NZ On Air Programmes Clean Up at TV Awards

NZ On Air Programmes Clean Up at TV Awards

Many of the Afta New Zealand Television Awards presented in Auckland last night were won by NZ On Air-funded programmes, or by cast or crew who worked on them.

"We're delighted with the outcome," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jo Tyndall. "It's a ringing endorsement for the quality of the programmes we've been able to support this year.

"There was every reason to believe that NZ On Air-funded productions would pick up a quite a few awards," she said, "Programmes we've funded, or their cast and crew, accounted for 79% of the finalists.

"Given that our funding accounts for only around 20% of the local programming on television, that suggests we're punching above our weight."

The Afta New Zealand Television Awards ceremony was held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland last night, with the New Zealand television and production industry attending in full force. Among other things, awards categories range from best documentary and drama programmes to awards for individual actors and directors.

Winners this year include actors Katherine Kennard and Charles Mesure from TV2's NZ On Air-funded crime show Street Legal, which also won the award for Best Drama Series.

"It is particularly heartening for us to see the recognition of programmes like The Strip, Street Legal and Mataku, because it's a clear acknowledgment of the talent and skill of the people involved in making them, and it's validation for NZ On Air that the risks we are able to take with some of the more innovative projects can pay off," Ms Tyndall said.

"We were especially pleased to see such a diverse range of programmes represented in the list of finalists, but even more so when the winners were announced."

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