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Tākaro Pāpāho
Application Guidelines

Congratulations to the following Aho Shorts film projects

Congratulations to the following pitch recipients of Aho Shorts Development Grants

Overview

Tākaro Pāpāho is a pilot programme designed to introduce fluent te reo Māori speakers from across the motu to the world of sports commentary. Through a series of in-person wānanga, participants will develop their reo, technical skills, and on-screen confidence across rugby and rugby league.

The programme aims to identify and grow new talent, with a strong emphasis on increasing the number of female commentators in the industry. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with leading broadcasters including Rangiata Sky TV, Whakaata Māori and Te Reo Tātaki TVNZ, gaining insight into real-world broadcasting environments.

Up to ten participants will be selected for the programme – a series of four one-day wānanga between May and April. Through this experience, participants will acquire foundational skills in sport commentary, build industry connections and learn alongside other tauira who want to pursue sports media and broadcasting mahi.

Tākaro Pāpāho is presented by Ngā Aho Whakaari; funded by Te Mātāwai; in association with Te Māngai Pāho and the NZ Film Commission with the support of Rangiata Sky TV, Whakaata Māori and Te Reo Tātaki, TVNZ.

Join Ngā Aho Whakaari

Applicants must:

The number of participants selected will be at the discretion of the selection panel.

  • Applications Open: Tuesday, 20 May at 9am NZST
  • Applications Close: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST
  • Successful Applicants Notified By: Thursday 17 July
  • Initial Sessions: 1hr meeting between 18-20 July
  • In-Person Wānanga: 27–29 July & 23 August
  • Additional Commitments (completed in your own time):
    - Submit requested pre-wānanga materials by 24 July
    - Redrafting Scripts: 30 July-22 August
    - Redrafting Pitch Materials: 25 August-5 September

Applicants may apply as individuals or as part of a team (Writer, Director, Producer). Each person must submit an individual application.

To apply:

  • Complete the Cover Sheet via this [LINK]
  • And email the following to shorts@ngaahowhakaari.org with the subject line:
    Aho Shorts Development Lab Application – [Your Project Title]
    • The role-specific application materials listed below
    • CV including short bio, filmography, festivals your work has screened at and/or awards you've won
Writer Application Materials

Please send your Draft Script (a treatment may be accepted in some cases but your application will be stronger if at scripted phase) and one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Project Title, Logline (max 2 sentences) & Short Synopsis (max 150 words)
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Does your film have reo Māori in it? What percentage? Also include a short summary of any key Māori elements, themes, or tikanga within the story. We aim to support a range of projects.
  • Writer’s Statement (max 300 words) – Why this story. And, why now?
  • Long-Term Goals (max 300 words) – How does this short film fit into your bigger vision?
Producer Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Producer Statement (max 300 words) – Your experience, approach, what type of stories you want to tell & what creatives you want to work with.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Goals Statement (max 150 words) – What do you want to get out of this development lab?
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that shares commonalities with producing and signals your readiness for this step.
Director Application Materials

Please send one PDF (max 5 pages) that includes:

  • Director Statement (max 300 words) – Outline your experience so far as a director and what type of stories you want to tell.
  • Director Creative Statement (max 300 words) – Statement on a director you admire incl. reference to the craft. Show an understanding of specific creative elements with examples from the director's work.
  • Reo Māori Statement (max 150 words) – Tell us about a time you worked on a project with Māori elements incl. reo, themes, or tikanga both within the story and in production.
  • Career Statement (max 150 words) – What are your long-term career goals?
  • A link to your previous work – If you don't have a completed work then provide a commentary on an aspect of your life that is creative and signals your readiness for this step incl. imagery.

All applications will be reviewed by a panel made up of representatives from Ngā Aho Whakaari, Caravan Carpark Films, New Zealand Film Commission and at least one independent assessor.

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for additional information or a brief interview.

The successful teams will be invited to an exclusive development wānanga with industry mentors, to help prepare you for production. To engage our internationally recognised creatives, some of whom are based offshore, these wānanga may be facilitated online.

Ngā Aho Whakaari will facilitate these wānanga and act as Executive Producer to support your kaupapa.

NZFC Chain of Title Information Sheet
NZFC New Zealand Content - Information Sheet
NZFC Short Film Festival Market Guide
NZFC Tips and Resources - Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Ngā Aho Whakaari Shorts Coversheet
WATCH: Aho Shorts 2024 Producer & Director Seminar 2024

Table of contents

Applicants Criteria

  • Be fluent speakers of te reo Māori
  • Have a strong interest in sport, the cohort will be specialising in  rugby and/or rugby league
  • Demonstrate confidence, personality, and potential for on-screen presence
  • Have strong communication and storytelling abilities
  • Be open to learning both creative and technical aspects of broadcasting
  • Be reliable and able to commit to all wānanga and programme requirements
  • Show a willingness to grow, take feedback, and develop the craft

Wāhine are strongly encouraged to apply as part of our commitment to increasing female representation in sports commentary

Who Can Apply

You can apply if you:

  • Are fluent in te reo Māori
  • Have a strong understanding of rugby union and/or rugby league
  • Have a passion for sport and an interest in sports commentary
  • Are available to attend all in-person wānanga in Tāmaki Makaurau
  • Are committed to developing your skills in broadcasting

Key Dates

Details are still being finalised. All wānanga will take place in Tāmaki Makaurau at Whakaata Māori, Sky and TVNZ. Applicants must be available to attend all scheduled wānanga.

Compulsory Wānanga Dates:

  • Wānanga 1 – one day in the last week of May
  • Wānanga 2 – one day in the last week of June
  • Wānanga 3 – one day in the last week of July
  • Masterclass - August (this will be online only)

The specialised masterclass is designed for experienced commentators in preparation for the upcoming rugby and rugby league seasons. As part of this, our Tira Hou participants will be invited to join the wānanga, providing a unique opportunity to observe and gain deeper mātauranga through this tuakana-led learning environment.

We have a limited amount of pūtea to support travel. Further details regarding travel and accommodation support will be provided to successful applicants.

Apply Here

Applications are now open.

Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 12 April

To apply, please complete the application form here: APPLY HERE

As part of your application, you will be required to:

  • Complete all sections of the application form
  • Watch two provided video clips
  • Submit two videos of yourself delivering a commentary example based on the clips (approx one minute in duration)

This is your opportunity to showcase your reo, delivery style, and potential as a sports commentator.

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed by an experienced selection panel.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified by 19 April & will be required to participate in a te reo Māori interview during the week beginning 20 April.

Successful applicants will be notified by 26 April.

If your circumstances or availability change before this date, please contact us at takaropapaho@ngaahowhakaari.org.

Questions?

For more information or pātai please get in touch with us at takaropapaho@ngaahowhakaari.org

Terms & Conditions

Can be found here: Read Terms & Conditions