Radio Drama and Comedy Development Funding

NZ On Air radio development funding is for drama and comedy projects. It is designed to provide seed funding for radio drama and comedy projects to enable their development to a stage where a firm commitment to broadcast can be secured from a New Zealand commercial radio broadcaster.

In order for applications to be considered eight copies of a written proposal, including a development application form, must be provided before the published deadline. If you're in doubt, ring and check the date. If the application arrives late it may be held over until the next meeting date.

NZ On Air meetings are held every two months. It is usual for the applicants to be contacted by fax or email within three days following the meeting, with details of the decision.

A successful applicant will have already determined interest from a broadcaster for the concept, so that after proposals are developed, NZ On Air can select a short-list of projects for which firm broadcaster commitment is secured, and production funding may be allocated. For this reason, development funding is limited to $3,000 per project.

Applications must include the following details. Explain in your covering letter if you cannot provide any specific information.

A clear explanation of the concept, and synopsis of the project, characters and storylines.
A detailed description of the expected result of the development, and what will be delivered to NZ On Air.
Key personnel involved in the development, eg: producer, scriptwriter, actors, performers etc, and their relevant experience.
A full development budget.
A schedule up to final delivery of the project in development.
An estimate as to the anticipated total cost of a production based on the development.
An indication of the intended broadcaster for the production.
A written statement of initial interest in the project from the broadcaster. Note this is not a firm broadcast commitment at this stage.

Questions regarding NZ On Air development funding for radio drama and comedy projects for broadcast on commercial radio in New Zealand should be addressed to Bernard Duncan, Deputy Chief Executive.

You can download an application form for NZ On Air radio drama and comedy development funding by clicking on the PDF link below.

Radio Drama and Comedy Development Application Form [PDF DOWNLOAD 44KB]

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If you would rather download a Word document copy of the application form that you can save on your own PC, please click here .

Radio Drama and Comedy Development Application Form [WORD DOWNLOAD 20KB]