Apply for Scripted and Non-Fiction funding Mō ngā tono Tuhinga Totoko, Mōhiohio Pono

Round Tahi

Priority and General Audiences

Applications open: 4 April 2024

Deadline: 4:00 pm, 24 April 2024

Applicants informed: 5 July 2024

Round Rua

Targeted and General Audiences round

Applications open: 22 August 2024

Deadline: 4:00 pm, 12 September 2024

Applicants informed: 22 November 2024

Round Toru

Priority and General Audiences

Applications open: 17 January 2025

Deadline: 4:00 pm, 7 February 2025

Applicants informed: 9 April 2025

Read the full Information for Funding Applicants for Round Tahi 2024.

Funding round Priorities

We welcome projects intended for both priority and general audiences, however precedence will be given to projects targeting General Audiences in this round. We will consider Non-Fiction and Scripted applications (including children’s content) as well as applications for content development.

We will also be focusing on those seeking gap financing through the NZ Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) - our aim is to support projects that offer public media value alongside scale and employment opportunities.

All submitted projects are required to have confirmed local platform support, and we will give priority to projects that have a clear and considered distribution plan for audience reach.

Timeline

Thursday 4 April 2024 - Funding round opens. Applications must be made through our funding portal. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted.

Wednesday 24 April 2024, 4pm - Round closes. Late applications will not be considered. In very exceptional circumstances and with prior agreement, the Head of Funding may grant an extension to the application deadline.

Friday 5 July 2024 - Decisions confirmed, applicants notified. Please note, this date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

All the application deadlines for 2024/25 can be found here.

Application Limits

To address the rising demand for our funding, and the consequent increase in declined applications (with an average decline rate of approximately 70% year-on-year), we are maintaining application limits per round for both producers/production companies and platforms.

Producers/production companies are limited to a maximum of four applications, with a maximum of two applications per category (Scripted, Non-Fiction, Content Development, Industry Capability, Discoverability). Platforms, on the other hand, can submit up to 10 applications per round, without any restrictions per category within that total. It's important to note that the platform application cap does not apply to children's applications and returning series.

If you have a strong case for exceeding these limits, please contact the Head of Funding (amie@nzonair.govt.nz) for approval before submitting your applications.

Helping you to apply

NZ On Air hosted a Q and A webinar for applicants on 19 March 2024. This was an opportunity to talk applicants through the Round Tahi Guidelines and answer any questions.

If you were unable to attend the webinar or would like to watch it again, you can find a recording of the webinar here.

In line with our new Youth funding strategy we are seeking two-page pitches for digital first, social media native Scripted (fiction) and Non-Fiction (factual) video content for 15 - 24-year-olds.

Projects shortlisted through the two-page pitch process will be invited to submit full proposals to apply for production financing in Round Toru (Jan/April 2024).

Please read the Funding Round Information for Applicants: Youth RFP 2023-24 Two Page Pitch

Timeline

5 October, 2023 Two-page pitch round opens

All applications must be made through NZ On Air’s online application system. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted. You must submit a request to register with our online system well in advance of the application deadline day.

1pm 12 October, 2023 Webinar for intending applicants

See details and register below

4pm, 26 October, 2023 Two-page pitch application deadline

30 November, 2023 Shortlisted Applicants Notified

This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

4th of December - 22nd of December

NZ On Air to hold feedback sessions with shortlisted applicants, and where necessary partner with EPs/senior producers to support the development of their full proposals.

18th of January, 2024 NZ On Air Round Toru Opens

4pm, 8th of February, 2024 Submission deadline for Round Toru

12th of April, 2024 Decisions for Round Toru

Applicants notified following day. This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

Helping you to apply

Amie Mills, NZ On Air Head of Funding and producer Thomas Coppell hosted a Q and A webinar for applicants on Thursday 12 October. This was an opportunity to talk applicants through the RFP and answer any questions related to preparing a pitch.

A recording of the webinar is here, for those who were unable to attend. You can also read FAQs below.

The $1.9m Aotearoa NZ/Pacific Regional Media Fund is a creative collaboration for the discovery and support of stories and storytelling that crosses national boundaries and strengthens ties with our closest Pacific neighbours.

The content created by successful applicants will be broadcast on Pasifika TV as well as Pacific broadcasters in the region. Additional distribution channels are welcome where these can be agreed for the selected projects. The 10 producers/teams selected will be invited to apply for funding to Round Tahi in 2024.

For more details, please read Expressions of Interest: Aotearoa NZ/Pacific Regional Media Fund.

Timeline

15 November 2023 - Expressions of Interest open for the Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Regional Media Fund

(All applications must be made through NZ On Air’s online application portal. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted. You must submit a request to register with our online system well in advance of the application deadline day).

29 November 2023 - Deadline for Expressions of Interest

19 December 2023 – All submitters notified if successful and able to progress to next stage.

(This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion)

5 February 2024 – Zoom/Teams fono with Pacific based producers/broadcasters

11 – 18 February 2024 – Online webinars held

29 February & 1 March – In-person workshop in Tāmaki Makaurau

3 April 2024 – Round Tahi opens

24 April 2024 – Round Tahi deadline for applications

Helping you to apply

If you have any questions or need more details on the Aotearoa NZ/Pacific Regional Media Fund, you are welcome to contact Nicole Rex at nicole@nzonair.govt.nz.

You can also read more on the fund in this media release.

Te Māngai Pāho and Irirangi Te Motu | NZ On Air have joined forces to support the Māori media sector and work collectively to improve the outcomes of the Maihi Karauna, the Crown’s strategy for Māori language revitalisation.

We are now calling for proposals for a Reo Māori Content Co-Fund and invite applicants creating high-end, te reo Māori Scripted content to apply for funding.

Applications for the Reo Māori Content Co-Fund will be managed and processed by Te Māngai Pāho. You can find the RFP with general eligibility guidelines below.

Up to $8m has been allocated for the co-fund to support and promote high-quality Scripted Māori content with a strong Māori world view and 30% or more te reo. We are also looking to fund Scripted Development, to ensure there are strong projects coming through in future funding rounds. Premium Non-Fiction projects are also eligible for this round but will need to provide a strong case for funding.

• Scripted applications need to contain 30% or more te reo Māori, have an eligible, established local platform attached and include evidence that the project is ready for production.
• Non-Fiction applications need to contain 30% or more te reo Māori, require significant research and tell a compelling story.
• Scripted Content Development applications do not need to have a complete plot script or season outline but applicants must demonstrate a good understanding of how additional development mahi will get their project ready for production in the future.

Applications for interactive content; radio and audio, including podcasts; platforms, games and apps will not be considered for funding in this round.

To apply, you must first register in Te Pūahatanga, the online application system operated by Te Māngai Pāho.

Timeline
Applications open – Monday 11 December 2023
Applications close – Thursday 15 February 2024
Decisions announced – Friday 19 April 2024

If you are interested in submitting an application or have any questions about eligibility, you can reach out to Juneea Silbery at juneea@tmp.govt.nz or the NZ On Air Funding Team at funding@nzonair.govt.nz.

Helping you to apply

Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air Head hosted a Q and A webinar for potential applicants on Wednesday 13 December 2023. This was an opportunity to talk through the RFP and answer any questions.

A recording of the webinar is here.

Two-page pitch applications are now invited for bold, innovative local projects that will reach and resonate with 15 - 24-year-old audiences on the platforms they find their content.

We are looking for digital-first, social media-native Scripted (fiction) and Non-Fiction (factual) video content for this audience.

Please read the Funding Round Information for Applicants: Youth RFP 2023-24 Two Page Pitch

Projects shortlisted through the two-page pitch process will be invited to submit full proposals to apply for production financing in Round Toru (Jan/April 2024).

Timeline

5 October, 2023 Two-page pitch round opens

All applications must be made through NZ On Air’s online application system. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted. You must submit a request to register with our online system well in advance of the application deadline day.

1pm 12 October, 2023 Webinar for intending applicants

See details and register below

4pm, 26 October, 2023 Two-page pitch application deadline

30 November, 2023 Shortlisted Applicants Notified

This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

4th of December - 22nd of December

NZ On Air to hold feedback sessions with shortlisted applicants, and where necessary partner with EPs/senior producers to support the development of their full proposals.

18th of January, 2024 NZ On Air Round Toru Opens

4pm, 8th of February, 2024 Submission deadline for Round Toru

12th of April, 2024 Decisions for Round Toru

Applicants notified following day. This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.

Helping you to apply

Amie Mills, NZ On Air Head of Funding and producer Thomas Coppell hosted a Q and A webinar for applicants on Thursday 12 October. This was an opportunity to talk applicants through the RFP and answer any questions related to preparing a pitch.

A recording of the webinar is here, for those who were unable to attend.

Our Youth Funding strategy centres on fostering mentorships, expanding career pathways, evolving funding processes, piloting a social media-first approach, and creating impactful storytelling. Please read the strategy below, and the infographic summarising important considerations in creating content for youth, and reaching them.

It is important New Zealanders know what their taxpayer dollars have funded. Consistent accreditation also helps reinforce the cultural value of this funding to Aotearoa.

There are specific requirements for the accreditation of funded children's content when it is broadcast or uploaded/published, and in publicity and promotional material. These accreditation requirements form part of the contract for pūtea tautoko.

Should you have further queries relating to these requirements or the NZ On Air tamariki logo assets, please contact: communications@nzonair.govt.nz

Our new content strategy for children's content (and soon for youth content) recognises the fundamental shift in the way these audiences find and consume content. They are online-centric and they're spoilt for choice. We're now encouraging content that is on multiple platforms at once - available where the viewers are. But this requires really good marketing and promotion.

We held a workshop in August 2023 with our partners at Contagion and Totally Awesome which focuses on what NZ On Air is doing to help increase discoverability, and provide great information to producers about creating promotional content themselves that will help drive audience discovery.

The workshop was livestreamed and recorded and the link is below. The presentation slide deck is also below.

****Please note the livestream audio drops out at about 14 minutes in and comes back at 16.40 - so hang in there- its worth coming back!

In the missing audio we emphasised the importance of thinking ahead and building a collection of owned media (your content, downloadables, behind the scenes footage, audio etc) to help feed the audiences' desire to engage with the content. You need to be doing this while you are making your funded content. While NZ On Air is funding some discoverability campaigns via Contagion, we can't afford to do this for all content. However if you've created the assets we can still help you to spread the word - our Comms team will work with you to promote your content on social media, via e-newsletters and media reviews.

If you have questions please contact Sarah Donaldson, Audience and Media Strategist at NZ On Air. sarahd@nzonair.govt.nz

Or our comms team communications@nzonair.govt.nz

Video of the workshop can be watched here.

On March 26 2018, NZ On Air and TVNZ launched HEIHEI as a free website, iOS app and Android app. The website featured newly-funded local content and a range of hand-picked international titles for primary-aged children.

On May 12 2020, it was announced that the underlying software platform supporting HEIHEI would no longer be available, and so HEIHEI video content was moved to its new home on TVNZ + and HEIHEI Games moved to a new digital platform.

More information about the history of HEIHEI, children's research, and HEIHEI brand assets for children's content funded prior to September 2022 is available here.

Sync licensing is when music is used within a piece of visual content, such as film, television, digital or games content. There are specialists, called Music Supervisors, whose role it is to work with the production to find where music can be used within that content. These specialists, work on these productions to bring together music alongside the visual content. Essentially the supervisors identify where in the script and/or the edit will music be heard or used, and recommend the best options for each scene within the production’s music budget. They also manage the agreements between the artists (sound recordings) and the writers (publishing rights), as well as the production company to obtain the "sync licensing" rights to the music.

Another specialist is Music Clearance, whose role it is to clear songs, both the publishing and sound recording rights, with rights owners and manage the licensing process and agreements. They are not involved in the creative.

Does sync licensing only refer to specially commissioned music or does it also include an existing New Zealand track?

Sync licensing can be specially commissioned music, specially composed music, licensing an existing music track, or licensing production music.

Why is NZ On Air encouraging greater use of local music in screen content?

Sync licensing is a huge paid opportunity for our local music and songs to be used to enhance the quality and reach of our local screen projects. It allows local artists to reach a wider national and international audience, and at the same time, build recognition for Aotearoa New Zealand’s wider music industry.

What is NZ On Air doing to increase the level of local music used in funded screen content?

We have recently begun funding specifically for sync licensing in Scripted applications. At present, sync licensing funding requests for Non-Fiction projects are not eligible due to funding constraints. While music can still play a role in Non-Fiction productions to set the tone or complement the storytelling, it is arguably not as integral to the overall narrative as it is in Scripted projects. We may make an exception for music-related projects that are able to make a strong case for funding, such as a music documentary, however those projects would need to seek an exemption from the Associate Head of Funding or Head of Funding at NZ On Air prior to submission.

How can I access this funding and/or find out more about it?

We recommend producers sign up to our NZ On Air newsletter and keep an eye on which rounds we are open to receiving applications from Scripted projects that plan to incorporate a significant amount of local music (both track licensing and composition) into their productions.

Projects seeking sync licensing funding should at the time of application provide a clear plan indicating the likely amount and type of music required along with intended personnel and timeframes.

It is unlikely that we will be able to accommodate all Scripted projects that request funding with an additional sync licensing budget. Priority will be given to projects that present the strongest rationale for why a deeper integration of local music will enhance and elevate their project.

Does it have to be NZ-based music?

The requirement for this funding is that it contains 80% New Zealand music. While not all of that music will be NZ On Air funded, here you can find our NZ On Air definition of “New Zealand Music”.

Who should I contact to find out more?

For more information, feel free to email us at funding@nzonair.govt.nz.

Useful Links:

NZ On Air Music's NewTracks is a monthly compilation of new music from New Zealand artists which is distributed to radio stations, broadcast and online media platforms. Starting in 1990 and now with over 250 volumes, NewTracks (previously called the Kiwi Hit Disc) is a comprehensive catalogue of New Zealand contemporary music.

Overview

In an environment where there are more applications than available funding, we want to show you how to submit an tono and how it will be assessed. More specific information is published prior to each round about the applications we are seeking. NZ On Air’s funding strategy is founded on core public media principles. These include enriching the New Zealand cultural experience, improving diversity of media content in many forms, ensuring kaupapa is accessible, strengthening community life, and promoting informed debate.

The resource below walks you through:

• Applying online
• General expectations of production applications
• Qualifying platforms
• Business case expectations such as co-investment
• The different levels of application requirements depending on the level of funding requested
• Applying for development funding
• How we assess proposals
• The fine print.

Scripted roadmap

We aim to invest around half our contestable funds each year in Scripted content.

This funding stream includes audio/visual drama, comedy, animation and other entertaining content requiring a planned creative approach.

Projects range from relatively large budget pouaka whakaata series and tele-features to smaller-scale quality webseries.

Scripted Roadmap 2018

Non-Fiction roadmap

We aim to invest around half our contestable funds each year in Non-Fiction content.

This funding stream invests in audio/visual documentary and Non-Fiction projects for diverse audiences.

Projects may involve different New Zealand regions and cultures, investigate significant local topics, cover events or issues important to our culture and identity, or reveal an aspect of te ao Māori.

NZ On Air's Factual Roadmap FINAL.pdf

Development roadmap

Development pūtea tautoko is for researching or writing scripts or treatments.

We mostly contribute to drama; and occasionally to documentary development.

To extend the range of scripted drama and comedy development projects we now offer a pathway for a limited number of eligible projects to access first-stage development funding without the support of a platform.

Development roadmap 2022 PDF 258.3 KB

Podcast Policy

This guidance sets out NZ On Air’s approach to funding the production of podcasts.

With increasing interest in this content format, this policy is intended to help podcast producers determine whether to apply for production funding.

NZ On Air's Podcast Funding Policy.pdf

Rautaki Māori

An important part of our funding strategy is to make special provision for Māori kaupapa.

Our Rautaki Māori ensures we:

• support the production of quality Māori content made for a general audience
• have good relationships with Māori content creators and
• uphold the mana tangata and mana iwi of funded content.

Our work complements the work of Te Māngai Pāho.
We focus on content in English for audiences interested in te ao Māori, encouraging the use of te reo as appropriate to normalise the language for non-fluent audiences.

Rautaki Māori 2018

Following the 2023 review of the NZ Screen Production Grant (NZSPG), significant changes occurred, including its rebranding as the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR).

NZ On Air is now capable of providing funding to all categories of screen productions applying for the NZSPR. Please read our NZSPR Guidelines below carefully to understand our priorities and requirements.

Overview

Your content proposal is your pitch where you describe and define the content you want to make, how and who will make it, and how you plan to reach your intended audience.

You do not need to follow this structure directly but you should address the aspects relevant to your tono.

As a general rule, the higher the level of funding requested the more developed and detailed we will require your application to be.

That said, less is often best. Be clear and succinct - there are no prizes for applications with the most pages.

Make sure you refer to the round information that we will issue for each funding round.

The pārongo below walks you through what you will need to consider such as:

• The quality of the idea
• The platform your content will be on
• How the content will be promoted
• Budget
• Measuring success
• How the proposal meets NZ On Air's goals.

Overview

This document clarifies NZ On Air’s expectations around acceptable pūtea/line-items for funded projects. It should be read in conjunction with the advice given on our resources for producers page, particularly the contract initiation form and the producers and cost reporting documents.

This document will be reviewed and updated regularly, so please do refer to it when preparing your tono budgets.

NZ On Air tries to limit the number of rules we have around acceptable budget/line-items, as we accept that every project has its own unique situation. However there are some line items we will not accept within any funded budget. There are also some specific expectations around how certain line items should be treated.

NZ On Air’s role is to provide a production subsidy for content creation, not provide a means for commissioning platforms to defray content acquisition expenses.

Overview

As there will be more applications than available funding, aromatawai stages are tiered so that ultimately the most work and resources are spent on the applications with the most likelihood of success.

We will assess proposals using the nine investment principles set out on page 15 of the NZ On Air Investment Strategy.

These investment principles allow us to assess the business case for each application alongside the application’s cultural case and how it contributes to NZ On Air’s three funding goals:

• Quality content: New Zealand audiences enjoy well-made local content that matters.
• Diverse content: New Zealand audiences value local content made for a range of communities.
• Discoverable content: New Zealand audiences can find and appreciate local content.

The pārongo below walks you through each step of the process. It covers:

• Preliminary step - confirm eligibility
• Stage 1 Assessment- groups of individual assessors assess applications while considering the nine investment principles
• Stage 2 Assessment - funding recommendations are prepared
• Stage 3 - Decisions by the Staff Investment Committee or the Board.

Overview

All applications must be able to confirm the platform where the content will appear.

This maximises the likelihood of funded content being completed and found by an audience.

NZ On Air’s funding strategy is founded on core public media principles.

These include enriching the New Zealand cultural experience, improving diversity of media content in many forms, ensuring kaupapa is accessible, strengthening community life, and promoting informed debate.

For more detail on the strategy which underpins the NZ Media Fund please read the Funding Strategy.

We also issue specific paearu for each round and guidelines to assist funding applicants.

The resource below walks you through what you will need to consider such as:

• Your financial contribution to the budget
• Free availability of the content
• Confirming support for a project
• Providing audience data
• Fine print