeneration and promotion of MÃÂori language and culture" through making wise investment decisions, contestable funding processes and the promotion of MÃÂori music. It operates alongside general broadcasting funding body NZ On Air.
As the primary funding body of MÃÂori media, the agency funds the operation of a national network of 21 iwi-run radio stations, that must each deliver eight hours of MÃÂori language content each day. It also provides funding to MÃÂori Television and sister channel Te Reo to produce local programming in-house and acquire local and overseas programmes that are likely to interest MÃÂori audiences in particular.
One of its earliest accolades as an independent body was funding Aotearoa Television Network, a UHF MÃÂori channel in Auckland. However, its available budget for the station was limited, hindering its growth.
In early October 2025, the Minister of MÃÂori Development Tama Potaka appointed Reikura Kahi as Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho's chair and Kingi Kiriona as deputy chair.
In early December 2025, Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho's chair Kahi and chief executive Larry Parr met with members of the New Zealand Parliament's MÃÂori affairs select committee to lobby the Sixth National Government against cutting Nz$16 million worth of time-limited funding to the agency during the 2026 New Zealand budget. She and Parr described the proposed cuts (which amounted to 25% of the agency's budget) as "catastrophic" for the MÃÂori language and the MÃÂori media sector. National Party MP Greg Fleming reiterated his support for Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho and said he would lobby Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to maintain strong funding to the MÃÂori broadcast funding agency. By contrast, associate finance minister and ACT party leader David Seymour argued against public funding for the media and said that the cuts did not go "far enough."
When Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho became autonomous in 1994, it began using a sting to end the television programmes it funds. The first, Toità «, was commissioned by Cinco Cine. This was replaced in 2002 by a new one, He Mea Tautoko for the impending arrival of MÃÂori Television. This was finally dropped in 2022, being replaced by the current one, Ko Te Reo Te Take. By using a metaphor of Ranginui and Papatà «ÃÂnuku separating their parents in space, the agency sees it as part of the move not only from linear television to streaming, but also from analogue technologies (film and tape) to digital.
TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, Three, Prime TV and Sky TV programming is eligible for Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho funding. The agency has previously funded bilingual content, outdoor broadcasts of MÃÂori events, sports coverage with MÃÂori language commentaries, MÃÂori language children's programming, daily news and current affairs and other programmes.
Flagship daily MÃÂori language news programme Te Karere began in 1983 and has been funded by Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho since its inception in 1989. The programme covers news of national significance that relates to a specifically MÃÂori audience. It is presented by Scotty Morrison and produced by Tini Molyneux and Tina Wickliffe. The programme broadcasts on TVNZ 1 at 3:55 pm, and is repeated with subtitles at 1 am and 5:35 am the following day, and is available online through live streaming and on-demand services.
Until the end of 2014, the TVNZ MÃÂori and Pacific department operated primarily to produce programmes that have received Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho funding. Long-running bi-lingual current affairs programme Marae was one such programme. Presenters Scottie Morrison and Miriama Kamo introduced debates and panel discussions about MÃÂori politics and longer-form stories about the MÃÂori world. For most of its existence, the programme has been broadcast alongside English-subtitled MÃÂori language documentary series Waka Huia, which was distributed around the world as an archival record of the MÃÂori way of life.
Whakaata MÃÂori (formerly MÃÂori Television) began broadcasting around New Zealand 28 March 2004 from a base in Newmarket, and makes a significant contribution to the revitalisation of the MÃÂori language and culture through its programming. Its mission under legislation is to revitalise MÃÂori language and culture through providing high-quality, cost-effective MÃÂori television, in both MÃÂori and English languages, in a way that informs, educates, and entertains a broad viewing audience and therefore enriches New Zealand's society, culture, and heritage.
The flagship MÃÂori Television attracts 1.5 million viewers each month, half of all MÃÂori aged five or more, and one third of all New Zealanders. Current affairs show Native Affairs, sports coverage and international films and documentaries are among the highest-rating programmes on the channel.
Te Reo is the company's second channel, launched 28 March 2008. Its contents are entirely in the MÃÂori language with no advertising or subtitles, with many programmes being iwi-specific or geared towards fluent MÃÂori language speakers. It also rebroadcasts or simulcasts many of MÃÂori Television's MÃÂori language programming, including daily news programme Te Kaea.
Te MÃÂngai PÃÂho funds the operation of a network of bilingual English and MÃÂori language radio stations targeting members of local iwi and the wider public through local frequencies and online streaming. It operates as Te Whakaruruhau o NgÃÂ Reo Irirangi MÃÂori, the Iwi Radio Network, currently chaired by former Alliance MP Willie Jackson.
Programming on these stations includes national and local news coverage, music, educational programming, comedy, drama and programmes that teach the MÃÂori language. These stations update listeners on iwi news and events, and promote MÃÂori language and culture. Each station includes local shows, personalities and breakfast programmes.
Tahu FM, based in Christchurch, is also available on Sky digital 423.