Hot Off the Press Release: NZOA Funds Landmark Doco

TVNZ 1 has greenlit a three-part documentary series about the origins of Maori.

NZ On Air today announced it would contribute more than $1.3 million towards Origins, aGreenstone TV and Scottie Douglas production that Professor Scotty Morrison (above) will present.

Greenstone also is behind Honey Wars, an eight-part half-hour observational series for Prime, which also has commissioned an eight-part series called The Cannabis Coast.

Returning will be the network’s current affairs flagships, I AM … and Grand Designs NZ.

Here’s the full NZOA press release:

NZ screens and airwaves to be filled with stimulating new factual stories next year.

Factual story-telling that reveals more of who we are, the land we live in, and the many and varied communities that make up our nation, feature in a strong new line-up of NZ On Air-funded content for 2019. 24 separate projects have gained support out of 48 factual applications.

Origins is a landmark documentary series presented by Professor Scotty Morrison. The primetime series will draw on oral histories and whakapapa, together with the latest scientific findings in anthropology, biology and linguistics, to unearth the definitive story of the origins of Māori.

A Māori whanau in Kaitaia competing with global giants with their high quality manuka honey will be the subject of a new observational documentary series Honey Wars, on Prime.

While at the other end of the country, protecting our native wildlife is the subject of a new series set in Otago. Wildlife Rescue, shot by an award-winning Natural History NZ team, will screen on Choice TV.

A one-off documentary on the 1987 All Blacks win at the inaugural Rugby World Cup will draw on the recollections of four of the key players. By the Balls is a premium docu-drama for TVNZ 1’s Sunday Theatre slot.

New observational series Living With The Boss uses a real life social experiment to examine the employer/employee relationship. Each week, an employer will live under the same roof as one of their workers. Outside the comfort of their own homes, these bosses will be exposed to the challenges their employees face, potentially leading to positive workplace changes.

A podcast series marking the 40th anniversary of the Mt Erebus crash – still NZ’s worst air disaster – will delve behind the iconic phrase ‘orchestrated litany of lies’ to unravel truths and untruths.

Political current affairs shows Newshub Nation, The Hui and Q + A will return to keep the powerful accountable, and will be joined by new short-form investigations from Newsroom NZ.

Also returning are the thought-provoking TVNZ 1 series I AM…, showing us inside the lives of extraordinary and diverse New Zealanders; Three’s Grand Designs to inspire and amaze us with challenging home-builds in unique locations; Namaste NZ, covering lives and stories important to the Indian community in New Zealand; and The Nutters Club continues to encourage conversations about mental health.

“Great factual story-telling reveals so much to viewers, makes us think, and increases our understanding of important issues. These projects present a stunning array of ideas that will ensure there’s lots to challenge us in 2019,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson.

“This content will physically traverse the country – providing viewers with a wonderful window into many different communities, places and lives in New Zealand,” she continued.

Funding details

New
Origins, 3 x 44 mins, Greenstone TV and Scottie Douglas productions for TVNZ 1, $1,336,267
By the Balls, 1 x 90 mins, Rogue Productions for TVNZ 1, up to $971,485
Wildlife Rescue, 5 x 45 mins, NHNZ for Choice TV, up to $495,000
Honey Wars, 8 x 22 mins, Greenstone TV for Prime, up to $399,991
Living With the Boss, 8 x 44 mins, ASC Media for TVNZ 1, up to $319,353
Newsroom Investigates, 6 x 10 mins, Newsroom NZ for Newsroom NZ, up to $198,051
The Cannabis Coast, 8 x 23 mins, Te Amokura Productions for Prime, up to $194,935
On the Rag, 8 x 20 mins, Hex Work T/A The Spinoff for The Spinoff, up to $ 190,001
Litany of Lies, 10 x 45 mins, Media Construction Group for Watch Me, up to $179,995
Aotearoa’s Lost Sporting Legends, 8 x 8 mins, Hex Work T/A The Spinoff for The Spinoff, up to $149,717
The New Gala, 3 x 44 mins, Augusto for TVNZ 2, up to $119,366
Two Sketches, 8 x 25 mins, Hex Work T/A The Spinoff for The Spinoff, up to $105,816

Returning
Newshub Nation 2019, 41 x 56 mins, MediaWorks TV for Three, up to $916,905
Q + A 2019, 40 x 45 mins, TVNZ for TVNZ 1, up to $846,000
I Am … 2, 6 x 44 mins, Screentime NZ for TVNZ 1, up to $800,245
The Hui 2019 – Kaupeka Whā, 40 x 28 mins, Great Southern Television for Three, up to $543,988
Toa Hunter Gatherer 3, 8 x 26 mins, Hi Mama for Māori Television, up to $316,288
Namaste NZ 2, 10 x 26 mins, Top Shelf Productions for APNA TV, up to $310,000
Grand Designs NZ 5, 6 x 44 mins, Imagination Television for Three, up to $240,000
Loading Docs: Power, 8 x 5 mins, Notable Pictures for Loading Docs.net, up to $168,767
ANZAC Day Wreath Laying Ceremony 2019, 1 x 60 mins, Screentime NZ for TVNZ 1, up to $98,000
The Nutters Club, 49 x 90 mins, The Key To Life Charitable Trust for Newstalk ZB, up to $80,830
Paakiwaha 2019, 48 x 120 mins, UMA Broadcasting for Radio Waatea, up to $75,000
Christmas 2018, 2 x 732 mins, Christian Broadcasting Association for Newstalk ZB, up to $35,988.