Kia ora and welcome to our final funding round of 2019!
The December round is for production applications intended to appeal to general audiences. Please read the full December 2019 round information here.
December funding round priorities
Factual:
- Factual projects that deal with climate change. We have set aside approximately $1.5m to support one or two high-end documentary series that explore this pressing global issue from a New Zealand and/or Pacific perspective.
- Factual genres including Current Affairs, Documentary, Information and Events
- Development for significant Factual projects with platform support.
Scripted:
- Newer Storyteller comedy and drama projects with platform support - see paragraph 10.3 of our Scripted Roadmap for further details.
- Development applications for existing Scripted projects with platform support that are applying for advanced development.
Important dates:
6 September 2019, 4pm - Funding round opens.
17 October 2019, 4pm - Application deadline.
5 December 2019 - Applicants notified - this date may be extended at NZ On Air's sole discretion
Please note: Given the limited remaining funding available the March and May 2020 rounds will be specific about the types of applications we are seeking. Please see paragraph E in the full round information for an indication of the focus of these rounds.
NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho $4m Factual co-fund
Yesterday NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho announced the details of our $4m Factual co-fund, designed to support high-quality, prime-time Māori language content that will appeal to a broad audience.
The co-fund intends to support between 4-6 innovative factual projects in 20-30% Te Reo Māori that will engage sizeable audiences in an informative and inclusive way, as well as present a wide range of diverse Māori perspectives.
For more information please read our media release here and the full RFP here.
Head Of Funding on leave
Our Head of Funding Amie Mills will be on parental leave from the end of this month. Benedict Reid will act as Head of Funding from September 30th until Christmas; and Anna Currie from January until Amie's return. Steven Gannaway will cover for each.
![Sarona Aiono-Iosefa](https://d3r9t6niqlb7tz.cloudfront.net/media/images/Iosefa_Sarona_3211.width-250.jpg)
New Board Member - Sarona Aiono-Iosefa
We’re delighted to welcome Sarona Aiono-Iosefa to the board, replacing Kim Wicksteed who has served two terms.
Sarona is the Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager for global engineering company Aurecon NZ, working with communities on major infrastructure projects.
She has reported for Tagata Pasifika, and was stakeholder and communications lead for the Kaikoura Earthquake response and recovery.
Sarona was a founding board member of the National Pacific Radio Trust, and recently served as a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Public Media.
![Music live](https://d3r9t6niqlb7tz.cloudfront.net/media/images/NZonAir140319-0134.width-378.jpg)
Welcome Ash Wallace - Music Promoter (Content)
NZ On Air is thrilled to welcome Ash Wallace to our Music team as the new Music Promoter for content.
Ash will handle all content creation and music communications from the Auckland office, and has come to NZ On Air after working for APRA AMCOS in membership and events.
Ash is also a songwriter and artist and her experience as a performer drives her passion for supporting other New Zealand artists in their careers. She has a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Commerce (Economics) from the University of Auckland.
![Ray Henwood](https://d3r9t6niqlb7tz.cloudfront.net/media/images/Henwood-Ray-Circa-Council-WEB.width-250.jpg)
Farewell to Ray Henwood
NZ On Air is saddened by the recent passing of legendary Kiwi actor Ray Henwood, fondly remembered for his iconic role as Hugh in Roger Hall's Gliding On.
A pillar of Wellington's Circa Theatre since co-founding it in 1976, Ray was a renowned theatre actor who later expanded his career into film and television.
Ray appeared in many early NZ On Air funded productions, including Separation City, The End Of The Golden Weather and How To Murder Your Wife.
NZ On Air would like to extend our aroha and condolences to the Henwood family, which includes New Zealand comedian Dai Henwood.