Welcome back to 2024!
We are kicking off the new calendar year with an update on Round Toru. Applications are open now and the deadline is 4pm, 8 February.
Got questions?
We will host a Q&A webinar on 1 February 2024 from 3-4pm where we will answer your questions about Round Toru. The Funding team from NZ On Air will be hosting the session on Zoom.
If you are interested in attending, you just need to pre-register for the webinar by emailing funding@nzonair.govt.nz. A Zoom link will be sent to you closer to the time.
We want to be approachable and helpful as you write and submit your applications. We acknowledge that navigating funding processes can be confusing, so we plan to run Zoom Q&A sessions in conjunction with all future funding rounds so that we’re available to answer your questions.
Round Toru: What you need to know
This funding round is focused on Priority and General audiences. Non-Fiction and Scripted applications will be considered – that includes children’s content, podcasts, games and also part-financing of feature films – plus applications for platform-supported Non-Fiction and Scripted content development.
Also in this round, we have allocated an extra $2m for new projects from Māori-owned production companies. This funding comes from the additional $10m in pūtea we were allocated for this financial year, ending June 2024.
Applications that were shortlisted in the Within My Reach youth RFP in December 2023 should also submit their production funding applications in this round. In line with our Youth funding strategy, Within My Reach is an initiative looking to fund a variety of bold, innovative local projects to reach 15–24 year olds on the platforms they use.
Round Toru Timeline
Thursday 18 January 2024 - Funding round opened. Applications must be made through our funding portal. Applications not submitted through this system will not be accepted.
Thursday 8 February 2024, 4pm - Round closes. Late applications will not be considered. In very exceptional circumstances, for time-sensitive projects agreed prior by the Head of Funding, we may consider an out-of-time application.
Friday 12 April 2024 - Decisions confirmed, applicants notified. Please note, this date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.
Last year, we revised all our application deadlines for 2024/25 – you can find the document with all the updated deadlines here.
Application Limits
Due to increasing demand for our funding, we have introduced limits on applications. The proportion of applications we decline has grown as the number of applications we receive has outpaced the amount of pūtea we have available.
Producers and production companies are limited to a maximum of four applications, with a maximum of two applications per category (Scripted, Non-Fiction, Content Development, Industry Capability, Discoverability). Platforms can submit up to 10 applications per round, with no restrictions per category. Please note, the cap doesn’t apply to Children’s applications or returning series.
If you have a strong case for exceeding those limits, you’ll need to contact our Head of Funding Amie Mills – amie@nzonair.govt.nz – for prior approval before submitting.
If you want further information on Round Toru, check out the Current Rounds section on our website or you can email us on funding@nzonair.govt.nz.