22 November 2011

Save TVNZ 7 Announces Preferred Candidates and Parties

50 individual candidates at this year's election have promised they will save TVNZ 7. They include candidates from across the political spectrum, Labour, Green, Conservative, NZ First, Maori, Alliance and an Independent. There are two party leaders - Winston Peters and Metiria Turei - and several high profile MPs including Trevor Mallard, Grant Robertson, Jacinda Ardern, Clare Curran, Gareth Hughes and Te Ururoa Flavell.

"Many parties and candidates pay lip service to Save TVNZ 7, but these are the candidates who made the effort to 'Like' the Save TVNZ 7 facebook campaign" says Save TVNZ 7 organiser, Myles Thomas. "All of these candidates recognise the importance of public service TV in NZ and the need for a dedicated channel"

"Australia has 5 dedicated public service TV channels funded not by government, but from a levy on commercial broadcasters. Countries our size have decent TV too such as Ireland with only 150,000 more people than NZ and three public service channels. Or Norway, half a million more people and four public service channels. Here in New Zealand we are about to lose our only public service TV channel. Lack of funds is the government's excuse, but these candidates know it is all about priorities."

"To save Back Benches, Media7 and all the other quality kiwi content, Save TVNZ 7 recommends voting for Labour, Green, NZ First, United Future, Mana, Maori Party or Conservative Party. Essentially we urge people who watch TVNZ 7 or want to be able to in future, to vote for any party other than National and ACT, both of which are happy to see TVNZ 7 disappear."

Save TVNZ 7 has stepped up its promotions with tens of thousands of pamphlets being hand delivered by grassroots members around NZ (copy attached) and a concerted advertising campaign on radio and online starting tomorrow.

Within individual electorates, Save TVNZ 7 recommends voting for:

Rodney - Tracey Martin, NZ First
Rodney - Christine Rose, Labour

Helensville - Jeanette Elley, Green
Helensville - Jeremy Greenbrook-Held, Labour

North Shore - Ben Clark, Labour
North Shore - Andrew Williams, NZ First

Northcote - Paula Gillon, Labour
Northcote - Dion Jelley, NZ First

Auckland Central - Jacinda Ardern, Labour

Epsom - Matthew Goode, Independant

Mt Roskill - Julie-Anne Genter, Green

Maungakiekie - Carol Beaumont, Labour
Maungakiekie - Tom Land, Green

Pakuranga - Sunny Kaushal, Labour

Manukau East - Asenati Taylor, NZ First

Hunua - Richard Hills, Labour

Waikato - Kate Sutton, Labour

Hamilton East - Sehai Orgad, Labour

Waiariki - Te Ururoa Flavell, Maori Party

Tauranga - Ian McLean, Green
Tauranga - Deborah Mahuta-Coyle, Labour

Bay of Plenty - Carol Devoy-Heena, Labour
Bay of Plenty - Raymond Dolman, NZ First

Te Tai Hauāuru- Jack McDonald, Green

Napier - Stuart Nash, Labour

Ohariu - Gareth Hughes, Green

Hutt South - Trevor Mallard, Labour
Hutt South - Holly Walker, Green

Wellington Central - Ben Craven, NZ First
Wellington Central - Grant Robertson, Labour
Wellington Central - James Shaw, Green

Te Tai Tonga - Rahui Katene, Maori party

Waimakariri - John Kelcher, Green
Waimakariri - Richard Prosser, NZ First

Christchurch Central - David Moorhouse, Green

Ilam - John Parsons, Labour

Wigram - Kevin Campbell, Alliance
Wigram - Mark Peters, Conservative
Wigram - Megan Woods, Labour

Port Hills - Joseph Burston, Green

Rangitata - Julian Blanchard, Labour

Dunedin North - David Clark, Labour
Dunedin North - Metiria Turei, Green Party Co-Leader

Dunedin South - Clare Curran, Labour Broadcasting Spokesperson
Dunedin South - Shane Gallagher, Green

Clutha-Southland - Rachel Goldsmith, Green

Invercargill - David Kennedy, Green

Green List - Zachary Dorner

Labour List - Maryan Street

NZ First List - Winston Peters, Leader

Notes

Save TVNZ 7 has members from across the political spectrum, and is not affiliated with any party or other interest group.

In 2013, analogue TV broadcasting in New Zealand will cease and all Kiwi households will need digital receivers to get free-to-air TV.

TVNZ launched its first digital channel TVNZ 6, in September 2007. TVNZ 7 followed six months later. The two channels were rationalised and TVNZ 6 ended, earlier this year. TVNZ 7 is due to close through lack of funding in June 2012.

Save TVNZ 7 online petition at www.savetvnz7.co.nz

ENDS

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