Right from the beginning, Māori Television, now Whakaata Māori, did things differently.
The broadcaster was established in 2004, with early shows like Homai Te Pakipaki like nothing else on Kiwi TV at that time.
Veteran broadcaster Julian Wilcox said people turned up “just wanting to sing”” for the interactive karaoke competition filmed live at Māori TV Studios.
“No matter how old they were, no matter what size they were, no matter how high they were on the elixir of life, turning up and just wanting to sing.”
Ask Your Auntie was another early favourite.
This half-hour studio-based series gathered a strong reputation for straight up wisdom from the “Aunties” — a rotating panel of wahine.
Former host Ella Henry said to this day there is no show she has seen that honours Māori wahine as “smart, sassy, and sexy”.
But it wasn’t just making strides in the entertainment department, Māori Television had serious cultural chops too.
It was the first broadcaster to make ANZAC Day commemorations an all-day event.
Supporters say above all, it pushes the use of our indigenous language.
One of the stations’ two channels is for fluent Te Reo speakers.
Whakaata Māori kaihautū Shane Taurima said the broadcaster was part of a “much larger movement” created years ago when Māori first said “no more”.
“We want the right to be able to speak our language, we want the right to be able to tell our stories in our ways.”
Celebrating 20 years comes at a time where the media sector is struggling, and Taurima said Whakaata Māori is at risk of losing $31 million over the next four years.
“In 2022 and in the last Budget, we received temporary funding, but we’re at risk of losing that funding over the next couple of years.
“We currently have an annual total budget of just under $50 million, we’re at risk of losing a quarter of that within four years’ time.”
Shareholding Minister Nicola Willis said that while all Budget discussions are kept under wraps she acknowledges the “great achievement” of 20 years.
“I know that they’ve created a dedicated audience and that is to be celebrated.”