
Kia ora tatou
Fifty years of television in New Zealand this month! Now that makes many of us feel very old, especially those of us who remember (only just) life without the tube. NZ On Air turning 21 this year makes us simply sprightly by comparison. Watching some of the older programming on TVNZ's Heartland channel, on our funded 50 Years of Television in New Zealand on Prime (well done team!) the various TV specials and, of course, the terrific collection on NZ On Screen, gives us a wonderful insight into how we've developed as an industry and a country.
We've just completed the final funding decisions for this financial year and the results are listed at the end of this newsletter. As you might imagine there were only limited funds remaining and a fairly heavy demand for them - but we're proud to support some great new ideas. Along with Digital Content Partnership Fund allocations, we've made the annual investments in access radio, NZ music for student radio, sound archiving and regional television programming. We'll be running a small information piece on each across the next few newsletters and we start this month with access radio.
We were very pleased to retain our current funding level in this year's Budget and grateful for the support of Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and his Cabinet colleagues for our investment work. The Government has some pretty tough choices facing it and its support for local content and New Zealand broadcasting is well appreciated. Our funding will be tight next year but we'll be as careful as always to invest in the best priorities to extend audience choice.
It's also good to see some debate about what New Zealanders might want for their television and how public broadcasting might fit in the 21st century. NZ On Air commissioned a report discussing issues like this from Paul Norris and Brian Pauling which we published in late 2008. To an extent the issues remain constant: how can a small country give its citizens the best range of local and international content in the face of a global onslaught.
Here at NZ On Air, we've always argued that public funding is best concentrated in providing for local content. International content is cheap, by comparison, and the only barrier to screening is a broadcaster's assessment of whether enough of its target audience will choose to watch that programme as opposed to the myriad of other content and recreation options available.
A criticism of the NZ On Air contestable funding schemes we hear sometimes is that we are 'constrained' by the broadcasters acting as gatekeepers, meaning nothing gets made without a broadcast commitment. It's always confused me, that one, as there are constraints in any model.
If broadcasters were directly funded, whether non-commercial or commercial, programme makers would still be constrained. Simply put, there are many more ideas around than can ever be funded (a funding constraint); and broadcasters will always hold the last card because they ultimately, and quite properly, choose what they'll screen (a creative constraint).
What NZ On Air does is add a voice to that mix: the voice that says "hang on, what about doing something different, like………." while holding an often-attractive cheque book. And requiring a broadcast outcome means there is no waste.
It's a cunning model - simple, transparent and focused on providing audiences better viewing and listening choices.
And yes, I would say that wouldn't I :)
Jane Wrightson
Chief Executive
Edie gave sterling service to NZ On Air and her patience, intense interest in the sector, and wicked sense of humour will be missed. But with the cloud of farewell there's also a silver lining.
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We're delighted to welcome new member Caren Rangi. Caren hails from Napier, is a consultant and auditor by trade, and is also a former trustee of the National Pacific Radio Trust (which oversees Niu FM and 531PI). Current member Murray Shaw has now been confirmed by the Board as Deputy Chair. |
Our funding for access radio is mainly aimed at providing direct access to the airwaves for special interest audiences. These include people living with disabilities, ethnic and language minorities, spiritual programmes and programmes by women, youth and children. These groups are often the least well-represented in mainstream media.
Access radio programmes are made by the communities themselves and, after broadcast, most are available online through Access Radio (seven regions) with over 30 languages and cultures, or Planet Audio (Auckland) with over 40 languages and cultures. For a window on the diversity of modern New Zealand, and also to spot some up-and-coming broadcast talent, there's no better place to start exploring than here.
The oldest station is Wellington Access radio and the newest station, the first funded for over a decade, will begin broadcasting next month in Taranaki. This is one of the largest remaining regions currently without such a service. The Trust board behind this move has worked extremely hard to secure an impressive level of community support and we wish them well during the complexities of the start-up - not the least of which is siting a transmitter on a rather large snowy mountain in inclement weather.
Access radio funding now confirmed for the year beginning 1 July 2010 is included in the funding decisions below.
Last August we issued a request for proposals, in conjunction with TVNZ, for a strand of four Historical Docu/Dramas to screen in the Sunday Theatre slot on TV One. This was one of the initial commissions for the new Platinum Fund. After the RFP process several projects were put into development and subsequently three have a green light for production. We have been unable to confirm a suitable Rautaki project for this strand and are seeking new applications to fill this slot. Applications close on 23 July 2010.
The same process is being followed by the NZ Film Commission and, eventually, by Te Mangai Paho. This is so Government funding can be centralised: it will cut down on red tape for the Film Archive (reducing four of its core Government funders to one) and improve monitoring and transparency. This was one of the recommendations from the Horrocks report initiated and funded by NZ On Air last year, which examined how to improve archiving arrangements and funding.
The Film Archive also received an additional $2 million grant in the Budget for urgent film preservation work. We're delighted with these developments and wish our Film Archive colleagues well.
Nearly $127 million will be available for broadcast funding
including plans for investing:
- Over $66 million in general television programmes
- Over $15 million in the television Platinum Fund
- Nearly $33 million in radio, of which $31.8 million will go to
Radio New Zealand
- $5.5 million in NZ Music activities
- $2.6 million in digital initiatives and to sound archiving
Just over $3 million (under 3%) is budgeted for funding
administration, including research and accountability
activities.
Read the SOI here.
Hot on the heels of Chris Caddick's
excellent review of our international music work, which led to
significant refocusing of this work, we have asked him to review
the domestic music funding schemes. The new review kicked off in
March and Chris will report in December. Chris will be conducting
many one-on-one interviews with broadcasters, musicians, record
companies and music managers (around 100 at last count!).
Take a look at the full terms of reference
for this new review. We've also set up a simple online survey, to which anyone with
views on how audience-based music funding should best be allocated
can contribute. All views are welcome. This is the first major
review of our domestic music funding schemes since 2002. We'd
appreciate it if you would spare the time to help with this
important study.
We've set up a Facebook page which we intend to use for
occasional updates, links, and broadcast scheduling information. Check it
out.
Proposals ranged from children's to sports sites and proposed delivery across a variety of platforms. The overall standard of applications showed high quality research and creative ideas, resulting in many appealing applications. In assessing the applications the Board looked for proposals that complemented our wider local content funding. Genuinely innovative ideas were preferred, with user interaction for significant audiences.
The successful proposals were:
Snort; downlowconcept $298,100 - this project involves the creation of an interactive New Zealand comedy portal hosted on the TV3 website. 32 weeks of original comedy content will be created with users able to win prizes and interact via twitter and blogs.
Everyone Lies: Reservoir Hill 2; KHF Media $449,400 - a sequel to the Emmy-winning online interactive drama series hosted on the TVNZ website. Extra layers of audience interactivity mean that this project will extend the format of the successful 2009 series with new elements.
Mixtape; Mixtape Ltd $332,388 - a music site which will allow users to create their own mixtape of songs, and listen to other users mixtapes. Among the many strong music proposals this year, Mixtape shone out by allowing users to mix music creatively, legally and to share by linking.
Read the press release for more detail
Our funding will also enable television audiences to delight in the spectacle of both Wearable Arts and Style Pasifika. See the funding list below.
Additional funding of $64,200 was confirmed to enable Q+A to extend its current season to 45 episodes.
We invest in a small number of spoken programmes for commercial radio audiences. These help extend listening experiences and provide services to those radio audiences who may not listen to public radio. These programmes mostly comprise content for special interest audiences (eg children, spiritual, ethnic) or mainstream audiences (mainly comedy).
The review examined the mix of programming to see if we are getting the best value for money for these audiences. In general we are, but the Board has now agreed that some refocusing would be useful. New criteria for this funding are now available.
This means invoices dated up to 30 September 2010 should have the GST at 12.5%. Invoices dated from 1 October 2010 should have the GST at 15% (irrespective of contract date).
Sometimes organisations occasionally have to issue credit notes to us - in that situation the GST rate applicable is the date of the earlier invoice which is being credited. We haven't yet seen any information from the IRD on the practicalities of the rate change but no doubt they will be issuing some soon - keep a look out. We'll update you again in the next newsletter.
Brian Hunter is retiring after 22 years associated as a founding member of the CBS (Community Broadcasters' Society) and the Trust.
Kapoi Mathieson has been appointed to the position of Accessions Archivist, Christchurch.
For the past year, Kapoi has been working on a fixed-term project at Nga Taonga Korero, Auckland, working with the Christchurch team on the Vernon Collection Management System implementation.
Kapoi has a broadcasting background, including six years as the General Manager of Radio Tainui in Ngaruawahia. She has a Bachelor of Maori (First Class Honours) from the University of Waikato, and during her university years also worked on a project to establish a database to catalogue Maori audio archives for the University.
Your funding contracts give us the right to vary
drawdown dates.
If we reasonably consider that there are sufficient funds in the
production account to meet immediate production costs and expenses
of the programme we may change the drawdown date.
To decide whether a drawdown should be paid, we look carefully at your cost reports to see how much you have spent to date, and how much we have paid out. If it seems that you have a reasonable surplus, we may delay payment of your invoice, despite the drawdown milestone being met. We will contact you before withholding payment of an invoice if we feel this may be justified.
We have reviewed our standard contractual provisions relating to reporting and returning sales income. We believe these provisions can be improved to cover the realities of the distribution industry. As such, we intend to consult with stakeholders shortly as to how these provisions might be improved to provide greater fairness and clarity to producers, while still protecting our investment in programmes. If you would like to give feedback on sales income matters directly, please contact the Assistant Television Manager.
If you have earned money from programme sales, please ensure you are up to date with your revenue sharing and have returned any portion due to NZ On Air in accordance with your funding agreement.
The black-clad crowd of musicians and music industry executives, along with key radio and TV broadcasters joined the Minister of Broadcasting Jonathan Coleman and the Board and staff of NZ On Air for a truly special night at the Power Station. Iconic band Shihad was the secret surprise act, and they played a very rare acoustic set with star backing from Anika Moa and Julia Deans.
But the biggest surprise of the night was reserved for NZ Music Manager Brendan Smyth who has been with NZ On Air for our entire 21 years. He was honoured with surprise tributes and speeches by the Broadcasting Minister, head of APRA Ant Healey, and an AV compilation of congratulations from across the music and media industries. Special thanks to our sponsors The Langham, Antipodes water, Kapiti ice cream, Tiger beer, Wild Rock wines and 42 Below for helping create such a fun night.
Naomi Wallwork is jumping ship to the NZFC (lucky them), so NZ
On Air is looking for a new Business Affairs Executive to join its
busy TV funding team. You'll have a law degree and around 1-4 years
PQE. Experience in the television, film or new media is desirable;
a deep interest in local content is essential. You'll assist the
Television Manager by taking responsibility for high quality
drafting, negotiation and execution of funding contracts, contract
monitoring, producer and broadcaster liaison, and preparation of
funding papers for NZ On Air Board consideration.
You'll be a self-starter, be stakeholder-focused, and be a team
player who's not afraid to roll up your sleeves. You'll have
excellent writing and analytical skills, and be IT-adept.
NZ On Air is a Crown entity investing in content creation for
television, radio, music and new media. We are an equal-opportunity
employer. More about us and a job description is at www.nzonair.govt.nz
Send a CV and a covering letter saying why we need you to reception by
9am Monday 5 July.
Television Funding Decisions |
|||||||||
|
Genre |
Programme |
Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
Production Company |
Channel |
|||
|
Special Interest |
TVNZ CAPTIONING 2010-2011 |
1,900,000 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
TVNZ |
|
|||
|
Arts/Culture |
MONTANA WORLD OF WEARABLE ART AWARDS 2010 |
144,100 |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Media Inc |
Prime |
|||
|
Arts/Culture |
QANTAS FILM & TELEVISION AWARDS 2010 |
150,000 |
1.0 |
90.0 |
TVNZ |
TV One |
|||
|
Arts/Culture |
STYLE PASIFIKA 2010 |
153,323 |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Drum Productions |
TV One |
|||
|
Arts/Culture |
THE ART OF THE ARCHITECT |
1,125,397 |
8.0 |
60.0 |
TVNZ |
TV One |
|||
|
Documentary |
BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER, STRONGER |
648,543 |
10.0 |
30.0 |
The Down Low Concept |
TV3 |
|||
|
Documentary |
WHARE MAORI |
650,000 |
13.0 |
30.0 |
Scottie Douglas Productions |
MTS |
|||
|
News/Current Affairs |
* Q & A 2010 - ADDITIONAL |
64,200 |
9.0 |
60.0 |
TVNZ |
TV One |
|||
|
Special Interest |
NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS 2010 |
144,852 |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Arts & Entertainment Productions |
TV One |
|||
|
*This programme was supported by the NZ On Air Platinum Fund |
|
||||||||
The Inside New Zealand 2010 Working Group has made the following funding decisions for TV3 documentaries: |
|
||||||||
|
Genre |
Programme |
Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
Production Company |
Channel |
|
||
|
Documentary |
TAXING CANNABIS |
TBC |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Top Shelf |
TV3 |
|
||
|
Documentary |
A CULTURE UP IN SMOKE |
TBC |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Top Shelf |
TV3 |
|
||
The TV One Docs Working Group has made the following funding decisions for TV One Documentaries: |
|||||||
|
Genre |
Programme |
Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
Production Company |
Channel |
|
|
Documentary |
ALONE AGAINST THE TASMAN |
TBC |
1.0 |
60.0 |
The Gibson Group |
TV One |
|
|
Documentary |
WHO KILLED TRENT KEEGAN |
TBC |
1.0 |
60.0 |
Project Melting |
TV One |
|
|
Radio Funding Decisions |
|||||||
|
Funding Type |
Genre |
Description |
Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
Channel |
|
|
NZ Music Programmes Radio |
|
bFM 10/11 |
180,000 |
52.0 |
120.0 |
95bFM |
|
|
|
|
Kiwi FM - Radio shows 10/11 |
300,000 |
40.0 |
480.0 |
Kiwi FM |
|
|
|
|
Radio Active 10/11 |
100,000 |
52.0 |
240.0 |
Radio Active |
|
|
|
|
Radio Control 10/11 |
55,000 |
52.0 |
60.0 |
Radio Control |
|
|
|
|
Radio One 10/11 |
75,000 |
52.0 |
120.0 |
Radio One |
|
|
|
|
RDU 10/11 |
90,000 |
52.0 |
240.0 |
RDU |
|
|
|
|
THE SLAB 2010 |
36,000 |
1092.0 |
4.0 |
The Edge |
|
|
|
|
THE WORD 2010-2011 |
45,000 |
1400.0 |
4.0 |
ZM |
|
|
|
|
WIRED 2010 |
50,000 |
1248.0 |
4.0 |
MORE FM |
|
|
Radio New Zealand |
|
Radio NZ 2010/11 |
31,816,000 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
Radio New Zealand |
|
|
Radio Programme Production |
Children |
THE GREAT BIG KIDS SHOW series 3 |
116,055 |
53.0 |
60.0 |
Big FM |
|
|
|
Special Interest |
ASIAN RADIO SHOW 2010-11 |
96,500 |
50.0 |
15.0 |
Radio Live |
|
|
|
Special Interest |
PAAKIWAHA 2010 |
75,000 |
48.0 |
120.0 |
Radio Waatea 603AM |
|
|
|
Special Interest |
SCRUBCUTTER 2010 |
70,000 |
240.0 |
1.5 |
NewstalkZB |
|
Access Radio Funding Decisions |
|||
|
Funding Type |
Region |
Station |
Amount Approved |
|
Access Radio Capital Fund |
Taranaki |
Access Radio Taranaki Trust |
80,000 |
|
Access Radio Capital Fund |
Waikato/Lakes |
Community Radio Hamilton |
36,716 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Auckland |
Auckland Access Radio Planet Fm 104.6 |
250,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Canterbury |
Plains FM |
230,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
East Coast/Hawke's Bay |
Radio Kidnappers |
170,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Lower North Island |
Coast Access Radio |
130,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Lower North Island |
Manawatu Access |
165,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Lower North Island |
Wairarapa Access Radio |
130,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Lower North Island |
Wellington Access Radio |
210,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Nelson Marlborough |
Tasman Broadcasting Trust (Fresh FM) |
195,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Otago |
Toroa Radio (Hills Radio Trust) |
165,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Southland |
Southland Community Broadcast |
159,600 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Taranaki |
Access Radio Taranaki Trust |
160,000 |
|
Access Radio Stations |
Waikato/Lakes |
Community Radio Hamilton |
230,000 |
|
Pacific Radio Stations |
Auckland |
National Pacific Radio Trust |
250,000 |
|
Pacific Radio Stations |
Lower North Island |
Samoa Capital Radio |
180,000 |
Regional Television Programmes Funding Decisions |
|||||
|
Genre |
Programme |
Amount Approved |
No. Of Episodes |
Length of Episodes (minutes) |
Channel |
|
News / Current Affairs |
9 LOCAL NEWS - SOUTHERN NEWSWEEK |
170,000 |
288.0 |
30.0 |
Channel 9 Dunedin TV |
|
News / Current Affairs |
CENTRAL NEWS 2010 |
150,000 |
240.0 |
30.0 |
TV Central |
|
News / Current Affairs |
CHANNEL NORTH NEWS |
85,000 |
5.0 |
12.0 |
Te Hiku TV |
|
News / Current Affairs |
CHATROOM |
85,000 |
138.0 |
30.0 |
Television Hawkes Bay Ltd |
|
News / Current Affairs |
CITY NEWS 2010 |
110,000 |
240.0 |
30.0 |
TV Rotorua |
|
News / Current Affairs |
FAR NORTH NEWS 2010 |
37,500 |
1440.0 |
5.0 |
Te Hiku TV |
|
News / Current Affairs |
LOCAL NEWS |
75,000 |
45.0 |
24.0 |
Mainland Television Ltd |
|
News / Current Affairs |
SOUTH TODAY 2010 |
170,000 |
220.0 |
48.0 |
Cue TV |
|
News / Current Affairs |
TODAY IN CANTERBURY |
190,000 |
250.0 |
30.0 |
Canterbury Television |
|
News / Current Affairs |
TONIGHT AT 7 |
300,000 |
480.0 |
30.0 |
Triangle Television Ltd |
|
News / Current Affairs |
UNDER CURRENT 2010 |
85,000 |
52.0 |
60.0 |
Tararua Television |
Music Funding Decisions |
|||
|
Funding Type |
Artist - Project |
Amount Approved |
Production Company |
|
NZ Music Albums |
Kids Of 88 |
50,000 |
Dryden Street Ltd |
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Anna Wilson - Say You Love Me |
10,000 |
Anna Wilson |
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Cairo Knife Fight - This Is Love |
10,000 |
Loretta Recordings |
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Knives At Noon - Violins and Violence |
10,000 |
Liberation Music (NZ) Ltd |
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
K-One feat Junipah - Never |
10,000 |
Illegal Musik Limited |
|
NZ Music New Recordings |
Six60 - Rise Up |
10,000 |
Massive Entertainment |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Anika Moa - Love Me Again |
5,000 |
Flightless Birds Music Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Artisan Guns - Without You |
5,000 |
Raccoon Jacket |
|
NZ Music Videos |
BARB - Alcoholic Darling |
5,000 |
New Adventure |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Candice Rhind - Mama Say Remix |
5,000 |
Alazay Entertainment |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Concord Dawn - Easy Life |
5,000 |
Dirty Management |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Deach - Make It On My Own |
5,000 |
Move The Crowd Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Deceptikonz - Drama Queen |
5,000 |
Dawn Raid Music Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Dukes - Paper Heart |
5,000 |
Play Nicely |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Ekko Park - You Said |
5,000 |
Ekko Park |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Gin Wigmore - Don't Stop |
5,000 |
Universal Music NZ Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Glass Owls - Griffin Boy |
5,000 |
Glass Owls |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Hollie Smith - Hiding |
5,000 |
Soundsmith Records |
|
NZ Music Videos |
J Williams feat Dane Rumble - Takes Me Higher |
5,000 |
Illegal Musik Limited |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Julia Deans - The Wish You Wish You Had |
5,000 |
Isaac Promotions |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Kayo - I'm Wassup |
5,000 |
Move The Crowd Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
King Kapisi feat Richard Nunns - Safari |
5,000 |
Border Music |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Kirsten Morrell - I Fly Away |
5,000 |
Warner Music NZ Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Nightchoir - Waterfall Home |
5,000 |
Elevenfiftyseven Records Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
North Shore Pony Club - Sex, Drugs & a Drum Machin |
5,000 |
Isaac Promotions |
|
NZ Music Videos |
P-Money feat Milan Borich - Falling Down |
5,000 |
Dirty Management |
|
NZ Music Videos |
PNC - Let Your Lover Know |
5,000 |
Dirty Management |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Shihad - Lead Or Follow |
5,000 |
Warner Music NZ Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Sleeptalkers - Where The Sun Hides |
5,000 |
Sleeptalkers |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Steriogram - Skinny White Runts |
5,000 |
Let The People Speak Entertainment |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Sweet & Irie - The Love That Comes From You |
5,000 |
Dawn Raid Music Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Mint Chicks - Say Goodbye |
5,000 |
The Mint Chicks |
|
NZ Music Videos |
The Phoenix Foundation - Pot |
5,000 |
The Phoenix Foundation (WGTN) Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Timmy Schumacher feat Eden Mulholland - The Fire |
5,000 |
Akrite Records |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Tyree - Want You To Know |
5,000 |
Move The Crowd Ltd |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Vince Harder - What's The Problem |
5,000 |
Illegal Musik Limited |
|
NZ Music Videos |
We Are Romans - Beauty & The Beats |
5,000 |
We Are Romans |
|
NZ Music Videos |
Young Sid feat Stan Walker - Stuck In A Box |
5,000 |
Move The Crowd Ltd |
|
Phase 5 Campaign |
Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke |
20,000 |
BloodGroup |
|
Phase 5 Campaign |
I Am Giant - Neon Sunrise ep |
3,400 |
CRS Music Management |
|
Phase 5 Campaign |
Lawrence Arabia - Chant Darling |
20,000 |
Honorary Bedouin Records |
Archives Funding Decisions |
||
|
Project |
Amount Approved |
Production Company |
|
RNZ SOUND ARCHIVES 2010/11 |
703,555 |
Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero |
Digital Funding Decisions |
||
|
Project |
Amount Approved |
Production Company |
|
NZ ON SCREEN YEAR 3 2010 |
997,380 |
NZ On Screen Trust |
Digital Content Partnership Fund |
||
|
Project |
Amount Approved |
Production Company |
|
RESERVOIR HILL 2 |
449,400 |
KHF Media Ltd |
|
MIXTAPE |
332,388 |
Mixtape Ltd |
|
SNORT |
298,100 |
The Down Low Concept |
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