Interest In Reo Mäori Music Tops The Charts

08 April 2002

Musicians are snapping up the opportunity to record reo Mäori music, with more than 30 applications for the latest round of funding offered by Mäori broadcasting agency Te Mängai Päho.

Chief Executive Trevor Moeke says the high number of applications, totalling $830,000, reflects the growing interest in reo Mäori music and the success it is enjoying. It also bodes well for the revitalisation of Mäori language and culture.

“New Zealand music is enjoying a renaissance and reo Mäori music is a key player in that upswing. More and more people want to hear music that reflects our country and our culture.”

Reo Mäori music is mainly produced for broadcast on New Zealand’s 21 iwi stations, that enjoy large local audience shares, and the demand for contemporary reo Mäori music from both radio stations and the public has continued to grow, Trevor Moeke says.

“The reo Mäori music produced from this funding round will complement the quality programming already on iwi stations. We will choose carefully from the high quality applications received to ensure those funded will meet the needs of the wide audience and age range listening to Mäori radio today.”

Mäori radio also has the advantage of sharing programmes and music via the new intranet-based service, punga.net. Te Mängai Päho introduced this new technology last year to make it easier for iwi stations to network together.

Increasing numbers of people are tuning into iwi stations with the latest research revealing that 72.9% of Mäori adults listen to Mäori radio – very high listenership figures when considering iwi stations are only currently accessible to 85% of the Mäori population.

“Music is an excellent way to connect people, especially younger listeners, to their language and culture so the more Mäori music on the airwaves, the better.”

Te Mängai Päho expects to complete the announcement of the results of this funding round by the 03 May 2002.

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