Ponsonby conflict for TVNZ series

TVNZ is to spend nearly $5.5 million of taxpayer money on a drama set in the inner-city Auckland suburb of Ponsonby.

The 12-part series, called Rude Awakenings, would be fully funded with Government money given to TVNZ to fulfil its charter obligations, the network said yesterday.

The TVNZ charter requires the network to create programmes that reflect New Zealand life and culture.

Rude Awakenings will focus on two families living in neighbouring villas whose relationship is complicated by the fact that one is the landlord and the other tenants.

"The usual sources of urban conflict are accentuated by perceived differences in wealth and class, and the whole package is complicated by the two teenage children of the warring families developing a keen interest in each other," TVNZ said.

The series, screened in one-hour episodes, will be made by MF Films and produced by Michele Fantl and Garth Maxwell.

Chloe Smith is executive producer.

Smith was New Zealand producer of Hercules and Xena, and Maxwell directed more than 20 episodes of the shows.

Fantl produced Maxwell's feature film When Love Comes.

Maxwell and playwright Stephanie Johnson are writing Rude Awakenings.

The programme's budget is nearly $5.5 million.

Auditions will be held shortly and the show is expected to go to air on TVOne next year.