Round Toru update; some big wins and huge milestones; and news from the sector.
Round Toru update
The third funding round of the financial year, Round Toru, closed on 29 January and the funding team is working their way through funding assessments.
This round received 107 applications seeking a total of $53.2m in funding.
In addition, the Music team is assessing 28 New Music Project applications, 8 New Music Project Kids applications and 84 New Music Pasifika applications.
Round Toru decisions are due Fri 10 April.
Emmy win for Secrets at Red Rocks
Huge congratulations to Libertine Pictures and composers Stephen Gallagher and David Long for last week’s big win – taking home a Children’s & Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Live Action Program for an episode of Secrets at Red Rocks.
The series also picked up nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Preschool or Children’s Series (Martha Hardy‑Ward) and Outstanding Editing for a Preschool or Children’s Live Action Program (Alex Boyd).
This Emmy win follows a strong run for the series on the awards circuit, including being named National Winner – Best Children’s Programme at the Asian Academy Creative Awards and receiving multiple finalist nominations at the 2025 NZ Screen Awards.
Produced by Libertine Pictures, the series is co-commissioned by BYUtv (US) and Sky New Zealand Originals, with investment from NZ On Air. A second season of Secrets at Red Rocks is now in production in Wellington. Ka rawe team!
Country Calendar celebrates 60 years
This week marks 60 years of Hyundai Country Calendar – the highest‑rating series funded by NZ On Air which has been proudly supported since 1991 and continues to be a favourite for Kiwi audiences.
NZ On Air Chief Executive Cameron Harland says the long‑running favourite continues to embody the heart of public media, with every episode “delivering a meaningful reflection of New Zealand’s identity and culture, helping New Zealanders feel more connected to our nation, land and people”.
NZ On Air has supported the iconic series for three decades, with audiences still tuning in at scale — it averaged 572,000 viewers on TVNZ 1 in 2025 and consistently ranks in the TVNZ+ Top 10.
A special anniversary collection is now streaming on TVNZ+, or you can catch the new season on Sundays at 7pm on TVNZ 1. You can also read more about the history and making of Country Calendar on NZ On Screen.
Games update
The Game Development Sector Rebate (GDSR) is off to a strong start this year, with more than 50 studios registering – including 11 first‑time applicants. It’s great to welcome new studios into the scheme and see continued growth across the motu.
Registrations came from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to Ōtepoti Dunedin, highlighting the breadth of game development talent across Aotearoa.
Studios that have successfully registered are invited to apply when GDSR Applications open on 1 April. Applications close 4pm, Friday 15 May.
To support businesses preparing to apply – as well as anyone wanting to learn more about the rebate – NZ On Air and the NZGDA will host a webinar on Tuesday 17 March from 3–4pm. The session will walk through the full application process, including a detailed look at financial reporting requirements.
You can register via the NZGDA Events page. More information on the GDSR is available on our website.
An opportunity for influence and innovation in the creative sector
NZ On Screen and AudioCulture (run by the Digital Media Trust) are seeking a new Executive Director.
Primarily funded by NZ On Air, and with a small team of staff and contractors based in Wellington and Auckland, this is a hands-on leadership role at an exciting time for DMT. They are looking for an experienced leader with a genuine passion for the screen and/or music industries and strong connections into the sectors.
If you’re interested, or know someone who could be, check out more information about the job here.
Applications close Sunday 22 March.
CNZ Cultural Diplomacy Fund
Manatū Taonga | The Ministry for Culture and Heritage (MCH) has refreshed its Cultural Diplomacy Fund to align with its Amplify strategy, with two funding rounds planned for this year – in March and September.
The fund supports activities that lift the international visibility of Aotearoa’s cultural and creative sectors, deliver economic benefits, strengthen diplomatic, trade and tourism interests, and raise New Zealand’s profile overseas.
Individuals and organisations planning cultural or creative activity overseas are encouraged to apply. Around $3m is available for new projects delivered between July 2025 and June 2029.
The first round of 2026 is now open and closes 31 March, with decisions announced in July. You can find out more on the MCH website.
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