11th February 2025
As 2024 draws to a close, NZ On Air has announced funding for a fresh wave of New Zealand-made drama and comedy series, set to entertain audiences across a variety of platforms. Ranging from procedural crime to offbeat comedy and millennial drama, these newly greenlit productions reflect the strength and diversity of Aotearoa’s screen industry.
With the huge success of NZ On Air-funded shows at the recent NZ TV Awards, Chief Executive Cameron Harland noted that this latest funding round underscores the industry’s growing ambitions, particularly with access to the Screen Production Rebate helping elevate the scale and quality of New Zealand storytelling.
Here’s what’s coming soon to Kiwi screens:
Exciting New Drama and Comedy Series
Blue Murder Motel (TVNZ 1 & TVNZ+)
A married pair of Australian detectives, Vanessa and Cole, take early retirement and move to a picturesque New Zealand beach town to run a small motel. But their dream of a quiet life quickly unravels when murder and mayhem start following them.
Episodes: 8 x 44 minutes
Production Company: Great Southern Television
Funding: Up to $2.8 million
Bust Up (Sky Open, Sky Go, Whakaata Māori & Māori+)
This female-led buddy cop series follows Deb and Mihi, two former lovers turned small-town cops in the Bay of Islands. Forced to work together again, their personal and professional tensions make for a series that blends crime, relationships, and Kiwi humour.
Episodes: 6 x 44 minutes
Production Company: Lippy Pictures
Funding: Up to $2.26 million
The Sanctuary (ThreeNow & Three)
An eccentric American billionaire, on the run from the law, seeks refuge in New Zealand. To avoid extradition, he must convert his lavish private island into a Department of Conservation sanctuary, leading to a clash of egos, absurd situations, and hilarious antics.
Episodes: 8 x 22 minutes
Production Company: Kevin & Co
Funding: Up to $1.37 million
Head Girl (ThreeNow, Three & YouTube)
A darkly comedic, artistically ambitious drama based on the poetry of Freya Daly Sadgrove. It follows three estranged Wellington-based BFFs navigating the chaos of their early 20s. Expect raw emotions, absurdity, and plenty of Kiwi awkwardness.
Episodes: 6 x 30 minutes
Production Company: Head Girl
Funding: Up to $3.48 million
Fresh Content for Tamariki Audiences
Kiwi kids are in for a treat, with a mix of returning favourites and new productions designed to spark their imaginations.
Mr Hugo’s Little Library (TVNZ 2, TVNZ+ & RNZ)
A joyful musical adventure set in a world of books, fables, and life lessons. Mr Hugo welcomes young viewers into his larger-than-life library, where stories come to life in the most magical ways.
Episodes: 8 x 12 minutes
Production Company: Gibson Group
Funding: Up to $1.12 million
Toi Time! (Season 4) (TVNZ 2, TVNZ+ & YouTube Kids)
The beloved singing and dancing show returns for another season, helping tamariki learn life lessons through movement, play, and music.
Episodes: 20 x 30 minutes
Production Company: Rogue Productions
Funding: Up to $1.23 million
Fresh Fairytales! (Season 3) (The Coconet TV, Pasifika TV, Instagram & YouTube)
This Pasifika retelling of classic fairytales continues, offering a unique cultural twist on beloved childhood stories.
Episodes: 5 x 15 minutes
Production Company: Tikilounge Productions
Funding: Up to $708,000
Tākaro Tribe Pacific (YouTube, The Coconet TV & PMN)
The popular bilingual preschool animation expands to include stories in Samoan, Tongan, and Rarotongan, enriching Aotearoa’s diverse storytelling landscape.
Episodes: 9 x 12 minutes
Production Company: Cinco Cine Film Productions
Funding: Up to $285,753
Returning Animated and Educational Hits
Alongside the fresh lineup, several fan-favourite series are also coming back in 2025:
Night Eyes (Season 2) – More animated paranormal adventures. (TVNZ 2, TVNZ+ & YouTube Kids, $780,404)
My Favourite Dead Person (Season 3) – Comedian Josh Thomson returns to explore history’s quirkiest characters. (YouTube, Sky Open & RNZ, $593,780)
Suzy & Friends 2025 – Suzy Cato continues to delight generations of Kiwi kids. (25 Regional Radio Stations, RNZ & YouTube Kids, $227,249)
Boosting the Quality and Reach of NZ Productions
NZ On Air’s funding strategy for 2025 is enabling bigger, better, and more ambitious Kiwi content. The integration of the Screen Production Rebate has allowed local producers to leverage international co-productions and finance, reducing the burden on New Zealand taxpayers while enhancing the scale and global reach of homegrown storytelling.
“This is a golden era for New Zealand drama and comedy,” said NZ On Air Chief Executive Cameron Harland. “The quality, ambition, and success of our funded productions reflect the immense talent in our screen industry.”
A Big Year Ahead for Kiwi TV
With a slate of engaging dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and creative children’s content, New Zealand audiences can look forward to another incredible year of locally made storytelling.
Collaborate Management congratulates all the creatives and production teams bringing these stories to life and looks forward to seeing their success on screen in 2025.
© 2025 Collaborate NZ