‘TAHI’ – RNZ’s new platform dedicated for young people

Launched on 1^st December 2021, TAHI is a new online, commercial-free and editorially independent platform created by – and for – rangatahi (the young people of Aotearoea, especially young Māori and Pasifika audiences aged 18-30). Its purpose is to connect young audiences with local music, stories, and culture. 40% of Tahi.fm’s music comes from local artists.  

It is new territory for the public broadcaster. The service is 100% dedicated to young people and is a chance for RNZ to reach young people in a different, unconventional way, across platforms they already consume: Spotify, YouTube, and social media platforms. “We have done a great job of connecting with older New Zealanders,” said RNZ Music Content Director, Willy Macalister, “and now TAHI will give us an opportunity to reach younger audiences.” In its promise to its audience, TAHI vows that young people deserve “one space on the internet that’s not trying to get you to spend your cash, or to take your data and sell it to someone else. And that gives you good, trustworthy, information – not fake news.” 

So far, TAHI has been well received by the music industry and audience feedback has all been overwhelmingly positive, Macalister said. But he reiterated that “this is just the start of TAHI, we really are at an embryonic stage of the project. There is so much more to come, and we are all super excited to share our vision of what public service media for young people looks like with the audience.” Things to look out for with TAHI in 2022 include original video series and podcasts. And audiences can also find out how to get involved as content makers. 

“We believe rangatahi  deserve public service media. We think you deserve one space on the internet that’s not trying to get you to spend your cash, or to take your data and sell it to someone else. And that gives you good, trustworthy, information — not fake news.” – TAHI’s promise