Hard Issues, Local Flavour Return To Regional TV

14 October 2002

Hard issues with local flavour return to regional TV screens

UNITEC's ground-breaking current affairs show Studio 12 returns to Triangle, bringing intelligent television back to Auckland screens.

Studio 12 gathers leading experts together for informed intellectual debate on the hard issues.

The eight-part series includes themes with a strong New Zealand focus such as management of Maori assets, sustainable energy resources, and the economic future of the greater Auckland region. It is hosted by experienced broadcaster Rob Neale.

"There is no in-depth, quality discussion in the media on these kinds of issues," says Studio 12 executive producer Christine Hanley. "As a society, if we're supposed to be making informed decisions we need access to this kind of information."

Hanley says the series fits with UNITEC's role as a tertiary institution with an obligation to act as critic and conscience of society. "It's also a fantastic project for our screen arts students, who researched, filmed, and edited the show."

After watching the Studio 12 programme on sustainable energy, Dai Bindoff, Waitakere city council's senior public affairs advisor, described the discussion as "at the cutting edge".

The first show in the series, Barbarians at the Cybergate, looking at internet security issues, screens on Thursday, 24 October, on Triangle Television, at 7.30pm

The series runs until December 12. Programmes include: The Problem With Men - the male health dilemma; Circus or Sanctuary? - the 21st century zoo; Not Just Another Foreign Aucklander - resettling refugee youth; and Country Living Kiwi Style - housing issues for rural Maori.

The first Studio 12 series screened on regional TV channels throughout New Zealand last year and Hanley says it is likely regional stations will pick up this series.

What: Studio 12 Where: Triangle Television When: 7.30pm, Thursdays, 24 October - 12 December

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Anne Bailey Media and Communication Manager UNITEC (09) 815 4321 x 8751 / 021 293 2156

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