MĀORILAND CHARITABLE TRUST
OUR MISSION
Māoriland believes in a world where Māori and Indigenous storytelling is celebrated, empowered and central to cultural, social, and economic wellbeing.
OUR VISION
To support and uplift Māori and Indigenous creative expression through film, arts, and technology — creating opportunities for young people, artists, and communities to connect, grow, and thrive locally and globally.
OUR IMPACT
- Cultural Revitalisation: Māoriland strengthens Māori identity, language, and tikanga through creative expression.
- Wellbeing (Hauora): Participation in the arts improves mental health, reduces isolation, and fosters pride and belonging.
- Youth Empowerment: Rangatahi gain confidence, life skills, and a sense of identity through creative leadership opportunities and storytelling.
- Community Cohesion: Māoriland creates inclusive, intergenerational spaces where people feel seen, heard, and connected.
- Global Impact: Māoriland is internationally respected for creating opportunities for Māori and Indigenous creatives.
- Sustainability: By implementing sustainable practices across all activities, Māoriland is fostering behaviour change.
- Economic Impact: Māoriland grows the local and national creative economy by developing Māori talent, generating employment, and attracting audiences through world-class Indigenous arts experiences.
“You must experience the magic of Māoriland. It’s multi-faceted with amazing, enriching Indigenous stories from around the world and home.
It’s more than a film festival. It’s a space of excellence and of Indigenous healing”
Māoriland Film Festival
Audience Member
Māoriland Charitable Trust operates from the Māoriland Hub in Ōtaki, a centre of excellence in Māori and Indigenous Screen and Creative Arts.
Māoriland is a Māori-led organisation grounded in a holistic, kaupapa Māori worldview. We believe in the power of the arts to uplift, connect, and transform lives.
We deliver a year-round ecosystem of events and programmes that support artists to thrive, share their stories, and grow their practice.
Through these activities, we contribute to a vibrant global Indigenous creative sector and a future where communities thrive socially, culturally, and economically.
Māoriland is nurturing a generation of confident, connected storytellers – strengthening cultural identity, improving wellbeing, and building a more inclusive Aotearoa.
Our social investment through the Māoriland Film Festival alone delivered $23 million into the local community (2014-2024 data).
Our activities are guided by the pou, the ridgepoles that underpin all our activities; koakoa, ohooho, manaakitanga & kōtahitanga.
Who knew that in the early 1920s sunny Ōtaki by the Sea was poised to become “The Los Angelos (sic) of New Zealand’s Moving Picture Industry…”?
KOAKOA – CELEBRATION
Māoriland celebrates Indigenous excellence in film and creativity by creating and providing platforms for Māori and Indigenous filmmakers, artists and their audiences.
MĀORILAND FILM FESTIVAL
- The world’s largest international Indigenous film festival, now in its 13th year.
MĀORILAND FILMS
- Supporting Māori filmmakers to produce bold, globally resonant work.
TOI MATARAU GALLERY
- Showcasing Māori and Indigenous visual art; hosting exhibitions, residencies, and sales.
MĀORILAND PRESENTS
- Live music & performances at the Māoriland Hub where artists are uplifted through their connections with audiences.
“At Māoriland, we’ve proven that with the right support, artists can thrive – not only creatively, but financially and personally. By offering a space where their work is seen, heard, and experienced, we uplift both the artist and the wider world they inspire.”
OHOOHO
Igniting imagination, confidence and capability in young people through Te Uru Maire – the Māoriland Rangatahi Strategy.
MANU WAIRERE
- Rangatahi participate and experience the arts through weekly free performing arts classes.
M.A.T.C.H – MĀORILAND TECH CREATIVE HUB
- Kaupapa Māori Workplace training in animation, filmmaking, and game development.
NGĀ PAKIAKA
- Training the next generation of creative leaders.
E TŪ WHĀNAU RANGATAHI FILMMAKING WORKSHOPS
- Nationwide workshops for rangatahi to express their voice through film.
17,503 rangatahi engaged in workshops & training since 2014
86 graduates of workplace training programs
100% completion rate
87% workplace training graduates are working or pursuing further education
240+ FILMS PRODUCED IN WORKSHOPS AROUND AOTEAROA
“Through the M.A.T.C.H. Programme, not only did I get a plethora of post-production skills, I also got to meet many renowned people in the industry which ultimately led me into my current position.
The facilitators and whānau at Māoriland make sure to nurture each individual’s artistic style, instead of teaching via a blanketed method for everyone.”
M.A.T.C.H Graduate
MANAAKITANGA
A space of healing and belonging for Māori and for all by fostering deep relationships with community, artists, and rangatahi
MĀORILAND HUB
- A creative house for the arts, ideas, and Indigenous creativity.
MĀORILAND MAARA & KAI COLLECTIVE
- Improving access to kai in our community by sharing knowledge and building trusted community relationships.
PARAKORE
- Turning food waste into organic soil.
KŌTAHITANGA
Māoriland builds bridges between generations, cultures, and communities.
We believe the arts foster citizenship, social responsibility, and collective wellbeing.
Through a self-sustaining model of creative and cultural leadership, Māoriland connects local impact with global reach.
“Everyone is welcome at Māoriland, it is integral to the growth of our world to go and be witness to Native narrative. You can’t not leave Māoriland feeling more connected to papatūānuku. Reindigenise your mind, body, and soul!”
Māoriland Film Festival Audience Member
VISIT US
Māoriland Hub
68 Main Street Ōtaki, Kapiti Coast
Aotearoa
Opening Hours
11 am – 4 pm, Monday – Saturday
We are committed to creating environments and presenting work that upholds the mana and inspiration of our storytellers – guided by our elders and taught by our children.
We respect our audience – Māoriland is rooted in the traditions and language of the hapū and iwi of Ōtaki.
It is our honour to extend manaakitanga to all who present their work and experience those presented within Māoriland.