New Faces

New Faces was one of a line of talent shows that stretched back to New Zealand television's birth in the early 1960s. Designed to highlight up-and-coming performers, it was twinned with the more songwriting-focussed Studio One, which began in 1968. New Faces featured novelty acts and brass bands, as well as a number of future pop legends, including Shona Laing and Split Enz. Judges, including Howard Morrison, Nick Karavias and Phil Warren could be brutal when they wanted to be; their catchcry of "no lurex" became a national mantra.