Non-fiction strategy

Our investments in Non-fiction content (aka Factual) fall under the Creation stream of our Investment Model.

Non-fiction is defined as any media content that attempts, in good faith, to convey information about the real world, rather than being grounded in imagination or fictionalisation. It includes genres like documentaries, current affairs, events coverage, comedy panel shows, and unscripted comedy.

Funded content may involve different regions and cultures across Aotearoa, investigate topics of current or historic interest, provide useful local information, or cover an event or issue important to culture and identity in Aotearoa.

Non-fiction content can empower a democratic society, supporting the public’s right to be informed on issues that affect them and their communities.

Creators looking to apply for Non-fiction funding should read the General Application Guidelines and the Information for Applicants for the round they are applying to for more information.

Specialist current affairs is an area commercial platforms increasingly find difficult to support in a highly competitive market.

We primarily fund audio visual content, rather than text-based journalism, because we are the Broadcasting Commission and our mission under the Broadcasting Act is broadcast content. (Under the Act 'broadcast' includes content online.)

(Note that the time-limited Public Interest Journalism Fund extensively funded text-based journalism as it had a broader remit, but that fund ceased as at 30 June 2023.)

We provide funding support for priority genres to add diversity to the airwaves. The priority is spoken programmes on nationwide platforms to reach the largest number of listeners.

This funding is for public media audio content on a variety of platforms but primarily commercial radio. ( RNZ has ring-fenced funding.)

This funding fills an important need, bringing topics to listeners that would not otherwise be covered. Our priorities in Spoken Content are:

• content for children and youth
• Māori content in English
• spiritual content
• and content for minority audiences including ethnic minorities.

Podcasts

With increasing interest by New Zealanders in podcasts, NZ On Air accepts applications for funding under either Scripted or Non-fiction in the general funding rounds.

NZ On Air defines a podcast as an episodic series of digital audio files, which a user can download or stream over the internet and listen to via a computer or mobile device. Podcasts are similar to radio programmes in form, but they exist as audio files that can be played at the user’s convenience anytime or anywhere.

How we will assess podcast applications

With finite funds we must determine which podcasts most warrant public funding.

• We rarely fund interview-style podcasts with low production costs, as these are generally commercially viable without public investment.
• We may consider higher-investment performance or comedy-led podcast series where the primary rationale is talent development and the creation of screen-adjacent IP.
• All podcasts we fund should have a well-defined distribution plan to reach a sizable audience.
• Podcast applications must be supported by a local broadcaster or platform. However we may make an exception for experienced podcast producers who can demonstrate a clear pathway to audience via an established media brand and a strong distribution plan. Read more about platform support.
• In certain cases, we may consider funding projects behind a paywall if there is a significant contribution from the platform and if the content will also be made available for free.

Please read more in the Investment Model or contact the Funding team if you have any questions about your podcast project's eligibility.

Children and young people are priority audiences for NZ On Air. Public media funding ensures there is a range of content available for young New Zealanders that reflects and connects them.

We fund a wide range of Non-fiction content for young people on many platforms, including:

• animation
• long-run magazine series
• digital-first content
• games.

The content aims to be both entertaining and educational.

Because their needs and media use are quite different to adult audiences, we have specific strategies for reaching children and youth with content they can relate to and engage with on the platforms they use.

We make special provision for Māori content, as described in our Rautaki Māori. Māori content plays a crucial part in our purpose of reflecting and developing Aotearoa’s identity and culture.

Our funding is targeted at content that will appeal to all New Zealanders, including Māori.

We also undertake an ancillary and complementary role to the Māori Broadcasting funding agency Te Māngai Pāho, collaborating on projects that meet our shared objectives.