Aotearoa Television Network

The Aotearoa Television Network (ATN) was the first television station to broadcast primarily in the Māori language, though the venture ultimately proved unsuccessful.

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ATN originated in early 1996, when Te Māngai Pāho (TMP) invited tenders for a trial Māori-language television service to operate under a UHF licence in Auckland. The winning bid — led by Puhi Rangiaho, Tawini Rangahau, Morehu McDonald, Robert Pouwhare, and Tukuroirangi Morgan^[1] — was announced on 7 March 1996. Broadcasting began on 1 May as a pilot service, which was formalised in October that year as a regular regional station.

Due to TMP’s limited budget, ATN operated with only a 500-watt transmitter, resulting in weak or non-existent reception across much of its intended catchment area.^[2]

ATN was notable for placing Māori-language programming in primetime slots — a contrast to earlier efforts such as Te Karere, which had been broadcast in less prominent timeslots.^[3]

In 1996, ATN also briefly owned Max TV after acquiring production company Vidcom from Reston Griffiths.^[4]

Despite these developments, the service faced persistent funding shortfalls and operational uncertainties. It ceased broadcasting in early 1997.^[5] A frequently cited example of controversy surrounding the network’s finances was Tuku Morgan’s purchase of a NZ$89 pair of underwear using station funds.^[4]

See also

   Māori Television – a successful bilingual Māori-language television service

   Te Reo (TV channel) – Māori Television’s sister channel, broadcast entirely in Māori