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I was born the year television came to New Zealand, and I have worked in the industry for over half of my life in a variety of roles. Over that time we've produced some great TV - some of it I was lucky enough to work on, some of it I got to commission, and a lot of it I just got to watch and enjoy. And now, here for you to watch and enjoy, are my Top 10 titles.
This one has gone down in television current affairs history. Interviewer Brian Edwards turns conciliator in a long-running Post Office industrial dispute. In some ways the piece looks quaint now, but there was excellent current affairs interviewing in play and that aspect actually stands the test of time.
This infamous battle of wills between journalist Simon Walker and Prime Minister Robert Muldoon is another piece of legendary television interviewing. Walker was very young at the time but he has his facts at hand and he is determined not to be put off no matter how aggressive Muldoon gets.
This popular animated series is made by the production house Firehorse Films, developed from the comedy of the theatre group Naked Samoans. It's un-P.C., it's delightful, and I think it is one of the freshest and most interesting local series made in recent times.
Another of the most innovative titles in recent NZ television, this show satirises mainstream media, from "issues of the day" journalism to the society pages. No sacred cow is left untipped.
John Bates' doco examines the life and work of photographer Robin Morrison. Part biography, part travelogue, the doco goes on the road with a dying Morrison to revisit some of his best-loved locations. Shot by Stuart Dryburgh, I think this is one of the most beautiful NZ documentaries ever made.
This beautifully-crafted documentary - also directed by John Bates - tells the story of the infamous 1951 lockout of waterside workers and the nationwide strike which followed. 1951 was made to mark the 50th anniversary of the waterfront dispute, and tells an important part of NZ history in a very human and moving way.
Produced by Claudette Hauiti's Front of the Box Productions, Gang Girls tells the story of seven women associated with New Zealand's most notorious gangs. It's a great example of a documentary where finding the right talent and then getting the women to talk frankly was all important. The resulting interviews are raw and emotional, making Gang Girls a revealing and riveting watch.
What's not to love? It's worth a view for Chelsea's hairstyles alone! Yuppies, shoulder-pads and methode champenoise abound in New Zealand's answer to Dynasty and Dallas.
Spot On was an award-winning magazine programme for children that ran for 15 years from 1974. This is the very first episode and is a big nostalgic favourite of mine, along with a lot of other visitors to our site who were kids in the 70s and 80s.
Gloss and Spot On may stir up fond memories, but Telethon just has me over-dosing on nostalgia. It's the ultimate NZ telly classic, though a certain South Island mayor may not thank us for having this excerpt on our site. It will be interesting to see what TV 3 does with the Telethon concept a little later this year.
NZ ON SCREEN 2013
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