Feeding the Documentary Habit

28 November 2007

NZ On Air Media Release

Feeding the Documentary Habit

Hot on the heels of new research that shows 84% of New Zealanders regularly watch locally made television documentaries, NZ On Air has approved over $3.4 million of funding for a range of new documentaries, set to hit our screens next year.

"This year’s NZ On Air Public Information and Opinion Monitor has told us once again how well New Zealanders love these programmes," said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson. "And the proposals that have been given the nod this time will deliver excellent viewing.

“It’s a very diverse range that will take us into the kitchen, up in the bush and even out on the road with the Topp Twins.

NZ On Air has approved funding for a new series, Your Health Matters, for screening on TV3, and a seven-part series on New Zealand birdlife and 90-minute feature documentary on the Topp Twins on TV One. Funding has also been allocated to 20 hours of documentary on TV One

"Your Health Matters began as a single documentary in TV3’s Inside New Zealand series. It proved so popular that funding has now been approved for a 10-part series,” she said.

Birdland, based on Steve Braunias’s widely praised book How to Watch a Bird is a series designed to inform and educate New Zealanders about the bird species in our environment.

“It’ll be an entertaining and educational series on TV One, presented by Jeremy Wells,” Ms Wrightson said.

"And The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls will give us an in depth look at the lives and careers of two of New Zealand’s favourite entertainers. This is one to look forward to.”

"There is a real appetite for New Zealand’s stories to be told – and told well – through documentary," said Ms Wrightson. “Funding a documentary strand for TV One allows us to take a flexible approach, along with the broadcaster, to the programmes’ subjects.”

A further series of the budgeting and money managing programme Money Man was also given the green light.

Ends

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