Essential information

Supporting resources

Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Development Funds focus on different areas of project development, providing for Māori specific outcomes.

What we fund

There are three funds under the Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Project Development Fund that focus on different areas of project development. 

  • Hāpaitia Te Kaupapa Kiriata: Māori Feature Film Support Fund - bespoke development support for Māori led projects.  
  • Tuhinga Reo Māori: Te Reo Māori Development Fund - development support for projects in te reo Māori
  • He Ara: Pathway for Māori and Pacific Island Screen Practitioners Fund - support for Māori and/or Pacific Island filmmakers to create a diverse range of quality New Zealand films shaped through their own development framework

Who can apply

Hāpaitia Te Kaupapa Kiriata: Māori Feature Film Support Fund 

  • The director must be Māori 
  • The project and content should be led by the Māori key creative/s  
  • The team should include strong representation of Māori reflected in other key creative roles. 

Tuhinga Reo Māori: Te Reo Development Fund 

  • The director must be Māori 
  • The majority of the script/film should be in te reo Māori  
  • The content should be led by the Māori key creative/s 
  • The team should include strong representation of Māori reflected in other key creative roles 
  • Short films, interactive and/or series drama projects will be considered, however priority will be given to the development of feature film projects 

He Ara - Pathway for Māori and Pacific Island Screen Practitioners Fund 

Please go to the He Ara page for more information and to view the full guidelines for this fund.

How to apply

To apply for the Whakawhanake Kiriata: Māori Film Development Funds please use the Early, Documentary or Advanced Development Fund forms and indicate that your project includes Māori content on the first page. 

Apply using our online application portal at https://funding.nzfilm.co.nz/.

Apply now

When your application is received, it will be checked for eligibility and that all relevant information is included.  Once your application is confirmed as being eligible, you will be advised of a decision within four to six weeks.

What you need

Hāpaitia Te Kaupapa Kiriata: Māori Feature Film Support Fund and Tuhinga Reo Māori: Te Reo Māori Development Fund  

  • Creative material - including a script* or treatment 
  • Team vision – statements from the writer, director, and producer
  • Background – history of the project, and any other projects you have with the Film Commission
  • Budget and timeline
  • Key personnel – bios of key people
  • Rights – confirmation that you have the rights to develop the screenplay or documentary treatment

*if you are applying for Tuhinga Reo Māori, the script will be in te reo Māori

He Ara – Pathway for Māori and Pacific Island Screen Practitioners Fund 

Please go to the He Ara page for more information and to view the full guidelines for this fund.

 

Project type
Audience
New Zealand Filmmakers, Mid-career filmmakers, Established filmmakers, Filmmakers with significant international profile/career, Producer, Director, Screenwriter
Funding type
Grant
Last updated: 
Friday, 18 March 2022