NZ On Air Hits the Mark with Local Content

10 November 2005

NZ On Air Hits the Mark with Local Content

NZ On Air has reiterated its determination to ensure New Zealanders can continue to enjoy locally produced programmes and music on radio and television despite rising production costs.

Its Annual Report for 2004/2005, just presented in Parliament, highlights the need to manage funding carefully if the achievements of recent years are to be sustained.

In the report, NZ On Air Chairman Don Hunn’s overview for the year notes that the Government has emphasised the value and importance of the agency’s work and reinforced this with an increase in its funding.

$95 million (exc. GST) over the past financial year contributed to more than 1,000 hours of television and thousands of hours of public interest radio on Radio New Zealand and community access stations.

It also supported 150 music videos, 43 new recording artists, 19 albums and more than 2,000 hours of music television.

After delays in commissioning programmes last year television drama was reignited with action series Orange Roughies, drama/comedy Outrageous Fortune and the innovative Insiders Guide To Love. Meanwhile comedy saw the debut of edgy animated series bro’Town and the irreverent Seven Periods with Mr Gormsby.

“Comedy was one of the year’s success stories,” said the acting Chief Executive, Bernard Duncan. “Viewers tell us both programmes are hitting the mark with their distinctive kiwi take on life.”

“Favourable reaction, too, to recent drama programmes signals that New Zealand drama is coming of age with well developed storylines, credible characters and high quality production techniques.”

Once again NZ On Air has had phenomenal success with its music promotion work. New Zealand music on radio is around 20 per cent.

“We are now extending our work off-shore with a strategy designed to raise the profile of New Zealand music and musicians in the international media, especially radio and television,” said Mr Duncan. “It’s been a busy year and significant for taking creative risks which have paid off.”

ENDS

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