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South Pacific Pictures is pleased to announce that The Traitors NZ has received funding from NZ on Air for a third season. 

A murder mystery game show, The Traitors has taken the world by storm and SPP thanks NZ on Air for their support in bringing the game show back to New Zealand. 

Casting is now open and we are looking for entertaining, smart and strategic players to take part in the ultimate game of trust and treachery. Apply here: threenow.co.nz/thetraitors

NZ On Air funding, which was confirmed this morning, combined with eligibility for the Screen Production Rebate, will enable the continuation of New Zealand’s longest-running drama in the new year.

Shortland Street is one of the most recognisable and loved television programmes in Aotearoa. It provides immense cultural value on screen, while also offering a rich training ground for actors and crew behind the scenes.

Shortland Street is a key pillar of the TVNZ 2 slate, but its dedicated rangatahi audience has placed it at the forefront of audience fragmentation. As one of TVNZ+’s most streamed programmes, Shorty fans are split across broadcast and digital platforms. With audiences migrating online, effort is underway to increase the digital revenue needed to support Shortland Street as a digital first content proposition.

Prior to 2023, Shortland Street operated without funding support for 28 years. TVNZ and South Pacific Pictures are focusing on transitioning Shortland Street to a commercially funded, digitally delivered show and NZ On Air’s funding provides a crucial pathway towards making that ambition a reality.

TVNZ’s Chief Executive, Jodi O’Donnell says, “We’re extremely grateful for NZ On Air’s support in helping us keep this taonga on screen. Our audiences love Shorty and NZ On Air’s funding ensures we can continue to bring this iconic drama to viewers in 2026 while we work through its digital transition.”

South Pacific Pictures Chief Executive, Kelly Martin says “Shortland Street continues to entertain NZ audiences with its diverse and relatable stories, and it continues to play a crucial role in the NZ production sector, providing consistent employment and fostering local talent. We are incredibly thankful to both TVNZ and NZ On Air for their support.”

Led by Pax Assadi and Hannah Marshall of Raised by Refugees’ fame, the romantic comedy series for Three, follows two disillusioned 30-somethings as they carry out their teenage pact – a platonic marriage – to satisfy family and society’s expectations.

"Pax and I are absolutely thrilled and so grateful to NZOA for the support they have given to Settling. This show is our creative love child and we put our hearts into crafting something that we wanted to see, characters we wanted to inhabit and a story we wanted to tell about two misfits in a modern Aotearoa. Settling is an authentic, warts and all, kiwi non-rom-com and we can’t believe we actually get to (platonically) do it", says Hannah. 

"Thank you SPP for your support and belief in this project, THREE for backing us whole heartedly and NZOA, again, for making it possible. We cannot wait to get on set and bring this baby to life. *all puns intended. “

Far North, directed by David White, received silver in the Drama category. 

The Traitors NZ Season 2, hosted by Paul Henry, received Bronze for Reality TV Drama. 

The Brokenwood Mysteries, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024, received Bronze for Crime Drama. 

Melissa George is set to star in Ms. X, a new crime dramedy commissioned in New Zealand for free-to-air network Three and BVOD service ThreeNow, owned by Warner Bros Discovery.

The crime dramedy is in production now.

Plus6Four and South Pacific Pictures will produce, with Dynamic Television co-producing and handling worldwide distribution. The series is made possible with funding from NZ On Air and the NZ Screen Production Rebate. 

Read more here

Originally produced for TV2 in New Zealand, Astro has commissioned the format for a local version in Malaysia. The season will be 10 episodes long and adapted in Mandarin.

Local versions of Step Dave have also launched in Ukraine, Hungary, Greece and Poland.

Kura Productions is excited to celebrate 21 years of honouring Māori stories in the television, film and digital screen industry.

Te Ataraiti Waretini, the CEO of the company, says the milestone is a great achievement.

“21 years of creating Māori programmes and films to support te reo Māori and tikanga Māori is a great achievement for Kura Productions and the success comes down to all of the amazing ringa raupā, behind and in front of the camera, funders and networks  throughout  this industry who have helped to make it a possibility.”

Kura Productions was established by Quinton Hita with support from South Pacific Pictures in 2004 – with the express purpose of creating and celebrating Māori content for television, film and digital spaces. 

“I’m humbled to have played a part in its success,” says Quinton. “Over two decades, Kura Productions has had the privilege of working alongside iwi, broadcasters, artists, government agencies, and many others who share a common vision: that Aotearoa's media should reflect the depth, diversity, and dignity of te iwi Māori.”

Te Ataraiti took over from Quinton as managing director in 2021, continuing the company’s success into its 21^st year and beyond.

“It is a privilege to continue the hard work of the foundations Quinton Hita has laid down and to continue with that same whakaaro moving forward” says Te Ataraiti.

Kura Productions has created multiple successful productions, including the award-winning bilingual drama series, Ahikāroa, which is now in production for its seventh season.

The company will mark the milestone with a celebration at Te Pou Theatre.

The Traitors NZ is shortlisted for Best Reality TV Drama. An adaption of the highly successful worldwide format centered on deception and strategy, The Traitors NZ has attracted a large audience both in New Zealand and overseas.

The critically acclaimed comedy-drama series Far North, directed by David White, is shortlisted for best drama. Based on a true story, the series stars two of New Zealand’s biggest names – Temuera Morrison and Robyn Malcolm.

Finally, The Brokenwood Mysteries has been shortlisted for best crime drama. Recently celebrating its 10^th anniversary, The Brokenwood Mysteries has seen huge success internationally and has been sold into over 150 countries worldwide.

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Far North director David White won gold for Best Direction and The Traitors NZ host Paul Henry won Bronze for Best Host. 

Far North has been singled out for Best Direction- David White and The Traitors NZ for Best Host- Paul Henry.

The winners will be announced at the Storytellers Gala virtual ceremony on April 16th.

In its 35th year, New Zealand’s largest production company, South Pacific Pictures (SPP) has rebranded. A new logo and tagline has been revealed marking a significant milestone for the iconic company as it boldly navigates the future in the ever-evolving industry.

With an international reputation for producing world-class television and film, SPP has delivered more than 6000 hours of programming to date and has ambitious goals for the future. Under the leadership of CEO, Kelly Martin and Managing Director, Andrew Szusterman, the rebrand signals confidence and a commitment to innovation as the company realizes opportunities ahead.

Gone is the "starfish" logo that has been synonymous with the production house for decades. In its place, the company introduces a sleek and modern typographic logo, focusing on the abbreviation "SPP" - a nod to the affectionate moniker by which the industry refers to the organization. 

Alongside the new visual identity, SPP bids farewell to its tagline, "Turning Dreams to Drama," and welcomes “More to See” acknowledging the expanded depth of its content offerings today.

Martin says it was time for a refresh, “Whilst SPP is a stalwart of industry, we also boldly embrace change and opportunity.  High quality drama like Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune and The Brokenwood Mysteries are proud pillars of the heritage of SPP - and continue to be, as the success of Far North demonstrated this year.  However, over the past couple of years we have also had great success with reality, documentary and even live events. Our new brand reflects our ambitious and multifaceted approach moving forward”.

This includes innovative initiatives like releasing classic episodes of Shortland Street on YouTube globally, and being increasingly open to collaborations with new and upcoming talent.  Andrew Szusterman sees great opportunity here saying "The rebranding of SPP is not just a cosmetic change; it symbolizes our readiness to embrace the challenges and opportunities of an ever-evolving industry. We’ve introduced new formats like Dog House and Snackmasters, and the global sensation The Traitors.

Behind the high quality programming produced, importantly, sits the people involved. Thousands of people are involved in the output of SPP - and those people, whether writers, cast, crew, head office - are front of mind.  Martin points out, the refresh is designed to inspire and celebrate those people - importantly. “It is as much a stake in the ground for ourselves and our collaborators as it is for external parties.  We’re celebrating where we have been and intentionally signaling a future focus. The new brand sets a confident course for the future. It’s an exciting time for us”

Unscripted comedy series Educators won Best Comedy and Best Supporting Actor-Rick Donald at 2023 New Zealand Television Awards. 

The awards were received by the show's producer Rachel Jean and director Jesse Griffin.

Following the highly anticipated conclusion of the second series of the UK version of The Traitors, the BBC today confirms that three international versions of the hit reality entertainment show will be available on BBC iPlayer in 2024, meaning fans can get their Traitors fix throughout the year on the BBC.

For those who are new to The Traitors, it is a psychological reality game show centred around tactics, betrayal, suspicion and manipulation. Should the Faithful contestants eliminate all the Traitors, they will share the prize fund. If a Traitor makes it to the end, they steal the money.

The first series of The Traitors NZ hosted by Paul Henry will be coming to BBC iPlayer.

Dan McGolpin, Director, BBC iPlayer & Channels says: “The Traitors is one of the most thrilling shows around and the BBC will be following up on the latest UK series with more from Australia, New Zealand and the US, with all of this treachery to be available across 2024 on BBC iPlayer.”

Broadcast details for The Traitors US and The Traitors NZ will be confirmed in due course, with all episodes available on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer.

https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/2024/the-traitors-us-australia-nz-iplayer-2024

To reminisce and tell us about the decision to give it another spin, Managing Director of South Pacific Pictures Andrew Szusterman speaks to Jesse.

List to the RNZ interview here: Shortland Street on YouTube