Karere | Newsletter - 25 November 2025

A note from the CEO

As we approach the year end at what feels like light-speed I’m sure you are all feeling as ready for a break as we are! It was wonderful to catch up with many screen industry folk at the SPADA conference last week. I hope you all found something to inspire and lift you. And we hope all who went to the new NZ Screen Awards enjoyed the celebration of the incredible quality of local screen content.

Our final funding round of the calendar year was completed with our Board hui last week. In this newsletter you will discover what’s been funded in this round, and other news from the agency.

This includes, sadly, the resignation of our amazing Senior Funding Advisor Nicole Rex. Nicole has been the heart and soul of the funding team over the past nine years, building close relationships with our stakeholders in Access media, Student radio and Pacific media. She also led last year’s Aotearoa New Zealand Pacific Regional Media Fund. We are going to miss her hugely, but we are also excited for her as she takes a big step in a new direction, as General Manager, Pasifika On Air at Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Ltd. We are now recruiting for a new person to join the team. The job ad is linked later in this newsletter.

We were thrilled with the response to our first New Music Project Touring pilot funding round. With 36 applications received and 20 artists funded it shows there is a real need for this funding to support touring as a key way to promote new albums or EPs. We have committed to juggling funds to ensure another round can be run in April next year.

Finally, I hope those of you with children, or who make children’s content, have by now checked out the new home for local children’s content on YouTube – KIDOGO and KIDOGO Junior. We have launched these two channels on YouTube and YouTube Kids with the intention of providing another place to discover local content – on a platform 69% of children are using daily. All the content also exists or has recently been on other local platforms, but this provides one easy way for families, children and teachers to discover a range of local stories and songs in one place. Just in time for the school holidays!

Ngā mihi
Cameron

Looking ahead

Our next funding round, Toru, is the third and final round of the 2025/26 financial year.

Applications open: Thurs 11 December

Applications close: Thurs 29 January 2026 at 4.00pm

Decisions due: Fri 10 April 2026

Information for applicants

The Round Toru Information for Applicants will be available on our website from Wednesday 3 December. These guidelines will give a clear outline of the applications that will be prioritised across the funding streams in this round, as well as the financial allocations for each.

Round Toru applicant information webinar

We will be hosting a Round Toru applicant information webinar on Thursday 4 December from 3-4pm, the day after the Information for Applicants guidelines are available. This is an opportunity to hear from the NZ On Air Funding team and ask any questions you have about the application process or priorities for this round.

To register for the webinar, just email funding@nzonair.govt.nz with the subject line 'Round Toru Info webinar' and we will send you a Zoom link closer to the time.

Latest funding round - overview

Round Rua is the second funding round of the financial year. The round was open to applications covering a range of audiences and genres: Scripted, Non-fiction, Podcasts, Tamariki, Rangatahi, Content Development, and Capability and Discoverability. This was also the funding round where we accepted applications for Journalism projects and Development that is not supported by a platform.

This round welcomed projects seeking to access the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) for either Scripted or Non-fiction productions. We sought to prioritise NZSPR applications that required ‘last-in’ funding in the range of $1m-$3m, with the potential to contract and move into pre-production swiftly.

We received 166 applications from 131 applicants requesting total funding of $70.9m.

To see how funds were allocated by platform and by target audiences check out the funding tracker on our website.

Journalism

NZ On Air has been able to extend funding for two vital journalism initiatives that are reporting on public institutions, thanks to additional funding from Government in Budget 2025.
In May NZ On Air was allocated an additional $1.6m a year over four years “to support local journalism, with a particular focus on reporting on local democracy and justice matters of interest to communities”.
To read about the journalism and current affairs projects funded, see our Media Release here.

Te Māngai Paho - NZ On Air Co-Fund

NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho have funded up to $8m of high-quality Scripted and Non-fiction reo Māori language content for a broad audience and containing 30% or more te reo Māori. Scripted content development applications were also invited into the round as well as applications that qualify for the NZSPR.

Two Scripted applications and one Non-fiction application were recommended for total production funding of $7.2m, funded 50/50 by Te Māngai Pāho and NZ On Air.

The two returning Scripted series are comedy Dead Ahead 2, and End of the Valley 2. In Non-fiction, The Casketeers: Life and Death Around the Globe 2 will see hosts Francis and Kaiora Tipene dive deeper into life, death and everything in between.

Coming up:
All the Music Funding dates for 2026 are up on our website.  You can also check out our Music funding page for information on all our rounds.

The next rounds to open are:

• New Music Single – opens Thursday 11 December and closes 4pm, Thursday 15 January 2026, with decisions 12th February.
• New Music Project and New Music Project Kids – opens Thursday 11 December and closes Thursday 29 January 2026, with decisions 24th March.

Webinar

We will be holding a webinar on New Music Project Kids on Wednesday 3 December at 5pm, ahead of the round opening on Thursday 11 December.

In the session, the team will be sharing advice on the New Music Project Kids funding stream, and will walk through the application process, criteria and eligibility. Wewill also have information on our recently launched KIDOGO YouTube Kids channels.

To register for the webinar, click here. A link will then be emailed to you closer to the time.

Aotearoa Alternative Awards

The Aotearoa Alternative Awards were held in early November, with 10 national awards presented to some of Aotearoa’s favourite alternative and independent musicians and bands from across the motu.

The awards, held by the Student Radio Network (SRN) and supported by NZ On Air, showcase the cultural creativity that is shared across the SRN network.

You can read more about the 2025 awards here.

GDSR Update

This quarter, the GDSR team took part in the New Zealand Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) in Wellington, which drew close to 1,000 attendees, 164 speakers and over 70 games studios. Our GDSR presentation shared industry insights two years into the rebate. You can watch the full talk here.

Looking ahead, the GDSR team is already laying the groundwork for 2026, with registrations opening on 20 January 2026.

Sector Success:

• Playful, the first New Zealand–based playtesting service, was officially launched by GDSR recipient Insight Creative. It’s already being recognised as a much-needed addition to the local development ecosystem.
• Dunedin-based Deep Field Games’ Abiotic Factor was nominated for both Achievement in Accessibility and the ANZ Indie Game Award at the Indie Game of the Year Awards. The title has now surpassed 1.4 million copies sold.
• Auckland-based Mytona partnered with Westlake Boys High School to launch a full game development programme.
• And, Jonathan Rodgers, co-founder of Grinding Gear Games, announced plans to establish a STEM-focused school inspired by Finland’s education model, with physics, programming and game design. The school already has 87 families on the waitlist.

Seeking a funding advisor superstar

We are seeking a Funding Advisor to join the Funding Team. This position supports content creators to understand NZ On Air’s funding processes, helping them navigate application criteria and priorities. Building strong relationships is central, connecting with creators, broadcasters, platforms and communities, and being the friendly face of NZ On Air in the sector.

If you’re interested in finding out more here’s the job ad.

Funding decisions list

Professional Development Music

The Codes, Higher Ground Limited, up to $20,000

Parachute Music's Musician Initiatives 2026, Parachute Arts Trust, up to $20,000

SongHubs 2026, APRA AMCOS NZ, up to $15,000

Professional Development Non Music

Waitaha Screenwriting Development Incubator 2026, Te Puna Matarau, up to $25,000

Niu Waves 2026, Pacific Islands Screen Artists, up to $61,000

FutureFrames: NZ AI Short Film Hackathon, Screen Music and Sound Guild of New Zealand, up to $25,000

Discoverability Supports Music

Aotearoa Music Awards 2026, Recorded Music NZ, up to $60,000

Taite Music Prize 2026, Independent Music NZ (IMNZ), up to $12,500.00

Discoverability Supports Non Music

NZ Radio & Podcast Awards 2026, Radio Broadcasters Association, up to $10,000

Doc Edge Industry 2026, The Documentary New Zealand Trust, up to $35,000

Māoriland Film Festival 2026, Māoriland Charitable Trust, up to $25,000

WIFT Awards 2026, WIFT NZ Incorporated, up to $10,000

SPADA Conference 2025, Spada, up to $15,000

Doc Edge Awards 2026, The Documentary New Zealand Trust, up to $15,000

Voyager Media Awards 2026, Newspaper Publishers' Association, up to $15,000

Platform Capital Fund

Access Radio Taranaki - Capital 2025, Access Radio Taranaki Trust up to $50,461

MCN Kids Channel

KIDOGO Channel Management 2025/26, Rogue Productions up to $128,429

Te Māngai Pāho Co-Fund

Dead Ahead 2, 6 × 22.5’, Hi Mama for TVNZ+, up to $1,449,496

End Of The Valley 2- The Price of Tomorrow, 6 × 26’, Miro Productions for Whakaata Māori, up to $1,360,618

The Casketeers: Life And Death Around The Globe 2, 5 × 44’, Great Southern Television for TVNZ 1, up to $720,259

Scripted

Kiwi, 1 x 80’, Penny Diver Pictures Limited for TVNZ+, up to $36,083 (additional)

Tralala 2, 52 × 7’, Tralala Limited for Sky Open, up to $1,994,190

Māui And Elvis, 8 × 22’, Whitebait Productions for Whakaata Māori, up to $2,300,000

Tamaiti Satalo, 12 × 13’, Cinco Cine Film Productions for YouTube Kids, up to $360,000

Suzy & Friends 2026, 53 × 60’ min, Treehut for various platforms, up to $232,265

Toi Time 5, 20 × 30’ min, Rogue Productions for TVNZ 2, up to $1,226,749

Aho Shorts Production 2025-26, 5 episodes × 10’, Ngā Aho Whakaari, up to $115,000

Chan, 6 × 44’, Kevin & Content for Three, up to $2,433,309

Dead Losi, 6 × 44’, The Sweetshop Entertainment for TVNZ+, up to $3,250,000

Inky Pinky Ponky 2 , 1× 75’, Tikilounge Productions for The Coconet TV, up to $1,292,568

Non-Fiction

Bad Intentions, 7 × 8’, Fire Fire for YouTube, up to $222,374

Alien Nation - The Yellow Peril, 1 × 60’, Tawera Productions for RNZ, up to $220,320

Christmas 2025, 18 × 53’, Christian Broadcasting Association for NewstalkZB, up to $55,800

Easter 2026, 12 × 53’, Christian Broadcasting Association for NewstalkZB, up to $45,668

DNZ: The Preppers Next Door, 1 × 44’, Our Story Ltd for TVNZ 1, up to $321,478

Licence To Drive 2, 6 × 23’, Sweet Productions for Sky Open, up to $644,400

Desert Pirates - A Forgotten History, 5 × 25’, Bird of Paradise Productions for NZ Herald, up to $179,829

Waitangi 2026, 1 × 180’, Cinco Cine Film Productions for Whakaata Māori, up to $162,500

Best Foods Comedy Gala 2026, 2 × 44’, Sky Free for Three, up to $207,590

DNZ: Sleep, 1 × 43’, Razor Films for TVNZ 1, up to $286,377

Frank: Stories From The South 4, 15 × 8’, Frank Film for Frank Film, up to $422,845

Tagata Pasifika 2026, 32 × 23’, SunPix for TVNZ 1, up to $1,266,920

KEA Kids News 2026, 208 × 4’, Luke Nola & Friends for YouTube Kids, up to $1,596,057

The Nutters Club, 48 × 90’, I Am Hope Foundation for NewstalkZB, up to $85,460

DNZ: Exposure, 1 × 45’, Kindred Films Ltd for TVNZ 1, up to $293,660

Finding Andrew, 1 × 52’, Red Sky Film & Television for Newsroom NZ, up to $264,180

Escaping Utopia 2, 2 × 44’, Warner Bros. International Television Production NZ for TVNZ 1, up to $460,580

Diary Of A Junior Doctor 2, 5 × 44’, Storymaker for TVNZ 1, up to $700,990

Fresh 2026, 27 × 22’, Tikilounge Productions for The Coconet TV, up to $1,557,888

Pā Life 2, 6 × 15’, Three Feathers Productions for YouTube, up to $651,610

Beyond The Beat 2, 5 × 20’, Chillbox Creative for YouTube, up to $592,824

ANZAC 2026, 1 × 37’, Screentime New Zealand for TVNZ 1, up to $147,730

Breaking Cycles, 8 × 12’, Magnetic Pictures Ltd for TP+, up to $357,719

Kia Eats The World, 6 × 18’, Mahi Tahi Media for Māori+, up to $373,950

Eat Well For Less 6, 6 × 44’, Screentime New Zealand for TVNZ 1, up to $552,000

Taskmaster NZ 7, 10 × 44’, Kevin & Content for TVNZ 2, up to $990,231

Journalism

Local Democracy Reporting 2026, Radio New Zealand for RNZ and partner platforms including Newsroom NZ, NZ Herald, Stuff, TVNZ 1 and Whakaata Māori, up to $1,562,304.

Tagata Pasifika 2026, 30 x 23' and 1 x 46’, Sunpix for viewing on TVNZ 1, Sky Open, Whakaata Māori, Face TV and Pasifika TV plus 31 x 2’ video stories for TP+, up to $1,266,920.

Paddy Gower Has Issues 3, 8 x 44’, Believer Media for viewing on Three, ThreeNow, Stuff, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, up to $1,068,008.

Q&A with Jack Tame 2026, 39 x 59' and 2 x 118’, Television New Zealand for viewing on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+, up to $860,962.

Open Justice 2026, NZME for NZ Herald with content shared on RNZ, Whakaata Māori, Top South Media and Allied Media, up to $659,527.

The Detail 2026, 266 x 22', Newsroom NZ podcast series for Newsroom NZ, RNZ and YouTube, up to $562,014.

Mata 4, 4 x 30' and 20 x 26’, Aotearoa Media Collective for viewing on RNZ, up to $469,335.

Newsroom Investigates 2026, 27 x 25’, Newsroom NZ podcast series for Newsroom NZ, up to $439,484.

Music Features

Mediaworks Kiwi Discovery 2026, Mediaworks Radio, up to $250,000

Pulzar Grid City Grooves, Dew Oh Holdings Ltd t/a Pulzar FM, up to $20,000

Most FM 2026, Taranaki FM Trust (The Most FM), up to $20,000

Pulzar NZ electronica 2026, Dew Oh Holdings Ltd t/a Pulzar FM, up to $20,000

Most FM Kiwiana Show 2026, Taranaki FM Trust (The Most FM), up to $20,000

Most FM Under the Mic 2026, Taranaki FM Trust (The Most FM), up to $20,000

Smokefree Rockquest & Tangata Beats 2026, Rockquest Promotions, up to $100,000

SOUNZ Films 2026, Centre for New Zealand Music Trust (SOUNZ), up to $100,000

Anthemz Fresh Anthemz 2026, Anthemz Entertainment, up to $20,000

NZME Locals Only 2026, NZME Radio, up to $200,000

New Music Project

CHAII - VIP LP, up to $55,000

Casual Healing - EP, up to $24,365

DARTZ - Cool Change LP, up to $33,000

Drax Project - 2026 Project, up to $55,000

Goodwill - 2026 LP, up to $44,000

JessB - 2026 LP, up to $44,000

MELODOWNZ - 2026 LP, up to $55,000

TALI - 2026 LP, up to $28,309

SXMPRA - Existential Crisis LP, up to $55,000

Office Dog - Prime Corner LP, up to $44,715

Tadpole - 2026 LP, up to $44,000

Te Wehi - Down to the Wire LP, up to $44,000

New Music Project Touring

Bic Runga, Tour, up to $40,000

Corrella, Third Album Release Tour, up to $30,000

Blindspott, Summer Tour, up to $40,000

Deva Mahal, Tour, up to $25,000

Foley, Tour, up to $15,000

Sola Rosa, Tour, up to $20,000

Kaylee Bell, Cowboy Up Tour, up to $40,000

Rhian Sheehan & Arli Liberman, Tour, up to $20,000

Dick Move, Dream, Believe, Achieve Album Tour, up to $18,105

PARK RD, Tour, up to $20,874

Rei, Moisturise and Decolonise Tour, up to $8,859

Borderline, Tour, up to $30,000

Earth Tongue, Dungeon Vision Tour, up to $24,635

Theia, Tour, up to $15,000

Mel Parsons, Tour, up to $35,000

Muroki, Tour, up to $30,000

alayna, Set Her Free Tour, up to $15,000

Delaney Davidson, Tour, up to $30,000

Beastwars, Tour, up to $13,612

The Black Seeds, Tour, up to $30,000

New Music Single (each receive up to $11,000)

1 Drop Nation, Irie Loving feat. Chad Chambers

Beth Torrance, Suzy May

CAITLIN, You're Only Good To Calm Me Down

Chase Woods, Brandn Shiraz, Choice Vaughan, YONDER, Wastin My Youth

EDYONTHEBEAT, Coastin' feat. Donson PK

Emerson, Again

Emily Bateman, Do You Think It's Over?

Emily C. Browning, Can't Help Myself

Frankie Venter, She's Leaving

Gin Wigmore, Country Diamond

Hamo Dell, Worth The Wait

Imani-J, talk is cheap

Jenni Smith, Mirror

Lucy Gray, Like A Star

OSQAR ROSE, Summertime's Coming

RAZÉ, Your Plan

Salt Water Criminals, Solemn Two-Step

Sam Cullen, Oh So Lonely

Shivers, I Wanna Be Steady

The Rising Tide, Deathwish

Tusekah, Lay It Down

TiMMY The First, AIR

Verity, Like It's London

Will McClean, No Giving Up feat. Young Gho$t

Body Ocean, Listen To Your Teacher feat. Beni Ola

Carnivorous Plant Society, Busy Garden

Clæmus, Nemesis

FERBY, Siren feat. Cello

Made You Look, Lover

Sanoi, Phasing Thoughts