23 September 2022
Stories about and for under-represented communities feature in the latest Factual funding project announcements from NZ On Air.
These include series that delve into issues affecting Māori, Pasifika and Chinese communities, as well as those living with disabilities or exploring issues of gender and sexuality.
NZ On Air Head of Funding, Amie Mills, says the objective of this funding round is to ensure content by, for and about New Zealand’s many and varied communities gets to shine.
“The targeted audiences round exists to protect and encourage our platforms to reflect the richness of Aotearoa and to provide opportunities for all New Zealanders to view and enjoy stories that do not make their way into mainstream media often enough,” says Mills.
Based on a book by Lily Lee, Farewell Guangdong is a series for RNZ on the experiences of Lee’s family, and many others, who escaped war in China, came to Aotearoa and then built new lives in modern-day New Zealand.
Two new series tackle the challenge of living with a disability. Four Go Flatting is an observational docu-series for TVNZ 2 that takes a rite of passage – leaving home – and gives it a twist, taking four diverse young adults who have an intellectual disability and giving them a real experience of flatting.
The second series looking at living with disability is This is Wheel Life with Sophia & Indy created by Sophia Malthus and Indy Henman – two young women, one who lives with quadriplegia and the other who is her carer. The series about the two women, who began documenting their lives together on their YouTube channel, Soph & Indy, follows them as they navigate life, pursue their dreams and shape their futures.
An observational series West Coasters for Whakaata Māori, chronicles the triumphs and challenges of Māōri who are keeping the home fires burning in the most remotest, most beautiful place, in Aotearoa.
Health, wellbeing, gender and sexuality is also tackled with Queer Academy, a documentary series for Re: that’s hosted by comedian James Mustapic and is a ‘joyous exploration’ of everything that’s good about being queer – to show young queer New Zealander’s the value they bring to the world.
For the NZ Herald, TransGenerations is also a documentary series, this time shining a light on the experiences of several high-profile trans rights activists and revealing the struggles and political fights the community has gone through in order to be accepted and able to live authentic lives.
Returning to our screens for a further season are Rural Delivery 2023, the series looking at the science of farming, and Attitude 2023, which continues to provide empowering stories of the 1.1m people in Aotearoa living with disability or chronic ill health.
We also meet another ten wonderful individuals living with various disabilities on Unbreakable 3, following their hurdles, dreams and successes as they work towards achieving their various goals, and see more from Still Here 2, the docu-series profiling millennials from Pasifika families still living in some of Auckland’s most affluent inner-city suburbs.
Note: Funding marked with an asterisk (*) is for content intended for broadcast on TVNZ or RNZ. Assuming the legislation establishing the new ANZPM passes, NZ On Air funding would end at 30 June 2023. This means these funding amounts may be subject to change. (Funding of $1m or less is unaffected in this round for timing reasons).
Funding details:
New
Four Go Flatting, 5 x 44 mins, Attitude Pictures for TVNZ 2, up to $586,770. An observational documentary series that follows four diverse young adults who have an intellectual disability and gives them a real-life temporary experience of flatting.
West Coasters, 6 x 26 mins, Fire Fire for Whakaata Māori, up to $438,580. An observational series for Whakaata Māori, West Coasters chronicles the triumphs and challenges of Māōri who are keeping the home fires burning in the most remotest, most beautiful place, in Aotearoa.
TransGenerations, 8 x 10 mins, Trajectory Media for NZ Herald, up to $361,121. A documentary series that tells the stories of several high-profile trans rights activists and shines a light on the experiences of transgender New Zealanders.
Queer Academy, 5 x 10 mins, Re: for Re:, up to $246,891. A documentary series, hosted by queer comedian James Mustapic, that explores the value of the LGBTTQIA+ experience and everything that’s good about being queer.
Farewell Guangdong, 6 x 15 mins, Tawera Productions for RNZ, up to $238,230. A series based on the book Farewell Guangdong by Lily Lee which details the experiences of Lee’s family, and many others, escaping war in China and dealing with cultural diversity in present-day New Zealand.
Sidelines with the Sugas, 12 x 12 mins, Tikilounge Productions for Coconet.TV, up to $206,265. A unique series that delves into the behind-the-scenes realities for Pacific athletes, from sportswomen mothers with full-time jobs to young aspiring Pasifika punching above their weight.
This is Wheel Life with Sophia & Indy, 12 x 8 mins, Boxed Media for RNZ, up to $199,490. A raw, authentic and comedic series that documents the lives of two young women – Sophia and Indy – one living with quadriplegia and the other her carer.
Returning
*Attitude 2023, 20 x 23 mins + 10 x 23 mins reversioned, Attitude Pictures for TVNZ 1, up to $1,675,050*. A series of empowering stories reflecting the lives of some of the 1.1 million people in Aotearoa who live with disability or chronic ill health.
*Fresh 2023, 35 x 23 mins, Tikilounge Productions for TVNZ 2, up to $1,807,990*. A magazine/reality series for Māori and Pasifika rangatahi, engaging them across linear and digital platforms.
Unbreakable 3, 6 x 44 mins, Storymaker for TVNZ 1, up to $727,870. A six-part observational documentary series which follows 10 contributors with disabilities and focuses on their hurdles, dreams and successes.
Soul Sessions 3, up to 10 x 25 mins, ECG Media for TP+, up to $435,444. A series that celebrates Aotearoa gospel music which includes special episodes for Christmas, New Year’s and Matariki.
Youth Wings 2, 5 x 10 mins + 1 x 30 mins, Hexwork Productions for The Spinoff, up to $276,059. A documentary series that follows the youth branches of our political parties, big and small, as they start their engines for the 2023 election.
Still Here 2, 4 x 15 mins, Four and Five Films for Re:, up to $228,107. A docu-series profiling millennials from Pasifika families still living in Auckland’s affluent inner-city suburbs, namely Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Westmere and Ponsonby.
Rural Delivery 2023, 10 x 23 mins, Showdown Productions Limited for TVNZ 1, up to $161,642. A series looking at the science of farming with stories that focus on new farming technologies and practices.
The Nutters Club, 48 x 90 mins, The Key to Life Charitable Trust for Newstalk ZB, up to $85,460. A radio interview series designed to change the way people think, feel, talk and behave in relation to our mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, culture, sexual health and wellbeing.
Real Life with John Cowan 2023, 48 x 22 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $37,964. Weekly nationwide chat show series that reflects the diverse religious and ethical beliefs of New Zealanders, featuring a different high-profile guest each week.
Christmas 2022, 18 x 51 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $36,896. A mix of live and pre-recorded features, interviews, vignettes, music, audience participation and guests for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day radio content.
Easter 2023, 12 x 54 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $31,522. An Easter-focused range of radio content with commentary, interviews, talk back, creative production and guests from around NZ.