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Mānawatia a Matariki | June 2025 Pānui
Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
Ka ara mai a Matariki, Ka ara mai a Puanga, Ka mānawatia a Puanga, Ka Mānawatia a Matariki.
As we welcome in a new year, we are delighted to welcome a new rising star to the Ngā Aho Whakaari team.
Harata Taurima-Thomas (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui-ā-Orotū, Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine) has joined the team as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator. She brings a background in te reo Māori and social media content creation, and is passionate about empowering Māori in creative spheres. Please add her email into your contacts, comms@ngaahowhakaari.org
Nau mai, haere mai Harata.
In early July, all current members will receive notification requesting you to confirm your membership. This is to ensure compliance with the new Incorporated Societies Act which comes into effect in April 2026. It’s a simple process so please take a couple of minutes to confirm/update your details, and while you’re at it, encourage your colleagues to join up if they’re not already members. We welcome anyone who supports our kaupapa – Tangata Tiriti can join as ‘Friends’ and it is free to join. Our strength is in our numbers and in our Kotahitanga. If you have any questions about membership, reach out to our friendly Membership Manager Sonara Southcombe-Wallace: sonara@ngaahowhakaari.org
As we welcome in the new year, what better way to lift our spirits than enjoying this Waiata Anthems banger from Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home (Music Video)
Ngā manaakitanga o Matariki ki runga i a koutou katoa – kia haumaru, kia hari, kia tau te wairua i tēnei wā o te tau hou Māori.
Sonara Southcombe-Wallace
Executive Coordinator & Membership Manager
Harata Taurima-Thomas
Social Media & Comms Coordinator
Kay Ellmers
Te Tumu Whakarae | Executive Director
Aho Shorts film Rapido Wins Best Live Action Short Film at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Toronto, Canada.
Ngā Aho Whakaari is proud to celebrate the success of Rapido, one of the films from the most recent Aho Shorts programme, which has taken out the Live Action Short Film Award at the prestigious imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 2025. The accolade is a significant international achievement in an Oscar® qualifying category — meaning Rapido is now eligible for consideration for the Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
NZ Writers Guild Associate Member Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of the New Zealand Writers Guild Associate Memberships, generously offered by the NZWG to support emerging screenwriters. These memberships will provide access to a supportive community, professional resources, and industry advocacy. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou!
Top L-R: Te Kohe Tuhaka, Lanita Ririnui, Cleo Fraser,
Bottom L-R: Rahera Soloman, Regan Butler, Ashley Evans-Brooks.
Successful applicants for
Big Screen Symposium scholarships
Congratulations to our five successful applicants for BSS scholarships, funded by Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga: Leigh Minarapa, Jayde Hudson, Kelly Mitchell, Regan Butler, Uenukuterangihoka Jefferies.
An additional three more of our members received scholarships through other guilds: Vanessa Patea, Ngarima Ioasa and Ashley Pye.
Ngā Aho Whakaari had such a great engagement for this scholarship through Script-to-Screen, we’ve further sponsored the remainder of our applicants:
Louise Foster, Karen Sidney and Kathryn Graham.
What a great presence we will have at BSS! Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou!
Doc Edge Industry Pass
Giveaway Winners
Doc Edge Industry is a 4-day screen professional event from 30 June - 3rd July covering forums, market and pitching. To celebrate 20 years, Doc Edge are sponsored two four-day industry passes in Tāmaki to Ngā Aho Whakaari members.
Ka nui te mihi ki a Regan Butler me Cleo Fraser, ngā kaiwhiwhi o tēnei whakataetae. Wehi Nā!
Stacey Morrison honoured at NZ Radio and Podcast Awards
Whakanuia a Stacey Morrison, who was honoured at the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards for her outstanding contribution to radio. Speaking with warmth and gratitude about her journey alongside fellow broadcasters, Morrison said:
“Finally and surprisingly to me in 2025, I must ask and plea that you have your continued aroha and you take the opportunity to uplift te reo Māori in your work practice."
Aho Shorts Development Lab 2025
Discover the Aho Shorts Development Lab — a unique opportunity for Māori writers, directors, and producers to develop short film projects through mentorship and wānanga. Refine your script, vision, and pitch to unlock funding opportunities. We’re seeking passionate creatives ready to lead and bring authentic Māori stories to life. Open to all experience levels—apply now and join a thriving Māori filmmaking community!
Applications Close: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST
Successful Applicants Notified By: Thursday 17 July
48Hour Film Making Competition
GIVEAWAY
Enter our giveaway for the 48Hour Film Making competition, with shoot weekend confirmed for the 15th-17th August 2025.
Check out the 48Hour website here
NZ Film Commission
International Placement Initiative
The NZFC Placement Grants support writers, directors, and producers to advance their careers through significant local or international placements, such as working on feature film productions or with production companies across all areas of the filmmaking process—from development and financing to post-production, distribution, and marketing. For 2025/26, the NZ Film Commission has secured six international placements with leading global film companies. These opportunities are open to creatives who have received NZFC development funding or participated in intensive NZFC-funded programmes such as Episode One, Moana Pasifika Women Screenwriters Programme, Story Camp Aotearoa, A Wave in the Ocean, or the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab. Successful applicants will receive a one-off grant of up to $60,000 NZD + GST (if applicable) to support their placement.
Applications close in late June or early July.
Acting Up! For Screen Acting Workshops
Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland screen actors / creatives,
There are 2x Acting Up! For Screen workshops in July to help level up your screen journey.
· Sun 6th July, 1000-1500 (#17)
· Mon 7th July, 1600-2100 (#18)
Cost is $125pp (non-refundable) and secures your spot. Spaces are limited. Workshops are inclusive, safe, fun, and holistic.
Register / more info at actingupforscreen.com, hosted by AU!FS Director, Nikki Si'ulepa.
Submission to the New Zealand Parliament: Regulatory Standards Bill
Just in case your social media feeds are not already filled with reminders on this – the deadline for making a submission is 1.00pm June 23rd.
Ngā Aho Whakaari has made a submission opposing the bill as we believe in represents a significant threat to the ability of future governments to enact regulations that uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and enhance equity for Māori.
Specifically for our sector - Māori in the screen industry rely on regulatory and funding frameworks that acknowledge our collective identity, our reo me ōna tikanga, and our Treaty relationship with the Crown. The Bill introduces significant uncertainty and potential constraint on regulatory mechanisms that support Māori language revitalisation, Māori content quotas, and cultural safeguards in broadcasting, copyright, and IP.
We asserted that such protections and supports are not burdensome regulation — they are necessary correctives to ensure Māori stories are visible, respected, and resourced.
Want to share your events, initiatives, or announcements with us?
We'd love to feature them in future pānui! Drop us a line at
Tēnā koutou e te whānau,
Ka ara mai a Matariki, Ka ara mai a Puanga, Ka mānawatia a Puanga, Ka Mānawatia a Matariki.
As we welcome in a new year, we are delighted to welcome a new rising star to the Ngā Aho Whakaari team.
Harata Taurima-Thomas (Ngāti Kahungunu ki te Whanganui-ā-Orotū, Ngāti Porou, Rongomaiwahine) has joined the team as the Social Media and Communications Coordinator. She brings a background in te reo Māori and social media content creation, and is passionate about empowering Māori in creative spheres. Please add her email into your contacts, comms@ngaahowhakaari.org
Nau mai, haere mai Harata.
In early July, all current members will receive notification requesting you to confirm your membership. This is to ensure compliance with the new Incorporated Societies Act which comes into effect in April 2026. It’s a simple process so please take a couple of minutes to confirm/update your details, and while you’re at it, encourage your colleagues to join up if they’re not already members. We welcome anyone who supports our kaupapa – Tangata Tiriti can join as ‘Friends’ and it is free to join. Our strength is in our numbers and in our Kotahitanga. If you have any questions about membership, reach out to our friendly Membership Manager Sonara Southcombe-Wallace: sonara@ngaahowhakaari.org
As we welcome in the new year, what better way to lift our spirits than enjoying this Waiata Anthems banger from Rob Ruha, Troy Kingi and Kaylee Bell Matariki Hunga Nui - Calling Me Home (Music Video)
Ngā manaakitanga o Matariki ki runga i a koutou katoa – kia haumaru, kia hari, kia tau te wairua i tēnei wā o te tau hou Māori.
Sonara Southcombe-Wallace
Executive Coordinator & Membership Manager
Harata Taurima-Thomas
Social Media & Comms Coordinator
Kay Ellmers
Te Tumu Whakarae | Executive Director
Aho Shorts film Rapido Wins Best Live Action Short Film at imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, Toronto, Canada.
Ngā Aho Whakaari is proud to celebrate the success of Rapido, one of the films from the most recent Aho Shorts programme, which has taken out the Live Action Short Film Award at the prestigious imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival 2025. The accolade is a significant international achievement in an Oscar® qualifying category — meaning Rapido is now eligible for consideration for the Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short Film category.
NZ Writers Guild Associate Member Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to the recipients of the New Zealand Writers Guild Associate Memberships, generously offered by the NZWG to support emerging screenwriters. These memberships will provide access to a supportive community, professional resources, and industry advocacy. Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou!
Top L-R: Te Kohe Tuhaka, Lanita Ririnui, Cleo Fraser,
Bottom L-R: Rahera Soloman, Regan Butler, Ashley Evans-Brooks.
Successful applicants for
Big Screen Symposium scholarships
Congratulations to our five successful applicants for BSS scholarships, funded by Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga: Leigh Minarapa, Jayde Hudson, Kelly Mitchell, Regan Butler, Uenukuterangihoka Jefferies.
An additional three more of our members received scholarships through other guilds: Vanessa Patea, Ngarima Ioasa and Ashley Pye.
Ngā Aho Whakaari had such a great engagement for this scholarship through Script-to-Screen, we’ve further sponsored the remainder of our applicants:
Louise Foster, Karen Sidney and Kathryn Graham.
What a great presence we will have at BSS! Ka nui te mihi ki a koutou!
Doc Edge Industry Pass
Giveaway Winners
Doc Edge Industry is a 4-day screen professional event from 30 June - 3rd July covering forums, market and pitching. To celebrate 20 years, Doc Edge are sponsored two four-day industry passes in Tāmaki to Ngā Aho Whakaari members.
Ka nui te mihi ki a Regan Butler me Cleo Fraser, ngā kaiwhiwhi o tēnei whakataetae. Wehi Nā!
Stacey Morrison honoured at NZ Radio and Podcast Awards
Whakanuia a Stacey Morrison, who was honoured at the NZ Radio and Podcast Awards for her outstanding contribution to radio. Speaking with warmth and gratitude about her journey alongside fellow broadcasters, Morrison said:
“Finally and surprisingly to me in 2025, I must ask and plea that you have your continued aroha and you take the opportunity to uplift te reo Māori in your work practice."
Aho Shorts Development Lab 2025
Discover the Aho Shorts Development Lab — a unique opportunity for Māori writers, directors, and producers to develop short film projects through mentorship and wānanga. Refine your script, vision, and pitch to unlock funding opportunities. We’re seeking passionate creatives ready to lead and bring authentic Māori stories to life. Open to all experience levels—apply now and join a thriving Māori filmmaking community!
Applications Close: Sunday, 29 June at 5pm NZST
Successful Applicants Notified By: Thursday 17 July
48Hour Film Making Competition
GIVEAWAY
Enter our giveaway for the 48Hour Film Making competition, with shoot weekend confirmed for the 15th-17th August 2025.
Check out the 48Hour website here
NZ Film Commission
International Placement Initiative
The NZFC Placement Grants support writers, directors, and producers to advance their careers through significant local or international placements, such as working on feature film productions or with production companies across all areas of the filmmaking process—from development and financing to post-production, distribution, and marketing. For 2025/26, the NZ Film Commission has secured six international placements with leading global film companies. These opportunities are open to creatives who have received NZFC development funding or participated in intensive NZFC-funded programmes such as Episode One, Moana Pasifika Women Screenwriters Programme, Story Camp Aotearoa, A Wave in the Ocean, or the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab. Successful applicants will receive a one-off grant of up to $60,000 NZD + GST (if applicable) to support their placement.
Applications close in late June or early July.
Acting Up! For Screen Acting Workshops
Kia ora Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland screen actors / creatives,
There are 2x Acting Up! For Screen workshops in July to help level up your screen journey.
· Sun 6th July, 1000-1500 (#17)
· Mon 7th July, 1600-2100 (#18)
Cost is $125pp (non-refundable) and secures your spot. Spaces are limited. Workshops are inclusive, safe, fun, and holistic.
Register / more info at actingupforscreen.com, hosted by AU!FS Director, Nikki Si'ulepa.
Submission to the New Zealand Parliament: Regulatory Standards Bill
Just in case your social media feeds are not already filled with reminders on this – the deadline for making a submission is 1.00pm June 23rd.
Ngā Aho Whakaari has made a submission opposing the bill as we believe in represents a significant threat to the ability of future governments to enact regulations that uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and enhance equity for Māori.
Specifically for our sector - Māori in the screen industry rely on regulatory and funding frameworks that acknowledge our collective identity, our reo me ōna tikanga, and our Treaty relationship with the Crown. The Bill introduces significant uncertainty and potential constraint on regulatory mechanisms that support Māori language revitalisation, Māori content quotas, and cultural safeguards in broadcasting, copyright, and IP.
We asserted that such protections and supports are not burdensome regulation — they are necessary correctives to ensure Māori stories are visible, respected, and resourced.
Want to share your events, initiatives, or announcements with us?
We'd love to feature them in future pānui! Drop us a line at