$13 million investment for NZ children

12 October 2010

$13 million investment for NZ children

Today NZ On Air announced investments of nearly $13 million into New Zealand children’s television programming to screen in 2011.

One new daily series with the working title Tiki Tour represents a major new commitment for preschoolers. “This is a key audience for NZ On Air which we have not been able to support consistently in recent years,” said chief executive Jane Wrightson. “We’re delighted that TV2 has agreed to screen this charming project made by New Zealanders especially for our country’s preschoolers”, she said.

Tiki Tour will be produced by the specialist team of Brent Chambers (Staines Down Drains) and Mary Phillips (Sticky TV). Two presenters will lead a team of travelling animated characters that end up at a place near you. The intrepid travellers will pass varied, colourful locations and each day will arrive somewhere fresh.

“The series will screen seven days a week in the mornings,” said Ms Wrightson. “It will be consistent with quality early childhood education principles, show positive New Zealand role models and, of course, be fun”, she said. The series will use all three official languages of New Zealand; English, Maori and Sign language.

Role models are also key to another new children’s investment. Operation Hero, also for TV2, combines true life stories of New Zealand heroes with challenges for the children who will be the stars of the series.

“Operation Hero celebrates the achievements of New Zealand icons such as Nancy Wake,” said Ms Wrightson. “Each week children are encouraged to be brave and principled like the heroes we all look up to.”

“Without NZ On Air funding, New Zealand children’s programming would not be present on our screens”, said Ms Wrightson.

Ten children’s series in total have received funding, representing nearly 460 hours of programming for preschool, primary and secondary school audiences. Returning favourites include Sticky TV, The Erin Simpson Show and I Am TV. Perennial favourite What Now? will also be back, celebrating its 30th year of production in 2011.
 
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