Scripted content

Stories that engaged audiences

We celebrate the art of Scripted storytelling that engage audiences in Aotearoa New Zealand and overseas with quality drama and comedy series.

In 2024/25 we invested $45.25m in Scripted content, ranging from prime time drama, some with international co-production and NZ Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR) support, a comedy musical that has been picked up by PBS and HBO Max, children’s live action and animated series and support for the country’s longest running soap. This content appeared on 14 different platforms.

Our Scripted funding stream sits within the Creation pou, as described in the Investment Strategy.

The investment

While our remit focuses on serving New Zealand audiences and reflecting our national identity and culture, the exceptional talent of our local screen creatives ensures that New Zealand stories travel the globe.

The 2023 change to the settings of the domestic NZSPR was a game-changer. The change allowed NZ On Air funding to be combined with the NZSPR for all categories of screen productions. This has meant we can now invest in the creation of more series, with greater international ambitions and budgets. Since 2023/24, we have invested in 10 dramas of scale with the average investment being $2.4m (19% of the budget) and an average budget of $12.6m. These 10 dramas in turn attracted $40m in non-government funding, the majority of which were international funds.

In 2024/25 we co-invested in eight Scripted projects that qualified for NZSPR with an average ask of NZ On Air of $1.8m and an average total budget of $8.5m.

The outcomes

As it takes time to produce quality Scripted projects, many of the success stories highlighted below were funded in years prior to 2024/25. This section focuses on content audiences were able to enjoy in the 2024/25 year and demonstrates the quality and reach of local screen content.

New content released on local broadcaster on demand sites attracted 24.3m streams during the year (this includes Non-fiction). Even accounting for the substantial contribution of Shortland Street – the top-performing show on TVNZ+ – these figures demonstrate exciting audience growth for local content on streaming platforms.

A Remarkable Place to Die

With a stellar cast led by Chelsea Preston-Crayford, A Remarkable Place To Die has cemented itself as a firm favourite with audiences here and internationally.

Filmed entirely in Queenstown, and exploring intriguing homicides against the stunning backdrop of the Remarkables, it prompted a UK distribution partner on first viewing to comment ‘I want to come to New Zealand’.

With a comprehensive finance plan drawing on the NZSPR, investment from ZDF in Germany, and pre-sales to Acorn in the US and Nine in Australia, NZ On Air’s contribution was modest compared to the quality of the series and the audience reach.

The series has exceeded Screentime’s ratings expectations around the world. It’s believed to be one of the first New Zealand series to play in prime time on Australia’s Channel Nine.  Acorn was also thrilled with the results, while ZDF said the VOD viewing numbers “exceeded all expectations”.

Series 2 is now underway, and ZDF is committed to a third season.

A Remarkable Place to Die was the top show via on demand in 2024/25, averaging 230K+ streams per episode.

Funded April 2024, released November 2024 on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+

$350,000 funding to Remarkable Productions (Screentime) from NZ On Air, and NZSPR.

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Madam

Comedy series Madam delivered laughs from inside an ethical, feminist brothel in small town New Zealand. Starring Rachel Griffiths and Martin Henderson, Madam followed the entrepreneurial journey of Mack Leigh, whose response to the discovery of her husband's affair with a sex worker was to enter the industry herself, as a Madam.

Receiving a warm response in Aotearoa New Zealand, it also resounded around the globe and has been picked up by Netflix for distribution. It represented great value for money, with NZ On Air investment alongside NZSPR.

Co-executive producers Nua Finau and Tom Hern say they’re extremely proud of how the series has performed domestically and internationally.

“The series has scooped high-profile awards in Berlin, London, Monte Carlo and at the Asian Academy Awards. After a strong debut on Three, it also proved a hit with Australian audiences on Channel Nine, and momentum continues to build with a Netflix launch in October 2025.”

Madam won Best Comedy Drama series at the Content London C21 International Drama Awards, and Best Comedy at the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

Madam’s success was welcomed by the team at Three (now Sky Free).

“We are thrilled that Madam, supported by the Te Punakairangi – Premium Fund for International Audiences and NZ On Air, was a resounding success here in NZ and is currently resonating with a wider audience internationally,” says Sky Free’s Senior Director, Content, Matt Barthow. “The numerous awards Madam has already garnered worldwide are a testament to its universal appeal and we’re honoured to have played a part in its creation.”

Funded July 2022, released July 2024 on Three and ThreeNow

$800,000 NZ On Air funding to Empowered Productions, and NZSPR.

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Happiness

Described by reviewer Karl Puschmann as “a real showstopper”, Happiness was just the antidote audiences needed in 2025. In a genre not often created in New Zealand, the musical comedy centres on a small-town theatre company, an ex-Broadway director (Harry McNaughton) and his Mum (Rebecca Gibney) who ropes him into her theatre group’s new production.

The show also delivered an original soundtrack by Luke Di Somma, which was nominated for an APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award. The soundtrack attracted additional NZ On Air funding under our Synch Licensing initiative, which aims to see more original local music in screen productions.

The show also brought, well, happiness to the commissioning team at Three (now Sky Free).

“Happiness, as its name suggests, was a true joy to work on from beginning to end. The show’s critical acclaim and genuine audience reception are a testament to its broad appeal, and we are thrilled it’s found a home with HBO Max and audiences internationally,” says Sky Free Senior Commissioner, Tina McLaren.

“We are a company that champions innovative storytelling, and we are proud to have played a role in bringing NZ’s first musical comedy series to life.”

Happiness has been sold to PBS in the US and HBO Max in Australia, and is now entertaining audiences on Air New Zealand flights. NZ On Air has announced funding for a second series.

Funded July 2023, released April 2025 on Three and ThreeNow. 

$3,112,146 funding to Greenstone TV from NZ On Air

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