TVNZ Celebrates 45 Years of TV
In 1960 New Zealanders first welcomed television into their homes. The first broadcast was only two hours long, in
black-and-white, and for the first six weeks lasted for only two hours a night over two nights a week. Forty five years
later we have multiple channels operating a 24/7 schedule.
TVNZ and The Petone Settlers Museum in Lower Hutt are launching a celebration of 45 years of television in New Zealand
with the 'Look Mum, I'm on TV' Exhibition to open to the public at the Museum on Saturday May 28. "The exhibition will
demonstrate the evolution of television over the years and will be a trip down memory lane for many people," says Avon
Adams, TVNZ's Public Affairs Head.
The exhibition is divided into four zones - Children's TV, Drama, Entertainment and Arts. It also celebrates and
acknowledges 30 years of Avalon Studios - the contribution they have made to the television and film industry, and as a
local employer in the Wellington/Lower Hutt region.
At the time of its completion Avalon Studios was the biggest television complex in the southern hemisphere ? a
nine-storey tower block with an adjoining 11-studio block on a 17? -acre site in Lower Hutt.
Within its first few years, Avalon turned out a steady stream of ambitious productions ranging from the historical drama
about Governor George Grey, The Governor, to the country's first soap, Close to Home, and The God Boy (the longest
single drama to be made for local television).
Former newsreader and Avalon personality Roger Gascoigne will officially open the exhibition at a special function on
Friday May 27.
The exhibition is just part of the celebrations to be held at the Museum. During the year various workshops will be held
at the site including 'Working in TV'- a seminar for those who aspire to work in film and television, and 'Writing it
Right' - a workshop hosted by the TVNZ's Avalon Television and Film School focusing on writing for television.
ENDS