NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho have announced funding for a new six episode anthology series set to explore supernatural
stories of Māori, Pasifika, and Filipino cultures.
The new scripted series will screen during prime-time on TVNZ 2, and support six storytelling teams in amplifying their
voices and cultures to a variety of audiences across the motu.
Two of the episodes, Albularyo: The Witch Doctor, and 26:29, were funded through the NZ On Air Newer Storytellers fund.
Four of the episodes, From The Mist / Te Pao o te Patupaiarehe, Tappy, Taumanu, and Te Āo Mārama were funded through the NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho co-fund. More information on the other projects funded through
this co-fund can be found here.
The projects selected for the series include:
Albularyo: The Witch Doctor: When a Kiwi-Filipino doctor discovers that her deceased grandmother has become a manananggal, a corrupted witch, she
must face up to her troubled youth and make peace with her estranged brother before they both suffer the bloody
consequences.
26:29: A group of millennial vloggers enter an abandoned church in Auckland and uncover the truth of its mysterious past in
this found footage horror.
Tappy: A displaced young man and his reluctant ghostly companion confront love, loss, and abuse on an unlikely road trip
together when he is sent to steal a dead body.
From The Mist / Te Pao o te Patupaiarehe: Two soon-to-be lovers are drawn together by song but divided by the friction between the human world and the world of
the Patupaiarehe.
Taumanu: In 1929, a toi moko is delivered to a colonial manor house and when mysterious Maori twins arrive to reclaim it, the
head butler, Tīpene, finds himself drawn into the bloody climax of a century of utu.
Te Āo Mārama: Te Āo Mārama shares the story of a glamourous, ball-breaking, recently deceased wahine, who threatens to haunt her neighbour if he
doesn’t help her pass over to the afterlife.
NZ On Air’s Chief Executive Cam Harland says, “Aotearoa is home to a wealth of cultures, all of which should be
reflected on our screens. NZ On Air is excited to support this new anthology series, which will increase cultural
diversity in prime-time in a thrilling new way.”
“We’re particularly proud that one of the projects Albularyo: The Witch Doctor, will be the first time the Filipino language, Tagalog, will feature in a prime-time drama on a mainstream local
channel” he continues.
“We are honoured to be a part of this unique initiative. Of course, we are pleased to be able to support four Māori
drama productions, but we are delighted that our bi-cultural nation recognises and supports diverse voices within
Aotearoa. Ngā mihi maioha ki Te Reo Tātaki, otirā ki ngā tira waihanga kaupapa whakaari katoa” says Kaihautū of Te
Māngai Pāho, Larry Parr.
“Te Reo Tātaki (TVNZ) is committed to reflecting the diverse communities, people and perspectives that make up Aotearoa.
We’re thrilled that this anthology series elevates Māori, Pasifika and Asian creators and provides them with the
opportunity to bring their stories to screen in prime-time as well as OnDemand. We’re excited for audiences to benefit
from this unique kaupapa” says TVNZ General Manager for Local Content Nevak Rogers.
“Te Reo Tātaki would like to acknowledge the generous support of Robin Scholes, Lisa Chatfield, Steven Zanoski and Tina
Archibald – the Consulting Executives who provided mentorship to the teams through the development of their scripts and
proposals” she continued.
Funding details
Funded through the NZ On Air Newer Storytellers fund
Albularyo: The Witch Doctor, 1 x 22 mins, The Hot House for TVNZ 2, up to $500,057.
26:29, 1 x 22 mins, Tusitala Media for TVNZ 2, up to $500,000.
Funded through the NZ On Air / Te Māngai Pāho co-fund
Tappy, 1 x 22 mins, Steambox Collective Charitable Trust, up to $500,000.00.
From The Mist / Te Pao o te Patupaiarehe, 1 x 22 mins, 10000 Company Ltd, up to $508,055.00.
Taumanu, 1 x 22 mins, Sweetshop and Green Ltd, up to $500,836.00.
Te Āo Mārama, 1 x 22 mins, Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions Ltd, up to $546,327.