$10 Million Invested In Latest TV Funding Round

12 September 2001

NZ On Air’s latest funding round invested more than $10 million towards 17 television productions, totalling 66.5 hours, ensuring that New Zealanders will see a wide range of quality shows by, for and about New Zealand.

The programmes supported included everything from satire to drama, young people’s programmes and social issues through documentaries.

Chief executive for NZ On Air, Jo Tyndall, said that NZ On Air provides around $50 million annually to assist in the production of television programmes as diverse as Documentary New Zealand and Being Eve, the new youth drama series on TV3.

NZ On Air has funded a wide range of programmes this round, including a new TV2 documentary strand, a comedy action children’s drama series called Hard Out, programmes on issues as challenging as child abuse and the role of men in New Zealand. Plus one-off shows including a Hip Hop special The Summit, and a family entertainment programme Showstoppers.

“In its entirety, this round provides an extraordinarily diverse representation of New Zealand’s culture, our identity and our unique vision,” said Ms Tyndall.

“The NZ On Air funding goes into the production of higher cost and special interest programming, which would not otherwise be made here in a wholly commercially environment.

“About two thirds of the money in the August funding round has gone into adult and children’s drama and this investment reflects NZ On Air’s commitment to our drama strategy. Audiences everywhere want to see stories they can relate to and characters they can connect with.

“This strategy will provide a strong platform for New Zealand drama to develop and grow over the next few years,” said Ms Tyndall.

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