Whakaata Māori and Te Ao Māori News invite expressions of interest from prospective producers and regional content partners responding to Te Māngai Pāho 2025/26 News and Current Affairs Request for Proposals (RFP).
The Request for Proposal is designed to align with Te Māngai Pāho goals, while also reflecting their unique role and responsibilities as a kaupapa Māori media organisation. They are seeking proposals of the creation and platforming of Māori news and current affairs content. They seek innovative and engaging proposals that align with their outcomes and values, emphasising the importance of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori news and current affairs as integral to our national identity.
The proposed content should aim to deliver to Te Huapae o te Rangi – the Apataki and Kaihoe Outcomes Framework, See here for Te Huapae Outcomes - Producer Info
Ensure Aotearoa engages with the content and values te reo me ngā tikanga Māori.
Create immersive opportunities for te reo Māori.
Foster a sense of connection to Māori identity for Māori viewers and enhance understanding of tikanga for non-Māori audiences.
Nurture individual growth (Whakatupu Takitahi) and collective development (Whakatupu Takitini).
The proposed content should align with Whakaata Māori guiding values:
Kia Tika – Excellence and Accountability: The pursuit of journalistic excellence and responsibility in reo, in news gathering, in conduct and in outcomes.
Kia Pono – Integrity and Trust: Honouring the truth, keeping our word and acting with transparency in our content creation and editorial decisions.
Kia Aroha – Empathy and Whanaungatanga: Gathering stories with care and respect, fostering connection and inclusion across te ao Māori and beyond.
Kia Māori - Identity, Reo and Cultural Leadership: News and current affairs must centre reo and tikanga Māori in all aspects, while embracing and respecting the diverse communities of Aotearoa.
They are seeking proposals for the following types of content:
Align strongly with their Key Objectives
Weekly or episodic digital current affairs content - platform agnostic, short to mid-form
Robust reo Māori strategy that will achieve fluent and spontaneous reo Māori dialogue that exceeds the 70% fluency target
Fresh and fearless current affairs exploring real issues and undercurrents shaping Māori lives, politics, culture and lived experiences across Aotearoa through a uniquely Māori perspective.
Demonstrates editorial integrity, cultural safety, and journalistic best practice
Regional providers responding to the TMP News RFP are encouraged to share proposals with Whakaata Māori ahead of TMP deadline to establish any formal platform partnership or required letters of support.
Whakaata Māori/Te Ao Māori News will be prioritising platform partnerships that:
Align strongly with our Key Objectives
Have demonstrated previous examples of strong partnership that evidences high audience engagement
Propose shared workflows, content exchanges or collaborative editorial pipelines
Participate in cross-rohe story coverage and/or national kaupapa coordination
Integrated planning on kaupapa of national significance (eg - Elections, tangihanga)
Proposals must be submitted electronically via proposals@whakaatamaori.co.nz.
Any submissions not made via the email and directed elsewhere will not be considered
Proposals must include a proposal cover sheet which is available on the Whakaata Māori website: Whakaata Māori Coversheet
Proposal Submission Deadline: 15th August 2025