About Ngā Aho Whakaari

Ngā Aho Whakaari empowers, promotes and advocates for Māori voices and stories within the Aotearoa New Zealand screen industry.

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Our Whakapapa

Mā Muri Ka Tika a Mua

Over the past three decades, Ngā Aho Whakaari has been at the forefront of Māori self-determination to create, produce and represent their own stories on screen.

Paving the way for the establishment of Ngā Aho Whakaari, was Te Manu Aute. In the 1980s, Te Manu Aute played a crucial role in driving the political agenda of Māori screen production. Like other pan-Māori organisations of the time, including the Te Reo Māori Society, Māori Women’s Welfare League, New Zealand Council, Ngā Kaiwhakapumau I te Reo, and Ngā Tamatoa, Te Manu Aute contributed to the resurgence of Te Reo Māori and cultural revitalisation efforts. Continuing this tradition, Te Manu Aute chose to do so as a loose coalition rather than a formal organisation, until the creation of Ngā Aho Whakaari as an incorporated society in 1996.

Empowering Māori in Screen

At Ngā Aho Whakaari, we are driven by our core values to be a platform for the development, visibility and advocacy for Māori in screen industries.

Advocacy & Support

Advocate for equitable representation, opportunities, and recognition for Māori storytellers on screen.

Building a Strong Māori Film Community

Strengthen the capacity and resilience of Māori screen practitioners through support systems from leadership to newcomers.

Promoting Māori in the Screen Industry

Promote collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation within the Māori screen industry.

Celebrating Māori filmmaking

From awards to sponsorships we celebrate our people and their work wherever possible.

Global Outreach

Strive for global outreach and connection, amplifying the voices of Māori storytellers worldwide, fostering cultural exchanges, and inspiring a global audience with the cultural excellence and authenticity of Māori storytelling.

Growing Māori Screen Talent

Provide training, workshops, and professional development opportunities that support Māori screen practitioners to build skills, share knowledge, and grow sustainable careers.

A network of Māori in Screen industries.

Ngā Aho Whakaari - Māori in Screen is a legacy, not-for-profit organisation driven by a vision of cultural excellence, self-determination, and indigenous-led solutions by influential Māori in the screen industry.

Our mission is to actively support the global screen industries by uplifting tangata whenua & Indigenous creatives in advocating for their unique perspectives, narratives, and artistic expressions. We strive to strengthen the world where cultural appreciation thrives and authenticity is valued to empower excellence.

  • Whakamana: Empowering Māori in Screen
  • Whakawhanake: Developing Māori in Screen
  • Whakatairanga: Promoting Māori in Screen
  • Whakaari: Showcasing Māori in Screen

Ngā Aho Shorts

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