NZ On Air’s first funding round of the financial year is backing a new series from the makers of the hit BAFTA-nominated show After the Party.
$9million was allocated in this round for Scripted projects, with priority being given to those accessing the Screen Production Rebate in the interests of encouraging third party investment and creating ambitious content that delivers to local and international audiences. Ten applications were received seeking close to $22million.
Luminous Beast, who co-produced After The Party, have been funded for a new comedy drama, titled All Of Me. Centred on a pathological people pleaser who secretly clones herself a replacement, and finds she’s suddenly forced to deal with all of herself, it will screen on Sky Open, Neon and Sky Go.
Returning for a second season is the comedy musical series Happiness, on Three and ThreeNow. A critical success in its first season, Happiness 2 focuses on the competitive feuds at Pizazz Theatre, where sabotage, scandal and two rival musicals battle for the spotlight.
Also returning in 2026 is Aotearoa’s longest-running soap Shortland Street. Last year NZ On Air funding of $3million, alongside the Screen Production Rebate, was needed to keep the show on air while the producers and TVNZ adapted the show in response to the challenging media environment.
NZ On Air Head of Funding Amie Mills says the agency recognises how tough the commercial media environment is right now, and the effort going in behind the scenes to return Shortland Street to a sustainable commercial model. Prior to last year the show had not required any public funding since 1995.
“Our continued investment in Shortland Street reflects our commitment to preserving the content that matters to New Zealand audiences. Shortland Street has proven its cultural significance time and again, particularly in how it connects with rangatahi and reflects the evolving face of modern New Zealand. It's not just about keeping a show on air - it's about maintaining a platform where New Zealand stories, voices and faces remain visible and relevant. That's precisely what our funding is designed to achieve.”
Both All Of Me and Happiness 2 have been able to bring international funding into their budgets, alongside the rebate, which is important to the economic success of local screen production.
“What's particularly encouraging is watching our local content achieve the standard of excellence that draws international market investment, even in this challenging global production climate," said Amie Mills. "It's proof that distinctive New Zealand storytelling has genuine international appeal and commercial viability.”
Rounding out the Scripted projects funded is Day One Shorts 2026, a series of stories by emerging content creators from across Aotearoa New Zealand, that will screen across RNZ, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and the Day One Shorts website.
Note: All funding commitments are based on the funding applications received and must be contracted within a specified timeframe. Funding is only released, in stages, as contractual commitments are met. Funds committed but not contracted within the specified timeframe are written back and distributed in future funding rounds.
Funding details
All Of Me, 8 x 22’, Luminous Beast for Sky Open and Sky Go and Neon, up to $2,730,000
Shortland Street 2026, 120 x 23’, South Pacific Pictures for TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+, up to $2,500,000
Happiness 2, 6 x 23’, Greenstone TV for Three and ThreeNow, up to $2,165,000
Day One Shorts, 8 x 10’, Connected Media Trust for RNZ, Whakaata Māori, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, up to $405,000