50 Years of New Zealand Television

New Zealand television celebrated its 50th birthday in 2010, and Prime TV and New Zealand on Air commissioned a documentary series back at the history of TV in New Zealand.

Everything that has happened to this country and its people since television made its first appearance in 1960 has been reflected in the television programmes we made during that time. Fifty Years of Television in New Zealand will provide a unique opportunity to examine the social and cultural history of New Zealand over the last 50 years.

The television programmes we have made over the last 50 years do not just give us a history of television production; they give us a social history of New Zealand. Television opened up the rest of the world and changed our view of our own country and people. The box in the corner of the lounge has become our main source of news and entertainment, and it has become a reflection of our values and beliefs.

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Created By

Status

Returning Series

Original Name

50 Years of New Zealand Television

First Air Date

January 1, 2010

Last Air Date

February 12, 2010

Seasons

1

Episodes

7

Language

Production Companies

Networks

Prime

S01E07

Taonga TV

Director Tainui Stephens pairs societal change (urbanisation, protest, cultural resurgence) with an increasing Māori presence in front of and behind the camera. Interviews with broadcasters are intercut with Māori screen content. The episode charts an evolution from Māori as exotic extras, via pioneering documentaries, drama and current affairs, to being an intrinsic part of Aotearoa’s screen landscape, with te reo used on national news, and Māori telling their own stories on Māori Television.

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