Unitec Current Affairs Programme on Triangle TV

Triangle Television screens current affairs programme produced at Unitec

Triangle Television is screening a series of current affairs programmes produced by second-year Unitec New Zealand film and TV students that examines some of the country’s controversial topics.

Now in its fourth year, the Studio 12 series covers seven topical subjects which are discussed by panellists with conflicting views. The programmes screen every Thursday at 7.30pm until October 28.

Triangle Television Chief Executive Officer Jim Blackman says the series represents an outstanding example of what Triangle Television is about.

“Here we have a group of Auckland students producing an intelligent series about local and national issues and the series is screening on Triangle, Auckland’s own station. This is regional television broadcasting at its best.”

The students who produced Studio 12 are studying for a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts degree at Unitec and are majoring in production, camera, sound or editing. Each student focuses on one of seven topics in the series and conducts research, selects and engages the panellists, and oversees production.

Each programme involves four panellists who have been selected because of their interest in or association with a subject and for their varying points of view.

The topics to be addressed in the 2004 series of Studio 12 are: Race relations Auckland’s waterfront Pacific Island success in higher education Business incubators Internationalisation in New Zealand Challenges facing tertiary graduates Trades in New Zealand.

Among the 28 panellists are Human Rights Commissioner Rosslyn Noonan, Judge David Williams, Auckland City Councillor Scott Milne, Tom Dodson of Southern Spars and Rigging, and Elizabeth Gollan of New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
Studio 12 project co-ordinator Christine Hanley, a senior tutor at Unitec, says working on the series requires students to develop a wide range of skills including communication, interviewing and research.

“Many students who have produced Studio 12 in past years say working on a particular subject helped them clarify and develop their point of view. It also helps students appreciate just what goes into making a public affairs programme.”

Each Unitec school is canvassed well before production begins to determine which topics are ‘hot’ and, therefore, ideal for the programme. The schools also give advice on possible panellists.

Students from as many disciplines as possible are involved in the behind-the-scenes work of Studio 12. The set has been designed by Lucy Luxton, a fourth-year Bachelor of Design student, and has been built by performance technology students.

External guidance and input from a professional programme host, director and technical producer ensure the end result is a highly professional public affairs television.

Ms Hanley says the highlight of the project for students is seeing their work, which is a highly-professional public television programme, go to air. The show is targeted to Triangle Television’s Auckland audience.

PROGRAMME DETAILS:

Programme 1 (September 16) Race relations in New Zealand: A roadmap forward

Supported by School of Health and Community Studies / School of English
and Applied Linguistics Panellists discuss race relations in New Zealand and what is required to promote increased harmony and decreased discord. Opening piece: Paul Spoonley, Massey University
Panellists:
Rosslyn Noonan, Human Rights Commissioner
Love Chile, Unitec School of Health and Community Studies
Josie Keelan, Auckland University of Technology, Maori youth development specialist
Judge David Williams, Associate Professor of Law, University of Auckland

Programme 2 (September 23) Business Incubators
Supported by School of Management and Entrepreneurship
Popular here and overseas as the answer to supporting new business and promoting growth. Panellists discuss whether business incubators are the smart way to go.
Opening piece: Andrew Hamilton, The Icehouse
Panellists:
Barbara Joy, Westsmart Incubator
Kevin Ha, AUT Technology Park
Bernadette Soares, Unitec Master of Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship student
Tom Dodson, Southern Spars & Rigging

Programme 3 (September 30) Pacific Island Retention and Success in Higher Education
Supported by Pasifika staff
Increasing numbers of Pacific Islanders are entering tertiary education but significant numbers leave without a completed qualification. Panellists explore the implications for New Zealand if this continues and what needs to happen to correct it.
Opening piece: Bruce Tasi, Hillary College
Panellists:
Shane Ta'ala, Auckland College of Education
Yvonne Hawke, Unitec, senior manager Stuart Middleton, Manukau Institute of Technology, senior manager
Linita Manu'atu, Auckland University of Technology, education specialist

Programme 4 (October 7) The Auckland Waterfront: A national or regional asset?
Supported by School of Architecture Panellists discuss their visions for the future of the Auckland waterfront as a public asset.
Opening piece: Susan McGregor, Auckland City Council planner
Panellists:
Kaaren Goodall, Committee for Auckland
Cr Scott Milne, Auckland City Council
Gordon Moller, Craig Craig Moller, architect
Dushko Bogunovich, Unitec urban designer

Programme 5 (October 14) Work/life challenges facing tertiary graduates in New Zealand
Supported by School of Accountancy, Law and Finance
As tertiary graduates enter the workforce, are they being forced to delay forming family units and other significant life decisions while they grapple with student loans and other career decisions? Panellists discuss factors affecting recruitment and employment, and factors affecting tertiary graduates and the implications for them as individuals and NZ society.
Opening piece: Juliet Casey, Pohlen Kean, human resources consultant dealing with tertiary graduates. Graeme Muir, television producer, in first cohort with student loan. Damien Lay, final year student.
Panellists:
Kerr Inkson, Massey University, Jeremy Hunt, Varsity Media and Marketing
Kate Sutton, AUSA
Keith Rankin, Unitec economics specialist

Programme 6 (October 21) Internationalisation in New Zealand
Supported by School of Languages
A new buzzword for potential growth both in education and business - but what does it actually mean for NZ businesses? Panellists discuss the opportunities and challenges internationalisation poses for NZ business.
Opening piece: Rob Scollay, APEC Centre / University of Auckland
Panellists:
Bill Watson, consultant
Nicola Meyer-Smith, AC Nielsen
Jurg Bronniman, Unitec language specialist
Elizabeth Gollan, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Programme 7 (October 28) Trades in New Zealand
Supported by Unitec Applied Technology Institute
Have you tried to hire a qualified tradesperson lately? More than 10 years without a trade apprenticeship scheme and the drive to increase university enrolments in New Zealand has resulted in a chronic nationwide shortage of qualified and skilled trades professionals. Panellists discuss the perceptions and realities of trades in New Zealand today.
Opening piece: Unitec trades students - gas fitting, pre-trade. AA mechanic
Panellists:
Mark Winson, Fresco Systems Ltd, engineering management specialist
Stewart Thompson, Howick College
Robert Brooke, Boating ITO
Martin Hall, head of Unitec Applied Technology Institute (UATI)

Triangle Television is Auckland’s only regional, non-commercial television station and has operated as a public broadcaster to Greater Auckland since August 1, 1998. The channel screens a mix of regional-access television with international news and information programmes. It is non-profit making and operates with no funding from NZ on Air. Triangle broadcasts 24 hours daily from UHF channel 41 and, in Remuera and surrounding suburbs, from UHF channel 52.

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