F.8

Pūrongo a Tau Annual Report 2019

Kiri And Lou, TVNZ 2 Highlights He Tīpako Whakahira

% $ projects 82 50 4 million

INCREASE in Scripted New drama and comedy More than 50 NEW $4m direct to NZ On Air 770,000 VISITS and Factual applications BOOSTED BY THE SUCCESS PROJECTS SUPPORTED plus $6m shared in a to HEIHEI in its first this year of Wellington Paranormal by additional Crown RNZ/NZ On Air Joint year serving children and The Bad Seed funding Innovation Fund Not only were we busy Our newest platform but the PRODUCTION now has 92 LOCAL SECTOR WAS BUSY TITLES and captioning pitching great ideas 20.3 million

% Diversity boosted. Our Streams globally of top FIRST BILINGUAL drama 79 performing funded song supported – Ahikāroa 2 % – SOAKED BY 1.8 Our FIRST PASIFIKA million 18 of 2018 NZ Music Awards MUSIC round supported 14 finalists wereSUPPORTED new songs by Pasifika artists BY NZ ON AIR DOWNLOADS OF Our first RFP for content by PODCASTS on Access NZ MUSIC reaches All 8 of the Taite Music newer ASIAN AND PASIFIKA Internet Radio – the online 18% ON COMMERCIAL prize finalists were STORYTELLERS supported home for diverse content RADIO backed by NZ On Air eight exciting new projects from 10 community into development access radio stations NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Contents

01 02 03 Overview Audited financial Funding details for statements the year 2018/19

Highlights NZ Media Fund Audited financial Media Fund 65 statements 23 Chair’s overview 03 Scripted 11 RNZ/NZ On Air Joint Innovation Fund 83 Who we are 04 Factual 13 Additional one-off funding 84 Our performance 06 Music 16 Special focus audiences Environment 08 Platforms 19 (Māori, Pacific, Children) 85

Sector support 21 Directory 91

This Annual Report is the print version of our online Annual Report. For a more interactive experience, view the report at annualreport2019.nzonair.govt.nz

1 01 Overview The NZ-VR Project, Kowhai Media for NZ Geographic NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Chair’s overview He Tirohanga Nā Te Poutoko Poari

Publicly-funded media in all The shootings on March 15 shone the extend the acclaimed soap Ahikāroa, a and Stuart McLauchlan whose terms its forms – radio, television spotlight on the politics of identity: what saucy bilingual drama for young adults. ended. We will miss their wise counsel. does it mean to be a New Zealander? We welcomed the appointment of and online – makes a crucial The immediate response from our And with the NZ Film Commission new board members; lawyer and contribution to the public good industry colleagues demonstrated we launched Raupapa Whakaari: former broadcaster Linda Clark, and the critical role quality media plays Drama to the World. This initiative business consultant Philip Broughton. through the domains of culture in disseminating reliable information, provided a new opportunity for drama and identity. Over recent years linking communities, and creating producers and writers to create I thank our staff and Chief Executive catharsis. A case study on Page 15 elevated drama for both domestic Jane Wrightson for their customer focus, public investment has also details how NZ On Air-funded content and international audiences. rigour, and passionate commitment. become vital to a third domain; providers contributed; we thank them all for their efforts during a terrible time. Another major development was As we embark on our 30th year I invite that of informed democracy. the Joint Innovation Fund partnership New Zealand audiences to reflect on As an efficient, high-volume entity NZ with RNZ from specific funding in the importance of being able to see This year we were fortunate to receive a On Air assessed 926 applications and Budget 2018. Among more than and hear their own stories and songs, one-off funding increase of $4m as well executed 401 contracts for content 25 multimedia projects supported, and how publicly funded media shapes as joint responsibility with RNZ for a and services with 257 producers, a $1m pilot scheme will employ our culture and identity as well as further $6m. This enabled us to respond platforms and music artists. In addition eight journalists to cover civic news enabling an informed democracy. to significantly increased demand for we continued initiating and seeking a in different regions to support local funding and to provide more content for range of collaborations to extend our democracy. Resourcing civic journalism under-served audiences such as youth, work. Our partnership with TVNZ on has been a media issue worldwide. Asian, and Pasifika peoples. children’s platform HEIHEI celebrated its first birthday with over 226,000 users, I acknowledge the generous surpassing the first year target 10-fold. contribution of my fellow board Chair, Dr Ruth Harley CMNZ, OBE We joined with Te Māngai Pāho to members, particularly Ian Taylor

Part 1 Chair’s overview 3 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Who we are Ko Mātou Tēnei

Vision: Connecting and Our content is found on more than 30 Day to day operations website that makes it easier to find platforms that serve many different information for making an application, reflecting our nation The high volume increase in applications audiences on television, radio, and and provides a comprehensive source that came in year one of the NZ NZ On Air exists to ‘reflect and develop online. It complements the excellent of currently available content. Media Fund continued in year two: New Zealand identity.’ We do this service provided by RNZ. The audience a 366% increase in applications by investing in quality public media fragmentation evident in our Where Our main office is in Wellington, co- over the two years. The increase this on a wide range of platforms using a Are The Audiences?1 research series located with the NZ Film Commission year was largely due to 12 calls for unique contestable funding model. means the spread and agility of and the Broadcasting Standards specific content over and above the public media has become crucial. Authority, and sharing some facilities usual five funding rounds, a benefit Public media contributes to a thriving and services with the latter. We also of the Budget 2018 one-off funding. nation, secure in its identity and with a Our goals are: have a small office in Auckland. clear sense of cultural wellbeing. Public Stakeholder satisfaction with our media is a cornerstone of democracy, • Quality content – NZ audiences Detailed reporting on how we systems and processes is very ensures diversity of voices, and involves enjoy well-made local content meet our EEO obligations is important to us so refining the a highly skilled, creative workforce. that matters on Pgs 61-63 in Part 2. systems around the NZ Media Fund Audiences can access an overwhelming • Diverse content – NZ audiences is ongoing. This included a new amount of global content at a click; our value local content made for job is to ensure New Zealand stories, a range of communities songs, and perspectives can be seen and • Discoverable content – NZ heard. While we report against a range audiences can find and of content and audience targets, it is this appreciate local content cultural impact that is most meaningful.

1 www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/where-are-audiences-2018

4 Part 1 Who we are NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Our board John McCay were joined at year end by former broadcaster and lawyer Linda Our six-member Board meets five Clark, and business consultant Philip times a year, setting the strategic Broughton, replacing Ian Taylor, and direction and deciding funding for Stuart McLauchlan. The Board has two projects over $1million. Decisions standing committees: Audit & Risk, below this threshold are made by and Remuneration & Human Resources. a committee of senior staff. We report to the Minister of With diverse backgrounds in media, Broadcasting, Communications Dr Ruth Harley CNZM, OBE Kim Wicksteed Linda Clark law, and business, the Board is and Digital Media who may not chaired by Dr Ruth Harley. Members direct us on cultural or content Kim Wicksteed, Helen Grattan, and matters but may issue directives through Parliament on general matters. None were issued this year.

Helen Grattan John McCay Philip Broughton

Part 1 Our board 5 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Our performance Ngā Mahinga Whaihua Delivering for New Zealand

Great public media reflects Quality content Diverse content Discoverable content and connects New Zealanders. NZ audiences enjoy well-made NZ audiences value local content NZ audiences can find local content that matters made for a range of communities and appreciate local content It challenges and inspires, and builds a sense of belonging • 74% of people aware of our funding • 75% of people value the diversity • In its first year HEIHEI had over for television programmes like this of content funded by NZ On Air 770,000 visits by 226,000 and wellbeing. Those things content, while 73% aware of our • 60% of Scripted and Factual unique users, and the app are hard to measure but below funding for music like it; and 66% content was for general audiences was downloaded 92,000 times like the digital content we fund. and 40% for targeted audiences • The Top 15 funded television are some of the ways we can • 79% of 2018 NZ Music awards • 53.6% of music on alternative programmes attracted audiences report on what we achieved – finalists were NZ On Air-funded radio is NZ music of over 200,000 on first run • 22 of 38 awards at the 2018 • 25,317 hours of content in more than • The most watched On Demand our impact – against our three NZ Television Awards went to 49 languages are available on 12 programme was Wellington content goals. NZ On Air funded projects access radio stations throughout NZ Paranormal with 68,293 • 99% of funded content was • 92 titles of children’s content streams per episode accepted for broadcast or upload. (out of 112) on funded platform • The most streamed song HEIHEI are NZ made. released in the year achieved 20.3 million streams on Spotify alone – Soaked by Benee • More than 1.8million podcast downloads on Access Internet Radio this year – up 77% on the previous year.

6 Part 1 Our performance NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Key Impact Measures (Our Performance)

2018/19 2018/19 2017/18 2016/17 Actual Target Actual Actual

Quality Content NZ audiences enjoy well-made local content that matters $$$ New Zealanders believe NZ On Air supports local content important Revised 81% 75% 74% to New Zealanders measure Financial Revised New Zealanders aware of our support for content like that content 69% 70% 68% We ended the year with measure a surplus of $3.945m due mainly to funding set aside Completed productions are accepted for broadcast or uploading 99% 99% 100% 99% for key projects which did not meet the conditions for the Diverse Content expenditure to be recognised in NZ audiences value local content made for a range of communities the 2018/19 year. This includes the final balance of the RNZ/ NZ audiences appreciate the diversity of content funded New NZ On Air Joint Innovation 75% 75% 73% by NZ On Air measure Fund under an RFP for projects commemorating the mosque Discoverable Content attacks in Christchurch, NZ audiences can find and appreciate local content $1.5million for an initiative to support Asian and Pasifika Over 50% of first run2 funded prime time (6pm to 10.30 pm) newer storytellers, and other More than New content for TV achieves average audiences of 100,000 or higher 60% 58% projects which are still to 50% measure (excludes on demand audiences) meet funding conditions.

50% of funded digital content will achieve more than 50,000 More than New 51.9% 53% views in its first 6 months on line3 50% measure see pages 57 and 58 for all impact measures

2 Programmes not previously shown on television 3 This measures funded digital content which completes its first 6 months online in the year under review. Data for online views is currently provided by each commissioning platform and relates to online views for the commissioning platform only. Work is progressing in NZ and internationally to establish a consistent approach to measuring online views.

Part 1 Key Impact Measures 7 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Environment Te Ao E Mahi Ana Tātou Surfing constant change

For several years the pace control of what and when they enjoy of a paywall and the closure of the Vice. of change in the NZ media content made specifically for them. nz channel. The closure meant the loss HEIHEI is now the primary platform for of a platform that was co-investing environment has gathered funded children’s content. with NZ On Air in informative local speed. NZ On Air has been in content for the under-served youth Increasing pressure on journalism due audience. Our own research, Where the driving seat for some of to declining revenues has resulted Are The Audiences?4 2018 continued that change as we proactively in newsroom layoffs, in particular to show young people fast moving affecting smaller regional and away from local platforms for their seek new ways to connect suburban media. This has affected content. The research found that audiences with great public the way New Zealanders are kept while traditional broadcast media still informed of issues affecting them. delivers the biggest audiences, the gap media content. to online video and SVOD is closing. As a response, NZ On Air and RNZ The launch in late May 2018 of online teamed up with the Newspaper Music platform Spotify dominates music children’s content home HEIHEI was a Publishers’ Association to pilot a Local distribution, with 1 in 3 New Zealanders game changer for delivering content to Democracy Reporting service to boost using it each week. This has been our tamariki. Managed and curated by civic journalism. With a $1m budget, largely at the expense of physical TVNZ for NZ On Air, HEIHEI is a safe, the pilot will employ eight journalists formats and paid downloads; live radio ad-free place for children aged 5-9 years in smaller centres to increase remains strong, including with younger to explore a beautifully diverse, fun and multimedia reporting on the activities audiences. Radio is still a key way people educational array of over 90 local content of local bodies and public entities. discover new music, but increasingly titles. The platform was a response to Other changes in the media market music audiences of all ages are spread parents and children demanding more have included NZ Herald’s introduction across several platforms and channels.

4 www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/where-are-audiences-2018

JessB 8 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Supporting diversity Research we commissioned with Director Gender Split – 2016-19 Creative New Zealand to look at 70% Our role to connect and reflect 65% sustainability of career pathways 63% New Zealanders is important in creative professions adds another 60% 56% in creating social cohesion and 53% dimension to this picture. Undertaken supporting individual well-being. 50% 47% by Colmar Brunton, A Profile Of 44% We are validated when we see Creative Professionals6 surveyed close 40% 63% and hear people like us in public 33% to 1500 creatives working in the media. And we better understand 30% screen production, gaming and music people different to us through sectors along with other artforms. 20% seeing inside their lives. This is The research found the median total the power of great public media 10% income for the sector ($35,800) screen and sound content. 1% is below the rest of NZ and there’s 0% 0% 0% 0% evidence of a gender pay gap. More 2016 2017 2018 2019 For content to be authentic it needs research is needed to understand the Male Female Gender Diverse to be made by people who represent Source – Diversity Report 2019 gender pay issue. In addition it is clear the sectors of the community they that some groups (for example Asian aim to portray. This can be a challenge New Zealanders) are dissuaded from due to a lack of diversity in some key pursuing creative careers due to income $51,800 $35,800 content creation roles. Our Diversity and perceived career limitations. Median income for Median TOTAL Report 20195 shows continued under- New Zealanders INCOME for creative representation of Asian creatives in all earning a wage professionals (including Amid this disruption NZ On Air will three key lead roles (producer, director, or salary non-creative income) continue reporting trends to inform writer/researcher). Women directors debate and decision-making, and appear to have made gains – they ensure our funding model remains $37,900 $15,000 were particularly under-represented focused on serving New Zealand Median income Median CREATIVE three years ago – but women remain audiences with quality, diverse, and for self-employed INCOME for creative under-represented in music. discoverable public media made by a New Zealanders professionals wide range of creative professionals. Source – A Profile Of Creative Professionals 2019 5 www.nzonair.govt.nz/documents/438/Diversity_Report_2019_FINAL.pdf 6 www.nzonair.govt.nz/documents/424/A_Profile_of_Creative_Professionals_Report_FINAL_for_publishing.pdf

Part 1 Environment 9 The Feijoa Club, Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions for HEIHEI

NZ Media Fund NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

NZ Media Fund Scripted Tuhinga Totoko The second year of the NZ Celebrating Aotearoa’s storytellers Media Fund was incredibly busy. With new one-off 7 funding we issued 12 individual New Zealanders love a with an average audience of 270,400 . good yarn. Our stories Meanwhile bilingual drama Ahikāroa 2 A slate of innovative, creative new shows Requests for Proposals (RFPs) engaged younger audiences on Māori straddling a range of genres has hit our on top of the scheduled have quintessential TV. Enduring favourites Westside and screens – including black comedy Fresh New Zealandness, a different The Brokenwood Mysteries continued Eggs, political thriller The Bad Seed, funding rounds. This provided to entertain audiences here and improvised comedy Educators... It’s a many opportunities for newer way of seeing and portraying overseas. And achieving something golden age for local content right now, the world. Add stunning no other local drama has, Filthy Rich, and we’re absolutely spoilt for choice. creatives, and to increase following two NZ seasons, secured a (NZ Herald 20/6/2019) content for under-served landscapes, outstanding franchised re-make for the US market. onscreen talent, and highly audiences. Audiences were delighted by vampire It was a year for trying new things. On skilled craftspeople behind spinoff Wellington Paranormal, now in Three, after a week of funded comedy production for a second season, and Applications for Scripted, the camera, and the results pilots, viewers voted for their favourites revelled in the chaotic black humour and two won NZ On Air series funding: Factual and Music funding are world-class. of Fresh Eggs. Our first improvised Golden Boy and Mean Mums were comedy Educators poked an almost- were up from 641 the previous both set to hit screens at year end. Against huge global competition gentle stick at teachers, and another Meanwhile comedians discussed year to 926 this year. This attracting a strong prime time television innovative on demand series Alibi had queer Aotearoa in The Male Gayz, audience is a major accomplishment. viewers watch episodes of a crime huge jump in applications HousieWives delivered laughs Pacific Premier drama The Bad Seed, based drama unfold in whichever order they Island style and 7 Days continued to significantly helped broaden on novels by award-winning author chose until the killer was revealed. develop new comedy talents and send Charlotte Grimshaw, played out over the range of content available up the week’s news on Friday nights. five consecutive nights on TVNZ 1, to audiences.

7 Average audience of New Zealanders aged 5 plus

Part 1 NZ Media Fund 11 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

We cast our net wider this year to bring and Pasifika storytellers to create At year end there were 41 Scripted this year, most of it appearing on new new ideas to screens. The talented content for under-served audiences. projects in development, including ad-free platform HEIHEI. The Feijoa team behind Flat 3 and Friday Night Eight new stories by, for, and about 13 under the Diverse development Club is a new comedy series involving Bites are in production on Creamerie, Pacific and Asian New Zealanders are stream. While not a guarantee of a group of mystery-solving small- a post-apocalyptic comedy in which now in development. In a separate production funding, the number and town kids, while preschoolers have a women run Earth. It’s the first project initiative with TVNZ and the NZ diversity of development projects new series of the beautiful claymation to win platform support and funding Film Commission, we invited Asian bodes well for the coming year. series Kiri And Lou to look forward to. from the Diverse Development and Pacific filmmakers to create a Following a successful third season initiative we created to help different compelling one-off feature-length story Our tamariki have never been so teen dystopian drama Cul De Sac is creatives bring fresh ideas to screens. for the Sunday Theatre slot. Following well served for content that fuels set to thrill young audiences in the an excellent response, three projects imaginations. We invested just over UK, Finland and Denmark, after being With funds from the one-off Budget were selected for development. $5m in children’s scripted content picked up by their public broadcasters. 2018 allocation we asked newer Asian

Fresh Eggs, Warner Bros. NZ, for TVNZ 2 HousieWives, Tikilounge Productions for YouTube

12 Part 1 NZ Media Fund Factual Mōhiohio Pono Captivating and challenging New Zealanders

Great factual storytelling tens of thousands of New Zealanders challenges us to see things who tuned in for our first ‘slow TV’ experience. Go South on Prime took from different perspectives an un-narrated 12 hour journey the and takes us to fascinating length of NZ, by train, ferry and four-wheel drive. Feedback from places. From prime time viewers was extremely positive. documentaries to educational content for children, I’ve been watching ‘Go South’. investigative journalism, Riveting viewing. Such a treat. I’m loving it. Congratulations on and live coverage of significant such a great idea and production. events, factual content is core viewer Jeanette to public media. We could also explore far-flung This year we created a roadmap to corners of NZ through 360˚ virtual guide our Factual investments and reality. The NZ-VR project on the NZ be transparent about our priorities. Geographic website is a stunning More than 100 industry members educational resource taking us worked with us at a summit in March into beautiful natural habitats. 2019 to help develop the roadmap. More traditionally Country Calendar continued to take more than 587,000 New ways to explore our country were viewers a week home to the country enjoyed by audiences this year. It was in NZ’s longest running TV series. literally an armchair ride for the

Kaikoura: A Big Year, DC Media for TVNZ 1 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

A range of documentaries tackled attitude in Kaikoura: A Big Year, viewed exploring one major news story in commemoration acknowledging 250 tough topics with empathy and by just under 600,000 people. depth each weekday, and supported years since the first onshore encounters insight. Jessica’s Tree told a deeply more from the award-winning Stuff between Māori and Pākehā. Five moving and empowering story NZ Music month was made more Circuit investigations team. Political projects for delivery in late 2019 will around suicide, Fighting The Demon memorable by Anthems – New Zealand’s current affairs series Q & A, Newshub add an important collection of diverse explored the destructive influence Iconic Hits, an insightful series looking Nation and The Hui continued to perspectives to wider media coverage. of methamphetamine, Deportees Of behind the biggest music hits of recent sustain an informed democracy by Tonga: Gangsters In Paradise followed decades. The extraordinary success probing leaders and decision-makers. Our youngest audiences now have four Tongan nationals sent home after of the world’s first Te Reo metal band an abundance of stimulating and serving time, and K’Rd Chronicles looked was shared in Ru Ana Te Whenua: New Zealand marked 125 years of educational content available to them inside homelessness in our biggest city. Alien Weaponry Shake Europe, a video women’s suffrage in September through HEIHEI. They can learn te reo, documentary on RNZ’s website. 2018. 11 remarkably diverse projects explore science and the environment, Audiences applauded a medical provided a significant talking point, with discover healthy cooking, enjoy arts and breakthrough when a severe Tourette’s In an increasingly difficult commercial many choosing to examine women’s crafts, find confidence, laugh at silliness, sufferer underwent life-changing media environment supporting rights through a modern lens. and enjoy animals and pets. HEIHEI’s surgery in Renee’s Brain. Re-establishing investigative journalism has become top show George And Me explores the crucial earthquake damaged road and a greater priority. We funded a stream Following the success of the suffrage human body – in fact five of the Top 10 rail links was a compelling story of of notable investigations Newsroom initiative we called for content titles are factual, proving tamariki love sheer hard work and Kiwi can-do Investigates, added a Daily Podcast to support Tuia 250, a national to learn about the world around them.

Anthems: NZ’s Iconic Hits, Notable Pictures for Prime Fighting The Demon, NZME Publishing for NZ Herald

14 Part 1 NZ Media Fund NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Frank: Changing South, Frank Film for Stuff Case study: A demonstration of the inclusive role of public media

As the horror of the mosque for the breaking news on TVNZ then of support in Farsi, Pasi, Persian and Urdu 265,000 people watched the Christchurch terror attacks unfolded media captioned Breakfast for the following played on access stations throughout concert on Three. We also supported week. RNZ’s live coverage was the country – created by the diverse TVNZ’s live broadcast of the moving swung into action. NZ On Air’s extensive, including live broadcasts community of Hamilton’s Free FM. memorial service. content creators, broadcasters of the memorial services and in-depth reporting of issues on air and online. Frank Film produced a remarkable short At NZ On Air we published a special and digital platforms played documentary talking to medical staff edition of our electronic newsletter a significant role in ensuring Christchurch’s community access radio from Christchurch hospital about the Watch & Listen highlighting funded station Plains FM created After March events of March 15, What Happened content that helps people to understand New Zealanders were informed 15, a programme featuring insights, At Christchurch Hospital. and connect with different ethnicities and could grieve and heal analysis and feedback from the local and religions. And we determined that refugee and migrant sector, the When NZ’s top musicians rallied we need more content like this. At year together. Muslim community, and political to perform at the Aroha Nui benefit end we sought content that will mark leaders. Episodes also played on RNZ concerts in Christchurch and Auckland, the first anniversary of March 15, The team at Able immediately National and community access stations NZ On Air quickly responded to a encouraging applications with an began providing live captions across NZ and Australia. Messages request to support a live broadcast. authentic NZ Muslim voice.

Part 1 NZ Media Fund 15 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Music Te Ao Pūoro A spotlight on talent

From the 50,000 people who Aldous Harding, Church & AP, and YouTube Music to Wellington 5 biggest songs showed up to Western Springs Yumi Zouma, BAYNK, Tiny Ruins, in March to experience as many on radio this year (funded) L.A.B., Mermaidens, Nadia Reid, as they could of the 42 live acts Sons of Zion – Drift Away for a totally local music line up TY, Fazerdaze, Marlon Williams, before a 20,000-strong crowd. headlined by , to the 18% Ria Hall and Bailey Wiley. – Old News We organised an industry seminar, Drax Project – Toto of local music on radio – it’s That talent pipeline will add to the the day before Homegrown for local been an extraordinary year commercially successful hits this musicians and managers to make Benee – Soaked year from artists such as Benee, Sons connections and hear from YouTube, Mitch James – Bright Blue Skies for NZ music. of Zion, Drax Project, Six60, Mitch Spotify, and NZ commercial radio James, Robinson, Kings, SACHI, and programmers. There was excellent 5 most streamed songs NZ On Air’s music mission is simple . Their songs drove a strong rise feedback about how useful the day (funded)* – get more NZ music on radio and in local music on commercial radio. was for artists to upskill and optimise online. In the third year of our New The average for the year of 18.10% their profile, presence and ultimately Benee – Soaked 20.3m streams Music funding scheme we co-invested was 4% up on the previous year, increase their chances of success Drax Project – in 38 New Music Projects (multi- the highest level for several years. in the crowded music market. 17.9m** streams single releases) and 125 New Music Singles. We also increased support Overseas-based streaming platforms We continue to support the Taite Sons of Zion – Drift Away 12m streams for children’s music, and ran a funding have a huge influence now on the Music Prize, awarding outstanding Drax Project – Toto 4.9m streams round specifically to find and encourage music we listen to. Because playlists creativity for a collection of music on Pasifika artists and increase the are curated off-shore, we work hard one recording. All eight of the 2019 Mitch James – 21 10m streams

availability of recorded Pasifika music. to ensure the curators know about finalists had received NZ On Air * All figures from Spotify are global great NZ music. One of the ways funding; the self-titled winning album ** Drax Project did a US-version of Woke Up Late The New Music Project releases will we do this is to bring them to NZ by Avantdale Bowling Club included ft. that now has 47.7m Spotify generate more than 100 new singles music festival Homegrown. NZ On Air two New Music Single-funded tracks. streams from a colourful field of artists including brought representatives of Spotify

16 Part 1 NZ Media Fund NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Music for everyone We ran a second targeted funding round to find great music for tamariki. A new initiative this year gave Pacific From 10 applications six artists and music artists a unique chance to their projects were supported; Kath breakthrough. In February 2019 we Bee & Anna van Riel, Levity Beet, held a Pasifika music funding round, Fun and Funner, Chris Lam Sam, The with one-off funding from Budget Nukes and the Matariki Glow Show. 2018. The Pacific Media Network and Pacific Music Awards Trust helped with The music can be enjoyed on the outreach and assessing the songs. HEIHEI children’s platform. Following on from this NZ released From 51 applications, 14 Pasifika artists an all-New Zealand children’s music received an $8,000 New Music Single album – 25 children’s songs compiled grant as a result; nine of the artists as ‘Suzy Cato presents the Totally had not received NZ On Air funding Awesome Kiwi Kids Album’ – a assistance before, meaning audiences first for kids music in Aotearoa. will be hearing some very fresh tunes Benee with Pacific roots.

Part 1 NZ Media Fund 17 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Case study: Six60’s year of triumph

This year one act more Six60’s historic Western Springs Six60’s path to success kicked Their juggernaut live show at than any other hit the big stadium show in February 2019 off with NZ On Air funding for Western Springs was filmed for was one of the big highlights two iconic early singles – Rise Up a feature-length documentary, time in NZ – Six60. Their of the NZ music year. With an all and Don’t Forget Your Roots. supported by NZ On Air, which incredible success story local support line-up featuring Following two more funded hits, is soon to be released. Drax Project, Sons of Zion, SWIDT Forever and Special the southern has been built on the and Ill Baz, it was unprecedented lads have since been able to fund foundations of a simple for a local act to headline a concert their own music, based off wall- of its size. More than 50,000 people to-wall commercial airplay and intervention – NZ On Air gathered to see the band who’d streaming success. funding for some of their emerged from a Dunedin student flat 10 years ago. early singles.

18 Part 1 NZ Media Fund NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Platforms Ngā Atamira Reaching New Zealanders

Some non-commercial A strengthened partnership RNZ’s audiences have grown Keeping content accessible significantly in the year. A weekly platforms and services A one-off funding allocation of $6m The Media Access Charitable Trust audience in April of 696,6008 was an in Budget 2018 for a Joint Innovation through Able continues to work hard providing valuable social increase of 60,000 year-on-year, while Fund saw NZ On Air and RNZ work to make screen content accessible to 32% more people used the RNZ website and cultural content for more closely than ever before. sight and hearing impaired people. during a typical week (817,000 users). under-served audiences Captioning is also valued by people The Innovation Fund created 25 with English as the second language. require public funding. diverse new content titles for the RNZ The new kids on the block website, with most also available on Able captioned 347 hours of content This includes the likes Our newest funded platform HEIHEI other platforms. Subject matter ranged on average per week and provided 57 celebrated its one year anniversary in of community access radio, from a podcast going inside big news hours per week of audio description on May 2019. The online, ad-free home stories, mental health, children’s stories, programming. Captioning on HEIHEI disability access services, for children’s content is managed and and interviews with first generation was made possible with $150,000 curated for NZ On Air by TVNZ. and ring-fenced funding New Zealanders and their immigrant extra funding through Budget 2018. parents. NZ Wars: The Stories Of Taranaki for public broadcaster RNZ. A year after launch HEIHEI contains 112 is a second audio-visual documentary The content discovery sites NZ On titles, of which 92 are local. HEIHEI has following on from the acclaimed Stories Screen and AudioCulture continue to had 773,000 visits by 226,000 unique of Ruapekapeka. The Innovation Fund grow their collections and audience users and the app has been downloaded also supported the local democracy reach. NZ On Screen users grew by 92,000 times. Eight of the top 10 titles reporter initiative, aimed at filling 3% to 1.5million and AudioCulture had on the platform are local. Just prior to a gap in civic issues reporting. For over 216,000 users, an exceptional year end captioning was added to the more on the Joint Innovation Fund 12% more than the previous year. platform and a children’s news service outputs see Pgs 77 & 78 in Part 3. Kea Kids News was in production.

8 April 2019 GfK radio survey

Part 1 NZ Media Fund 19 NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Radio for all The National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT) has rebranded its stations PMN Niu (a Our Community Access Radio youth oriented station) and PMN 531 network of 12 stations reinforced it (broadcasting in nine Pacific languages). is the bastion of diversity in the days We prioritised boosting NPRT’s and weeks following the March 15 funding for the coming year, so they terror attacks. See case study Pg 15. can execute a new strategy to adapt to the changing media environment. Access radio stations have rebranded as Community Access Media Alliance, Student radio services have benefitted reflecting their intention to continue to from more certain funding, after reach more New Zealanders by growing HEIHEI we moved from a programme by their presence online as well as on the programme music promotions approach airwaves. Access Internet Radio (AIR) to providing operational funding. provides on demand delivery and live Student Radio is a vital supporter and streaming of content from 10 partner incubator for NZ music – the place stations. An app launched in 2018 made where thousands of New Zealand acts accessing content even easier. Over the get their first exposure. More than 50% year AIR content was accessed more of songs on student radio are local. than 1.8 million times, while stations broadcast more than 25,000 hours of content for audiences prioritised in the Broadcasting Act in 49 languages.

After March 15, on PlainsFM

20 Part 1 NZ Media Fund NZ On Air 2019 Annual Report

Sector support Ngā Tūtanga: Te Hāpai Ō

We support our sector in When we put out a call this year music producers and engineers An outcome of the Profile of Creative a number of ways, to upskill with the NZFC and TVNZ for ideas to New Zealand to work with locals Professionals research was a from Asian and Pasifika creatives for across two weeks of workshops commitment, along with Creative NZ, and celebrate the people feature-length projects we recognised focused on international best practice. to three joint strategic priorities: who make the content. the need to help unsuccessful applicants so that we can grow this pool of talent. Supporting the NZ Television Awards 1. Fair reward – working towards A workshop is being developed with the is an opportunity to celebrate creativity • ensuring lower-paid creative Through our Industry Pan Asian Screen Collective so these and craft. We also celebrate the professionals are paid in line emerging creatives can learn more about best in NZ Music through the NZ Development Fund we have with technical professionals what makes a successful proposal. Music Awards, Waiata Māori Music • lifting pay to the point where supported interventions Awards, Pacific Music Awards, creative professionals start to feel We have been foundation partners Children’s Music Awards, RockQuest aimed at addressing sector it is a fair reward for their work. of two initiatives that are having real and the Taite Music Prize. issues, such as the under- impacts on the music industry. With 2. Sustainability – working to make APRA we’ve supported the SongHubs We publish a number of research representation of women the careers of mid-career and song-writing initiative since 2016. projects that inform our industry established creative professionals in director roles. A full list In the past year we backed two as well as our own strategies. This more sustainable through more SongHubs series – a general SongHubs year these included Where Are of funded projects is at Pg 90 continuous creative endeavours. and one for women song-writers The Audiences?9 2018; a combined in Part 3. and producers. Women are under- project with Creative NZ – A Profile 3. Emerging creative professionals represented among music applicants of Creative Professionals10; a survey of – working with the sector and this is one way we can help. our stakeholders; a review of Access (including peak bodies and Radio conducted by Dr Matt Mollgaard guilds) to find better ways to We support the NZ Music Producers of AUT; and our own Diversity Report support creative professionals Series which brings international 201911. All reports are on our website. at the start of their career.

9 www.nzonair.govt.nz/research/where-are-audiences-2018 10 www.nzonair.govt.nz/documents/424/A_Profile_of_Creative_Professionals_Report_FINAL_for_publishing.pdf 11 www.nzonair.govt.nz/documents/438/Diversity_Report_2019_FINAL.pdf

Part 1 Sector support 21