"Broadcasters seem to be ignoring Parliament's self proclaimed Tellytubbie over her wish for more local childrens television programming," National's Katherine Rich said today.

"Marian Hobbs has said she expects TVNZ to screen more children's programmes and in particular more children's drama. But the broadcaster seems to have tuned her out.

"'Bobbie the Bus', 'Shelley T Turtle', 'William Shatner's: A Twist in the Tale', and 'The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson' are some of our most successful locally made children's programmes internationally.

"But New Zealand children haven't heard of them because, despite Marian's call for more children's drama and better children's programming, the major New Zealand networks have refused to screen them here. While other countries are enjoying more of 'New Zealand on air' our kids are missing out.

"'A Twist in the Tale', for example, is produced on location in New Zealand using New Zealand staff and production crews. Almost all of the cast are New Zealand actors speaking with kiwi accents being filmed in places which show off the best scenery New Zealand has to offer.

"I find it hard to believe that this is not the sort of quality kiwi children's programming which parents and kids alike are calling for.

"It is time local broadcasters started capitalizing on the investments already made by successful New Zealand children's television producers. I cannot fathom why those successful New Zealand children's programmes are sold and loved in over 100 countries but not screened in their country of origin," Katherine Rich said.

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