Strong Support for New Zealand Music and TV

Strong Support for New Zealand Music and TV Programmes

More New Zealanders are enjoying locally produced television programmes, and would like to see local content on New Zealand television increase further. That's one of the findings in NZ On Air's latest research report, the NZ On Air Public Information and Opinion Monitor for 2002, prepared for the agency by NFO New Zealand.

"Nearly two thirds of the people surveyed said they support local content and want to see more," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jo Tyndall. "From our point of view, it's yet another indication that the range and standard of the programmes we've been able to support are going from strength to strength. People are watching… and overall there's strong support for what they're seeing.

"Ninety percent of people regularly watch NZ On Air funded documentaries, and more people are watching and enjoying New Zealand drama and comedy than last year," she said.

"It's not only New Zealand television programmes that are getting this endorsement. More people want to hear New Zealand music on the radio as well. Two out of three people said they thought it was important that more New Zealand music was played, and over half of those surveyed have already noticed an increase. Among Mâori and Pacific Island people, the number is even higher."

The NZ On Air Public Information and Opinion Monitor is conducted every year, and is one of the research projects the agency regularly undertakes to inform policy development and decision-making processes. It measures public attitudes not only to the services funded by NZ On Air, but also to all local content on television and radio, including New Zealand music, in a much wider context.

"The latest results have confirmed something NZ On Air has been observing in recent years," said Ms Tyndall. "This year, more than 75% of New Zealanders said they think that seeing ourselves on television and hearing our stories and songs helps to develop our cultural identity. It shows us the value the broadcasting media have in helping to define our sense of who we are as a South Pacific nation."

"There are some other interesting findings in the Public Information Monitor this year too. We're seeing even stronger support from Mâori and Pacific Island people for programmes that reflect their culture," Ms Tyndall said. "And there's very strong support for locally produced children's programming, which has been a key area for development for NZ On Air in recent years.

"It also seems that local content quotas could be popular, with more than 70% of people surveyed favouring compulsory minimum screening levels for New Zealand made programmes on the free-to-air channels."

More information on the NZ On Air Public Information and Opinion Monitor for 2002, and other research is available on the NZ On Air website at www.nzonair.govt.nz

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