TG4 and Whakaata Māori, Aotearoa/New Zealand have announced the signing of a Relationship Agreement aimed at fostering a strategic partnership to uphold common values and achieve shared outcomes through the exchange of resources, knowledge, and services.
This landmark agreement, signed at the 45th Celtic Media Festival in Cardiff, represents a major milestone in enhancing the connection between the Māori and Irish-speaking communities.
Alan Esslemont TG4’s Director General said: “TG4 was recently honoured to have the Aotearoa/ New Zealand Ambassador to Ireland, Trevor Mallard, as a guest at Gradam Ceoil TG4 in Limerick and we are now delighted to strengthen our ties with Whakaata Māori, the Māori television service. Within the history of global colonisation the Irish people have been both the ‘dispossessed’ and the ‘dispossessors’ and I believe that we have much to discover from the experiences and world-view of the Māori people.
The parallels are evident to me between te reo Māori and an Ghaeilge, their communities of speakers and their revitalisation efforts. In addition, TG4 and Irish media strategy can learn much from media policies concerning Māori broadcasting and other Aotearoa/ New Zealand media.”
Shane Taurima, Whakaata Māori Kaihautū said, “This new partnership signals another important step for Whakaata Māori in collaborating with broadcasters worldwide who share a mission of promoting language and culture. Our role is more pivotal than ever in contributing to the normalisation of our languages and cultures and ultimately their survival for future generations. I am excited about the opportunities that this alliance with TG4 presents – bringing creative minds together to find enduring solutions that will raise the status of the Māori and Irish languages and cultures, and create content that inspires our audiences.”
TG4, the Irish language television channel supports the Irish language, culture, and arts, and plays a crucial role in regional and rural development and social inclusion of minority language communities. TG4’s strategy is anchored on three pillars:
Fás: Growth in audience and Irish language usage.
Cothrom na Féinne: Solidarity with cultural, regional, and linguistic diversity.
Comhpháirtíocht: Partnership with stakeholders to improve Irish society.
Whakaata Māori, a statutory entity in New Zealand, is dedicated to protecting and promoting Māori language and culture through media. Guided by its vision “Kia mauriora te reo,” Whakaata Māori integrates key Māori values into its operations:
Kia Tika: Fairness, accuracy, and balance.
Kia Pono: Distinct and authentically Māori content.
Kia Aroha: Respect, generosity, and care for others.
Kia Māori: Adventurous and creative content inspired by Māori heritage.
The Relationship Agreement outlines the strategic relationship between Whakaata Māori and TG4, establishing cooperation in content development, co-production, and exchange of strategic information. The key principles underpinning this partnership include:
Mahi Tahi – Dea-Rún: Acting with integrity and respect.
Kotahitanga – Meitheal: Collaborative efforts on agreed priorities.
Kia Pono – Ionracas: Commitment to purpose, principles, and honesty.
