AUCKLAND (Television NZ/Pacific Media Watch): Television New Zealand has named four independent production companies as the preferred applicants to produce its stable of Māori and Pacific programmes.
Subject to the successful conclusion of production agreements with the companies involved, TVNZ said in a statement at the weekend it would be outsourcing production to the following companies:
· Tiki Lounge, led by Lisa Taouma, is the preferred applicant for Fresh.
· Tagata Pasifika Ltd, a newly formed company involving a number of TVNZ staff currently working for the in-house Māori and Pacific Programming team, is the preferred applicant for Tagata Pasifika.
· Pango Aotearoa Ltd, led by Bailey Mackey, is the preferred applicant for Marae.
· Scottie Productions, led by Megan Douglas, is the preferred applicant for Waka Huia .
The four companies were selected from a strong field by TVNZ in consultation with government funders Te Mangai Paho and NZ On Air, the statement said.
All four companies have expressed willingness to take on existing TVNZ staff who wish to transfer their employment.
It is expected that final negotiations will be completed within the next week, the statement said.
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