NZ On Air has committed $9.35m in funding in its latest decisions for special interest television programmes, many of them offering insights to and appreciation of our multi-ethnic culture.
A second series of Arranged, featuring arranged marriages and gorgeous weddings in a range of cultures in New Zealand will screen on TV3.
Also returning and bringing multiple ethnic voices to screens are Fresh, Tagata Pasifika, Neighbourhood and Both Worlds.
The award-winning team at Attitude will be back with more stories shaping attitudes towards disability. And in election year Back Benches will continue to shine a spotlight on politicians, and Media Take will be keeping an eye on the media. Agricultural show Rural Delivery is also set to return.
“Our job is to reflect New Zealand’s diverse cultures. These programmes have a high cultural value, as they bring diversity to our screens, and increase understanding of what’s different and the same about the diverse groups within our society,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.
Also funded is a new one-off documentary taking us into hard hat territory with the crews working to demolish buildings in the red zone following the Christchurch quakes. The Demolition Team, for Prime, brings together never before seen images of the crews, and the dangers they faced each day.
Funding details
Attitude 2017, 30 x ½ hr plus extra online, Attitude Pictures for TVOne, $1,787,300
Fresh 2017, 37 x ½ hr, Tikilounge Productions for TV2, $1,766,125
Tagata Pasifika 2017, 49 x ½ hr & 2 x 1hr, Sunpix for TVOne, $1,600,000
Neighbourhood 6, 30 x ½ hr,Satellite Media for TVOne, $1,249,964
Rural Delivery 2017, 35 x ½ hr, Showdown Productions for TVOne, $1,000,003
Back Benches 2017, 20 x 1hr, TVNZ for Prime, $617,798
Arranged 2, 6 x 1 hr, Notable Pictures for TV3, $504,677
Media Take 4, 20 x ½ hr, Top Shelf Productions for Māori Television, $479,865
Both Worlds 6, Notable Pictures for TV3, 8 x ½ hr, $349,516
The Demolition Team, 1 x 1 hr, Broadcast Media TV for Prime, $83,000