Attitude: Series One, Episode One

Attitude is a weekly series that focuses on the issues and interests of people either living with a disability or caring for a person with a disability. It is a positive, upbeat show that aims to encourage a more inclusive society. Attitude includes news and issues of particular relevance to the disabled community, information about new technology, and the thoughts and views of New Zealanders living with a disability.  

Attitude's content includes profiles of people living with disabilities, information about new technology and medical advances, and a regular travel segment. Reporter Curtis Palmer is a Wheel Black (NZ wheelchair rugby representative) who travels regularly with the team, as well as for recreation.  

Attitude's travel stories have included ballooning in Turkey, surfing in Hawaii, and Paralympics in China. Service provided by airlines for people with disabilities, wheelchair accessibility, attitudes of locals and the adventures available are all covered in Attitude's many travel stories.

Reporter and Associate Producer Grant Sharman is well known in New Zealand as a foot-mouth artist, Wheel Blacks coach and former player, and in 2005 he was Aucklander of the Year.

Dan Buckingham joined the Attitude team in 2008 and he is the only reporter with prior experience or training in media. Tanya Black had a background in restaurant management before an accident resulted in the loss of the use of her legs. She joined Attitude in 2007.  Former presenter Nikki Sturrock was well known for her mountain climbing adventures, all done on a prosthetic leg.

Executive Producer Robyn Scott-Vincent was one of many producers to pitch ideas for the disabilities programme when TVNZ and NZ On Air put out a request for proposals in 2004.  Scott-Vincent is an experienced journalist and prolific documentary-maker. Her production team, particularly the directors, tend to have news and current affairs backgrounds. Their news experience is evident in the crafting of Attitude's stories and the pace of the programme as a whole.

In 2008 Attitude started asking viewers to send in content, including footage shot on video cameras or cellphones. This fits with the Attitude philosophy that aims to include viewers in every way possible, complementing the disabled community's catchphrase, 'nothing about us, without us'. The production team is particularly interested in stories about the daily frustrations caused by public ignorance about accessibility and parking.

Aside from some minor gripes about the amount of sport covered on the show, Attitude has been very well received by the audience. Attitude is broadcast on TV ONE at 9.30am on Sundays, and repeated on Freeview channel TVNZ7.