Round Toru Information for Applicants
The Information for Applicants for our final funding round for the 2025/26 Financial Year, Round Toru, is now available on our website.
In Round Toru we will accept applications across the following audiences and content genres: Drama, Comedy, Documentary and General Factual, Journalism, Children, Youth, Podcasts, Content Development, Capability and Discoverability.
Allocations for this round are:
Non-fiction
Approximately $5m for Non-fiction projects
We will accept Non-fiction applications documentaries, general factual, podcasts, national event coverage, comedy panel shows, unscripted comedy shows, limited journalism projects (see below) and partial financing of feature films supported by the NZ Film Commission (NZFC).
Journalism
In this round, we will accept a limited number of applications for projects reporting on public institutions.
Please refer to our Round Toru Information for Funding Applicants for more detailed information.
Scripted
Approximately $9m for Scripted projects
We will prioritise applications for series projects seeking $1m-$3m in this round, and welcome well-developed projects intending to access the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR). Drama, comedy, children's content and partial financing of feature films supported by NZFC are all eligible.
Rangatahi
Approximately $1.5m for Rangatahi content.
We welcome applications for bold and innovative local content that will reach rangatahi audiences (15 – 24-year-olds). While we encourage local platform support, projects will ideally have a multi-platform distribution strategy. Rangatahi projects may have YouTube as a primary platform but will need to meet additional criteria to replace the role that a commissioning platform typically plays. Please read the Round Toru Information for Funding Applicants to find out more.
Tamariki
We will not accept new general applications for Tamariki content in this round but we will consider a limited number of returning series and children's projects that intend to access the NZSPR.
We welcome production-ready NZSPR projects for tamariki, that require last-in funding seeking in the range of $2.5m - $3m.
The Round Toru Information for Funding Applicants is now available here on our website.
Timeline
Applicant information webinar: Thursday 4 December from 3-4pm on Zoom.
- To register, see below.
Applications Open: Thursday 11 December
- All applications must be made through our NZ On Air Portal. Only applications submitted through this portal will be accepted.
Applications Close: Thursday 29 January 2026, 4pm
- Late applications will not be considered. In very exceptional circumstances, we may consider an out-of-time application for time-sensitive projects agreed prior by the Head of Funding or the Associate Head of Funding.
Decisions confirmed, applicants notified: Friday 10 April 2026
- This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.
Webinar
Tomorrow, Thursday 4 December from 3-4pm, we will be hosting an Applicant Information webinar for Round Toru on Zoom, where you can hear from the NZ On Air Funding team and ask any questions you might have. Email funding@nzonair.govt.nz to register, with the subject line ‘Applicant Information webinar Round Toru’ and we will forward you the Zoom link.
Updates to the Content Development Guidelines
NZ On Air also has guidelines that explain our approach to allocating, assessing and funding content development as well as what to include in your content development proposal. We have recently updated these guidelines to include information on our new multi-stage development funding approach, which is in response to NZ On Air’s evolving role in larger-scale, scripted series production, plus more detail around unsupported development and sync licencing.
You can go here to see the updated Content Development Guidelines.
Moana Pacific strategy
NZ On Air has developed a strategy to ensure Pacific audiences and communities in Aotearoa New Zealand are well-served with a sustainable supply of Moana Pacific stories produced by a strong and capable Moana Pacific media sector (and including support for Pasifika music artists).
The Moana Wayfinders screen sector group helped us in preparing the strategy. The strategy reaffirms our commitment to serving Moana Pacific communities as one of our priority audiences, in alignment with our mandate under the Broadcasting Act 1989.
You can read the strategy here.
SRN review
A recently conducted review of the Student Radio Network (SRN) has resulted in some recommendations for change in the future. The review, conducted by Dr Matthew Mollgaard, was commissioned to examine the sustainability of the five SRN stations, in an environment in which we are unable to increase funding.
The outcomes of the review have been discussed with SRN leaders, and NZ On Air has formulated a response to the review, which sets out some actions for the future.
You can read the Mollgaard review here and NZ On Air’s response here.
Key dates for your calendar
It’s already December so, before we know it, the end of the year will be upon us! To help with planning, here are a few key dates to pop into your calendar.
- The last payment day for 2025 is Thursday 18 December. Which means that all paperwork for this payment round will need to be submitted by 5pm Monday 15 December. Please note, this last payment date is a week earlier than last year.
- The first payment day in the new year will be 15 January 2026.