Television For Toddlers To Teenagers

Toddlers, children and young adults are all winners in the latest announcement of NZ On Air funding for three new television programmes, School Rules!, Amazing Kids and Wiggly Fin.

"These projects are exciting because they are innovative, original, and will add significantly to locally made television aimed at young New Zealanders," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jo Tyndall.

"NZ On Air is currently the majority funder of locally made children’s television in New Zealand and we take the responsibility of portraying young people’s identity through television seriously," said Ms Tyndall.

School Rules! is a teenage documentary series that follows a group of sixth form students.

"We hope that School Rules! will dispel many popular misconceptions around teenagers by giving students their chance to have a say," said Ms Tyndall.

"While not all of the series’ content may gladden the heart, the focus will be on positive aspects of teenage experience," she said.

Young New Zealanders with special talents will be the focus of Amazing Kids, a one hour entertainment special featuring high achieving children aged 3 to 13 years. Television presenter Anthony Ray will search every corner of the country to find out where the next Ernest Rutherford, Kiri Te Kanawa or Edmund Hillary may come from.

"Viewers of Amazing Kids will get the chance to meet some really outstanding youngsters and their families, and discover, first-hand, their skills, hopes and ambitions," said Ms Tyndall.

"This television programme will be aspirational and inspirational. For many of these children, their achievements are a result of sheer hard work and determination," she said.

The youngest group of television fans, the pre-school to early school year ages, will be entertained and educated by a new animated children’s series set in the underwater world of Wiggly Fin.

Wiggly Fin tells the tale of a bright young fish who lives in a world of song, dance, stories and make-believe under the sea. The series features the many adventures of Wiggly and his best friend Wobbe the Shark.

"Wiggly Fin is a wonderful animation concept. It is colourful, bright and funny with lively and interesting characters, as well as having an educational aspect," said Ms Tyndall.

Wiggly Fin is a joint funding project with Te Mangai Paho. The series script will be produced in both Maori and English.

NZ On Air has allocated $291,750 to Morrison Grieve Ltd to produce 13 x 5 minute episodes of Wiggly Fin, to be broadcast by TV3.

Imagination Television will receive $411,376 to produce 1 x 1 hour and 12 x half hour episodes of School Rules!, to be broadcast by TV3.

Amazing Kids producers, Greenstone Pictures, will receive $47,000 to produce a one hour special to be broadcast by TV2.

For further information:
Jo Tyndall
Chief Executive, NZ On Air
Tel: (04) 382 9524
The media release is available on the Internet, at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

School Rules! $411,376
1 x 1 hour & 12 x ½ hour episodes
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: Bettina Hollings, Imagination Television

Wiggly Fin $291,750
13 x 5 minute episodes
Broadcaster: TV3
Producer: William Grieve, Morrison Grieve Ltd

Amazing Kids $47,000
One hour special
Broadcaster: TV2
Producer: John Harris, Greenstone Pictures

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