Television

NZ On Air contributes funding to programmes in advance of their production, based on an application presented to its Board, and does not fund programmes retrospectively.

Total contributions paid by broadcasters are to be at least comparable with similar programmes.

Licence fees paid by broadcasters are also to be at least comparable with similar programmes.

NZ On Air's per hour contribution to second or subsequent series will generally be the same or lower than for a first series.

NZ On Air is unlikely to contribute funding to programmes made under international licence (format) arrangements.

NZ On Air will generally not fund two programmes on similar topics at the same time.

NZ On Air will not invest in sports programming unless the needs of a minority audience, not otherwise being met, can be shown to be well served by such investment.

NZ On Air will not invest in news or current affairs programming unless the needs of a minority audience, not otherwise being met, can be well served by such investment.

Producers may meet overages in below-the-line budget categories by transferring expenditure from underspent codes. However, changes to above-the-line categories cannot be made except with prior approval from NZ On Air.

Production Company Overheads will not normally exceed 10% of below-the-line costs, while a contingency allowance of between 5% and 10% of below-the-line costs should normally be made.

Contingency allowances will also be calculated on below-the-line costs and will not normally exceed 10%. In the case of long-running, or repeat, series the level of contingency would not be expected to exceed 5% of below-the-line costs and may be the subject of negotiation between NZ On Air and the producer.

With the exception of feature films and projects with significant third party funding (where the sharing of income is negotiable), the share of a programme's income is as follows:
- Where NZ On Air's funding is greater than $200,000 the Net Income split in respect of programme sales is 25% of NZ On Air's equity share to NZ On Air and 75% to the Producer. The Net Income split in respect of all other exploitation is 10% of NZ On Air's equity share to NZ On Air and 90% to the Producer.
- Where NZ on Air's funding is less than $200,000 and the broadcaster contribution is comprised solely of a licence fee, 100% of NZ On Air's equity share goes to the Producer.
Recipients of NZ On Air funding are required to furnish detailed production reports at intervals specified in the production and funding agreement in line with NZ On Air's published guidelines.
Recipients of NZ On Air funding are required to furnish detailed cost reports at intervals specified in the production and funding agreement in line with NZ On Air's published guidelines.
NZ On Air will audit a range of projects on a random basis each funding year and also reserves the right to audit particular projects if it believes this is warranted.
NZ On Air has also published policies in relation to drama funding, children's programmes, travel and editing loans, and has implemented Te Rautaki Māori.