Aotearoa Television Network

The Aotearoa Television Network (ATN) was the first television station to broadcast primarily in the Māori language, though the venture ultimately proved unsuccessful.

ATN originated in early 1996, when Te Māngai Pāho (TMP) invited tenders for a trial Māori-language television service to operate under a UHF licence in Auckland. The winning bid — led by Puhi Rangiaho, Tawini Rangahau, Morehu McDonald, Robert Pouwhare, and Tukuroirangi Morgan[1] — was announced on 7 March 1996. Broadcasting began on 1 May as a pilot service, which was formalised in October that year as a regular regional station.

Due to TMP’s limited budget, ATN operated with only a 500-watt transmitter, resulting in weak or non-existent reception across much of its intended catchment area.[2]

ATN was notable for placing Māori-language programming in primetime slots — a contrast to earlier efforts such as Te Karere, which had been broadcast in less prominent timeslots.[3]

In 1996, ATN also briefly owned Max TV after acquiring production company Vidcom from Reston Griffiths.[4]

Despite these developments, the service faced persistent funding shortfalls and operational uncertainties. It ceased broadcasting in early 1997.[5] A frequently cited example of controversy surrounding the network’s finances was Tuku Morgan’s purchase of a NZ$89 pair of underwear using station funds.[4]

See also

   Māori Television – a successful bilingual Māori-language television service

   Te Reo (TV channel) – Māori Television’s sister channel, broadcast entirely in Māori

References

  1. ^ Taylor, Alister, ed. (2001). "New Zealand Who's Who Aotearoa 2001". New Zealand Who's Who, Aotearoa. Auckland: Alister Taylor Publishers. ISSN 1172-9813.
  2. ^ Middleton, Julia (2010). "Television - Ka Rangona te Reo - The Development of Māori-language Television Broadcasting in Aotearoa New Zealand". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Baby broadcaster put Maori on TV". Sunday News. 2 February 1997.
  4. ^ a b Bertram, Gavin (18 July 2014). "Max TV - Not given lightly". Audio Culture. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  5. ^ Dunleavy, Trisha (29 October 2014). "Television - Māori television". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 August 2015.
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