A Right Royal Occasion

15 July 2004

A Right Royal Occasion

In a modern-day, 12-stop television tour, TV3 viewers are about to be transported to all corners of New Zealand in a series that follows the iconic 1953/54 Royal Visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, thanks to funding from NZ On Air.

“A Queen’s Tour will be hosted by TV3 news presenter John Campbell. In a 12-part series, he will take us to the places the Queen visited 50 years ago and show us what Her Majesty would encounter if she were to visit today,” said NZ On Air’s Acting Chief Executive Bernard Duncan.

“Each programme will begin with a snapshot description of the centre being visited that week, to give a sense of what makes that particular place special – what sets it apart,” he said. “That will be followed by an interview with a prominent New Zealander who has a close affiliation with the town or city.”

“John will conduct these interviews in a similar style to those he presented on the recent Home Truths series, finding out how unique New Zealand communities shaped the New Zealanders of today, and how those communities have developed.”

A Queen’s Tour will also feature reporters Richard Langston, Jackie Brown and Carol Hirschfeld – who is also the shows’ producer – and a “live” musical performance from a popular band or musician whose roots go back to one of the weekly destinations.

“The production team has promised us an affectionate and revealing journey into the lives of New Zealanders – the unique character that makes us familiar and recognisable to each other,” said Mr Duncan.

“The use of archive footage in the context of the Royal Visit all those years ago to contrast with the New Zealand of today provides an interesting and entertaining platform from which to view our development as a country and a community,” he said. “We’re looking forward to seeing the results.”

This media release is available on the Internet at http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

ENDS

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