September 2020 Funding Decisions

Head High 2, 8 x 44 mins, South Pacific Pictures for Three, up to $6,070,000 plus a platform contribution reduction of $416,000. The Roberts/O'Kane whānau return, bringing all the drama and emotion as their sons strive for rugby careers and learn there’s a price to success.

Mean Mums 3, 8 x 22 mins, South Pacific Pictures for Three, up to $1,110,000 plus a platform contribution reduction of $192,000. A family friendly sitcom celebrating school mums in all their crazy, earnest, exhausted glory.

SIS 2.0, 6 x 22 mins, Culture Factory for Prime and Comedy Central NZ (free-access), up to $1,751,342 plus a platform contribution reduction of $240,000. SIS returns as a six-part sketch show that addresses weighty cultural issues with 'unique comedic aplomb.'

Wellington Paranormal 4, 6 x 22 mins, New Zealand Documentary Board for TVNZ 2, up to $2,590,000 plus a platform contribution reduction of $168,000. Paranormal Officers Minogue and O'Leary continue to investigate supernatural activity in our capital city.

7 Days 2021, 20 x 23 mins, Mediaworks TV for Three, up to $792,375 plus a platform contribution reduction of $633,900. 7 Days sees New Zealand's top comedians pit their wits against the week's news and each other.

Kura 2, 6 x 15 mins, Plus6Four Entertainment for TVNZ OnDemand, up to $500,000 plus a platform contribution reduction of $46,000. After choosing to remain in Papakura instead of leaving for a new life on the Gold Coast, Billy-John finds himself in an even bigger dilemma.

New Zealand Today 2, 10 x 22 mins, Kevin and Co for Three, up to $876,879 plus a platform contribution reduction of $240,000. Guy Williams goes on an adventure to investigate weird and wonderful stories from the heart of New Zealand.

Raised By Refugees, 6 x 22 mins, Kevin and Co for Prime, up to $979,380 plus a platform contribution reduction of $144,000. Comedian Pax Assadi invites viewers into the confusing, and at times harsh, reality of being a part-Pakistani part-Iranian kid growing up in post-9/11 Aotearoa.

Someday Stories 2021, 6 x 10 mins, Connected Media Trust for Stuff, up to $230,000 plus a platform contribution reduction of $800. Short sustainability focused films made by emerging New Zealand film-makers that push the envelope, take story risks and look to the future.

Ahikāroa 4, 20 x 26 mins, Kura Productions for Māori TV and TVNZ OnDemand, up to $425,000. A realistic snapshot of young urban Māori mindsets, the bilingual drama series Ahikāroa returns for a fourth season, continuing to deliver gritty, funny and sexy storylines to engage rangatahi audiences.

Creamerie (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 6 x 22 mins, Creamerie Limited for TVNZ 2, up to $199,175

Patriot Brains (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 10 x 44 mins, The Downlowconcept for TVNZ 2, up to $105,080

One Lane Bridge 2 (additional), 5 x 44 mins, Great Southern Television for TVNZ 1, up to $22,450

Tokyo 2021 Paralympics: We All Participate, 12 x 23 mins, Attitude Pictures for TVNZ 1, up to $500,000. Follow the fortunes of our champion Paralympic athletes at the Tokyo 2021 games. (Funded from the Prime Minister’s Emerging Priorities Fund.)

The Black Ferns: Wāhine Toa, 2 x 45 mins, Warner Bros. Production TV for Prime, up to $386,167 plus platform contribution reduction of $84,000. An intimate two-part documentary profiling the Māori and Pasifika women in the world champion Black Ferns rugby team.

O’Town Dreaming, 8 x 15 mins, Bloom Pictures for TVNZ OnDemand, up to $358,743 plus platform contribution reduction of $31,888. Profiles of young talented artists striving to make a future for themselves against the urban backdrop of Ōtara.

Asian Art Stars Aotearoa, 6 x 22 mins, Diva Productions for RNZ, up to $276,049. 18 mini-profiles on young pan-Asian NZ artists, and exploring themes of cultural identity.

Panthers: The Next Chapter, 7 x 13 mins, Four Knight’s Film for TVNZ OnDemand, up to $270,041 plus platform contribution reduction of $24,003. A factual companion to TVNZ 1's The Panthers, this webseries aims to engage young Pacific audiences with their history and place in this country.

Giants, 7 x 26 mins, Fire Fire for Māori Television, up to $255,578. Legacy, whakapapa, and heritage is explored through the lens of different migrant communities in Aotearoa.

Queer & Here, 6 x 26 mins, Jack Media for Māori Television, up to $224,000. A fresh factual series hosted by Aniwa Whaiapu Koloamatangi thats takes us on an adventurous journey among the LGBTQIA+ community.

Portrait Of A Quiet Revolutionary, 1 x 46 mins, Tawera Productions for Mana Trust / E-Tangata, up to $158,606 plus platform contribution reduction of $1,320. An intimate biographical documentary about one of our leading Māori academics - activist and societal commentator Moana Jackson.

#Digital Fagogo, 8 x 5 mins, Tikilounge Productions for TheCoconet.tv, up to $134,700. This series uses videos and podcasts to look at the Pacific storytelling taonga and artform that is Fāgogo.

Attitude 2021, 30 x 23 mins, Attitude Pictures for TVNZ 1, up to $1,876,967. A series highlighting how ordinary Kiwis respond to adversity and empowering people by sharing their stories.

Tagata Pasifika 2021, 50 x 23 + 2 x 90 mins, SunPix for TVNZ 1, up to $1,781,974. A Pacific Islands current affairs, talanoa, sports, issues, events and entertainment programme.

Fresh 2021, 35 x 23 mins, Tikilounge Productions for TVNZ 2, up to $1,765,000. Fresh is a special brand of cross-cultural Māori & Pasifika content exploring rangatahi issues and passions.

Unbreakable 2, 6 x 44 mins, Storymaker for TVNZ 1, up to $727,904 plus platform contribution reduction of $264,000. Season two brings a brand-new cast of inspirational bucket-listers determined to follow their dreams.

Breaking Silence 2, 8 x 10 mins, Magnetic Pictures for Stuff.co.nz, up to $242,364 plus platform contribution reduction of $4,000. A documentary series that confronts the issue of domestic abuse in New Zealand.

Loading Docs: Tūmanako / Hope, 8 x 8 mins, Notable Pictures for LoadingDocs.net, up to $195,342. A short documentary initiative that will produce eight documentaries united by the theme of Tūmanako / Hope.

Rural Delivery 2021, 10 x 23 mins, Showdown Productions for TVNZ 1, up to $156,109. Rural Delivery recognises and celebrates the stories of New Zealanders working and living in the rural sector.

The Nutters Club 2021, 48 x 90 mins, The Key To Life Charitable Trust for Newstalk ZB, up to $81,680 plus platform contribution reduction of $46,080. A radio show discussing key issues in mental health and encouraging us all to take ownership of our own health and well being.

He Kākano Ahau 2, 7 x 45 mins, Ursula Grace Films for RNZ, up to $79,435 plus platform contribution reduction up to $9,200 (for Re; secondary platform). He Kākano Ahau is a podcast that prioritises uniquely Maori and youth-focused world views.

Real Life With John Cowan 2021, 48 x 22 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $38,448. A weekly chat show, featuring high-profile guests talking about their life, upbringing, passions and their view of the world.

Christmas 2020, 18 x 51 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $34,174. 18 hours of creative, award-winning Christmas Eve and Christmas Day radio.

Easter 2021, 12 x 54 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for NewstalkZB, up to $32,799. A mix of thoughtful Easter-focused commentary and interviews.

Cowland (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 6 x 22 mins, TVNZ for Re:, up to $20,850

Scratched: Aotearoa's Lost Sporting Legends 2 (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 6 x 10 mins, Hex Work for The Spinoff, up to $23,000

New Zealand International Comedy Gala 2020 (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 2 x 66 mins + 1 x 15 mins, Augusto for TVNZ 2, up to $8,852

House Talk (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 10 x 5 mins + 3 x 25 mins, Crux for RNZ, up to $9,633

Aotearoa Music Awards 2020 (additional from Screen Sector Relief Fund), 1 x 1,240 mins, Mediaworks for Three, up to $48,500

Extreme Cake Sports, 10 x 15 mins, Good Times Company for HEIHEI, up to $378,715. Reality series where teams compete in sports and maths challenges in order to obtain ingredients for a cake making contest.

Life Savers, 10 x 10 mins, Scottie Douglas Productions for HEIHEI, up to $300,000. Profiles of junior life savers from Mount Maunganui Surf Live Saving Club as they train toward the 2021 Oceans contest.

What Now 2021, 40 x 117 mins, Whitebait Media for TVNZ 2, TVNZ OnDemand and HEIHEI, up to $3,253,000. Up to $3,253,000. Sunday morning children’s programme teeming with fun, games and gunge.

Brain Busters 2021, 155 x 25 mins, Whitebait Media for TVNZ 2, TVNZ OnDemand and HEIHEI, up to $2,675,000. A daily quiz show that sees Kiwi kids compete in a series of increasingly tricky challenges involving maths, memory, spelling and more.

Code Fun 2, 30 x 15 mins, Pickled Possum Productions for TVNZ 2 and TVNZ OnDemand, up to $499,053. A fun, highly interactive programme helping preschoolers take their first steps into the exciting world of digital technology.

Young Riders 3, 20 x 10 mins, Greenstone TV for HEIHEI, up to $477,764. This series profiles four new riders who will be competing in Eventing - a combination of cross country, dressage and show jumping.

K-Pop Academy 2, 8 x 15 mins, Greenstone TV for HEIHEI, up to $425,146. Graduates of season one return to mentor their own groups from within their own schools and communities.

Taiohi Gods, 8 x 6 mins, Mahi Tahi Media for HEIHEI, up to $499,778. This series follows the adventures of a whānau of teenaged Māori gods living in contemporary times as they learn to control their powers.

Bird’s Eye View, 8 x 5 mins, Sweetshop & Green for HEIHEI, up to $344,500. Animation series about a group of native birds that entertain themselves by observing and commenting on the absurd behaviours of humans.

Endling, 8 x 6 mins, Tomorrow Rain for HEIHEI, up to $325,215. Animation series that explores a place filled with should-be-extinct creatures and supernatural happenings through the eyes of a young girl.

Weirdos, 12 x 11 mins, Ready Steady Studio for HEIHEI, up to $300,000. An animated series about a group of ‘weirdos’ who meet at a bizarre dance class, where they discover their most original moves and invent whacky ways to confront all the out-of-whack situations in their world.

Goodbye A.I., 10 x 8 mins, Foundation Animation for HEIHEI, up to $252,410. Animation / Live Action series about two rejected robots who awaken at an Auckland refuse centre and embark on a quest to return home to Invercargill.

The Feijoa Club 2, 6 x 10 mins, Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions for HEIHEI, up to $500,00. Sitcom series about a diverse team of kids, known as The Feijoa Club, who solve mysteries in their home community of Taranaki.

The Drawing Show 3, 13 x 4 mins, Mukpuddy Animation for HEIHEI, up to 260,000. This series stars Penny and her friends as they teach viewers how to draw their favourite things.

Suzy And Friends 2021, 53 x 45 mins, Treehut for Various Stations, up to $136,000. A radio show that shares Kiwi kids voices, stories, and songs.

Children's - Games

Postcards From Aotearoa, Method Studios for HEIHEI, up to $75,000. A dress-up game where players must ready themselves with clothing and accessories as they prepare to visit real New Zealand landmarks.

Handle The Jandal, Watermark Creative for HEIHEI, up to $70,000. A last-player-standing arena game set in the world of The Vloggingtons'.

Mitts, Resn Global for HEIHEI, up to $70,000. A reaction game that is the digital (and less painful) successor to the school yard version of 'slapsies.'

Critters – An Adventure Puzzle Game, Gamefroot for HEIHEI, up to $69,675. An adventure-puzzle game that sends players on a treasure hunt for items of kiwiana in underground caves and tunnels of Aotearoa.

Kunekune Shopkeeper, Tough Love Tonic for HEIHEI, up to $50,477. A trade simulation game where the player controls a kunekune pig who trades different fruits with a variety of happy customers.

Mū Tōrere, Adrenalin for HEIHEI, up to $45,878. A digital version of a traditional Māori board game played by two players on an eight-pointed, star-shaped board.

New Music Project

Bakers Eddy, Mushroom Group NZ, up to 35,000

Baynk, NicNak Media, up to $40,000

Blkcity, Great Things, up to $40,000

Kimbra, August Avenue, up to $40,000

Ladyhawke, NicNak Media, up to $32,800

Mel Parsons, NicNak Media, up to $30,000

Miss June, CRS Music Management, up to $30,000

Mousey, The Label, up to $40,000

Play It Strange 2020 Recordings, Play It Strange Trust, up to $40,000

New Music Single – up to $10,000 each project

Abby Christo, Bring Your Body

Abby Wolfe, Lose Myself

Carb On Carb, Be My Mirror

Cases, Feel Like This ft. Cassie Henderson

Chelsea Jade, Good Taste

Deadbeat, Rage

Die! Die! Die!, Keep On (Kicking)

Finn Andrews / The Veils, Time

Hans Pucket, My Brain Is A Vacant Space

Jackson Owens, Just Loving You

Jed Parsons, Feeling Sad

Jenny Mitchell, Somehow

Jol, Theorize

Kane Strang, Moat

Lévyne, Misconcptions

Lips, Stop Looking At Me

Mazbou Q, Don't Stop Regardless

Mel Parsons, Carry On

Nadia Reid, Woman, Apart

Noah Slee, Seuke

Nouri, Problem

Otosan, Nowhere ft. Julia Lostrom

Popstrangers, In Spirit

Sally, Bad Mood

So Below, Fear

Terrible Sons, You Are The Gold

Vallé, Prodigy

Womb, Dust To Dust

Cee Bluedy, Trying

Diaz Grimm, Manuka

La Felix, Unlovable

Lion Rezz, Rockin

Maisey Rika, Waitī Waitī

Pacific Heights, In Bloom ft. Georgia Lines

Pickle Darling, Achieve Lift!

Riiki, In The Moment

Sit Down In Front, Don't Push The Buttons

The Datsuns, Brain To Brain

Truth, Pass Me By ft. Lelijveld

New Music Kids – up to $10,000 each project

Anna van Riel, Waste Free Wanda

Captain Festus McBoyle, Breathe and Pants

Chester Travis, New Zoo

Chris Lam Sam, The Octopus Song

Chris Sanders, The Songs and The Stories for Kids

Claudia Robin Gunn, Seasons

Deano Yipadee, Deano Yipadee the Singing Author

fleabite, A Pirate Meets a Flea

HMG Kids, HMG Kids

Jed Parsons, Jeff Parsnip

Judi Cranston, Happy Minds

Kath Bee, What’s Bugging You?

Little Ripples, Little Bee

Moana Maniapoto and Paddy Free, Island of Mystery

Moe & Friends, Moe Makes Music

Mr Roberelli, Where’s the Piwakawaka?

Music With Michal, I Feel…

Rainbow Rosalind, The Sign Language Song

The Front Lawn, Kiri and Lou Singalongs 2

The Nukes, The Nukes 2020 project

Taite Music Prize 2021, Independent Music NZ, up to $10,000

SPADA Screen Industry Awards 2020, SPADA, up to $7,000

NZ Radio Awards 2021, Radio Broadcasters Association, up to $7,500

Doc Edge Awards 2021, The Documentary New Zealand Trust, up to $10,000

Doc Edge Industry Forum 2021, The Documentary New Zealand Trust, up to $15,000

Songhubs Aotearoa, APRA, up to $100,000

Doc Edge Industry Clinics 2021, The Documentary New Zealand Trust, up to $15,000