Katherine Rich
Opposition Broadcasting Spokesperson

22 June 2000

Fewer local TV shows under Labour?

The Government looks set to fund fewer New Zealand made TV programmes through NZ On Air in the coming year, despite Marian Hobbs' repeated talk about more local content.

"The Budget allocated funding for 740 hours of New Zealand programming in the coming year. That's five hours less than the National lead Government budgeted for the previous year, and nearly two whole days less local programming than in 1998," says National's Broadcasting spokesperson Katherine Rich.

"Five hours isn't a big difference, but the broadcasting industry was taking Marian Hobbs at her word and expecting the Government to fund hundreds of hours more New Zealand content. A decrease in the quantity of local shows is a real shock.

"The Broadcasting Minister stormed round the country waxing lyrical about the need to see more New Zealand stories on television. I agree with her, we do.

"But when there are less hours of New Zealand programming planned in the Budget than last year and the year before, I am not surprised that the industry is wondering whether Ms Hobbs' actions will ever match her talk," Katherine Rich says.

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