Te Māngai Pāho Ngahau 2026/27: Māori-Language Drama, Micro-Video and Digital Entertainment Funding — 3 December

Te Māngai Pāho, the public agency responsible for supporting Māori-language broadcasting and media in Aotearoa New Zealand, has opened its 2026/27 NGAHAU request for proposals. The fund seeks compelling reo Māori entertainment for audiences in Aotearoa, including scripted drama, comedy, short digital fiction, lifestyle video, panel and podcast formats, personality-led social-media programmes, and appropriate strategic music content. It is not a generic global video-art competition.

KEY DEADLINES — The RFP opened Thursday 1 October 2026. Applicants wishing to arrange project discussions with an agency adviser (Kaihāpai) should email content@tmp.govt.nz BY 29 OCTOBER 2026, 5pm. Proposal discussions should be completed by 12 November. The final online submission closes THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER 2026 at 5pm New Zealand local time, and funding decisions are scheduled for 19 February 2027.

WHAT THE PROGRAMME WANTS — Ngahau's primary purpose is entertainment with te reo Māori at its heart, reaching defined New Zealand audiences. The agency gives priority to content for fluent audiences and requires applicants to identify the target demographic, creative approach and meaningful language outcomes. A proposal should express authentic Māori worldview and language practice, not merely use a few isolated phrases as decoration.

EXPLICIT EXCLUSIONS — The 2026/27 RFP rules out Matariki-specific content, children's/tamariki content, news or current affairs or journalism, scripted development without production readiness, and standalone music recordings. Games, educational lessons/resources, advertising and content for non-media websites or apps are ALWAYS excluded. Independent video producers must verify that the proposed digital format is eligible entertainment, rather than a prohibited game or advertising project.

FUNDING SCALE IS A ROUND BUDGET — The agency expects to allocate up to NZ$9 MILLION, excluding GST, across the WHOLE Ngahau ROUND, with discretion to allocate more or less. This is not a NZ$9 million grant ceiling or prize payable to one applicant, and successful applicants receive funding based on assessment and project budgets.

WHO CAN APPLY AND NATIONAL FIT — The RFP targets producers and creators able to deliver ready-to-produce content for Aotearoa audiences, using credible locally relevant screen, broadcast, social or online platforms. Applicants must check the Te Pūahatanga portal's current entity requirements, capacity, rights and language-delivery arrangements. The official RFP should not be misread as a citizenship-only scheme when no simple nationality restriction is stated in its summary.

ESSENTIAL PROPOSAL DOCUMENTS — A complete submission must explain the CREATIVE CONCEPT, the project's te reo Māori strategy, AUDIENCE STRATEGY, production SCHEDULE AND BUDGET and details of the APPLICANT AND KEY PERSONNEL. Proposals may contain up to two distinct projects, with a separate application and documents for each. Be ready to demonstrate that writing/development is finished and production can start.

PLATFORM AND DATA CONDITIONS — Screen or online projects should identify a realistic platform and distribution route. For existing social-media channels, the RFP calls for three months of evidence on audience and reach, including geographic breakdown, growth, engagement and top-performing content. Funded screen content generally has to be offered to Whakaata Māori/Māori+ after a primary-platform exclusivity period, excluding material mainly made for social media.

LANGUAGE QUALITY AND SAFETY — The grant's assessment places 25% weight on creative merit, 25% on Māori language, 20% on audience strategy and the remaining 30% on budget/feasibility and applicant capabilities. Producers should include skilled reo Māori personnel, language-quality assurance, cultural respect, clear IP rights and appropriate child or youth safety planning when relevant.

ABOUT THE ORGANISER — Te Māngai Pāho funds Māori-language screen content, broadcast, music, radio and capability-building as part of national te reo Māori revitalisation. The funding portal Te Pūahatanga is the required application system, and new registrations can take up to THREE WORKING DAYS to process. Official RFP: https://www.tmp.govt.nz/en/documents/337/RFP_2026-27_-_Ngahau.pdf . Funding calendar: https://www.tmp.govt.nz/en/funding/diverse-content/funding-rounds-dates/ . Reviewed 22 October 2026.