Māori hopes are high that the huge TV and attendance ratings of Te Matatini will mean a boost in funding in today’s budget for the iconic Māori cultural event.
Following the success of Te Matatini in Tamaki Makaurau 2023 - where more than 1.8 million Kiwis tuned in to watch, and almost 730,000 New Zealanders watched the live broadcast on TVNZ 2 - it is vitally important to keep that movement going.
Budget 2022 provided an extra $1 million to lift the funding to $2.9m and with the next Te Matatini in 2025 in Whanganui, planning has already begun.
![Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson says Māori have high Budget 2023 hopes. Photo / Supplied](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/H2KROVAMOVGIXJZNACLQNGHY5A.jpg?auth=a2a553e3e31cb02bb78da6ad72ca46e8433a734bec9adf9806d192317a187b95&width=16&height=10&quality=70&smart=true)
Māori Economic Development Minister Willie Jackson said he knows there’s high expectations for Te Matatini to receive additional funding.