$12m for TVNZ charter

By FRANCESCA MOLD political reporter

The Government has confirmed it will pay Television New Zealand an extra $12 million this year so that it can buy and make programmes to meet its charter requirements.

The charter, which will come into force on March 1, calls on TVNZ to set standards of programme quality and to encourage creative risk-taking.

To meet its obligations under the new system, TVNZ must keep a balance between programmes of general appeal and those of interest to smaller audiences.

Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey said the extra money was intended specifically for new programmes and initiatives that were needed to meet the charter obligations.

It had previously been estimated by TVNZ and NZ on Air that $20 million would be needed for the extra charter programming. Former TVNZ chairman Ross Armstrong had put the figure at $50 million.

Mr Maharey said the $12 million package showed the Government was committed to getting programmes on screen which met the diverse interests of New Zealanders.

Legislation to establish the charter is yet to be passed but Mr Maharey said it was a priority and should be through early this year.

He said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with TVNZ, detailing the range of genre the extra funding would support.

The document guaranteed the Government would not interfere in decisions about the actual programmes commissioned by TVNZ.

TVNZ has previously indicated new programmes would include an interview show hosted by Kim Hill, a documentary series called Our NZ about ordinary New Zealanders living in remarkable places and a show about the history of rock'n'roll called Give it a Whirl.

Documentaries for next year include History of New Zealand and Colour of War - the Anzacs.