Programmes Immediately Available

Wild Life / Adventure / Animals

The Last Place On Earth - A spectacular journey through New Zealand - the islands that time forgot - where you'll encounter some of the oldest and rarest creatures in the world. Narrated by Gene Galusha. (55 min)

Shaky Beginnings - acclaimed 60 minute geological documentary about the origins of New Zealand with presenter Jim Hickey. Features spectacular aerials and stunning plants and animals, bubbling mud and steaming cauldrons, plus archive footage of some of New Zealands worst natural disasters.

Wild About New Zealand - 13 x 1/2hr Wild life adventure series which follows bushman/adventurer Grant Latimer and his amazing dog Rover from one end of New Zealand to the other. Climb our highest mountains, swim our deepest lakes, meet great Kiwi characters, enjoy bush cooking and discover New Zealand's rarest plants animals. A "must see" series.

The Bughouse - 60 minute documentary about the bugs that live in our houses with entomologist personality Ruud Kleinpaste.

Heavy Petting - A fun 50 minute documentary on the psychology of pet ownership.

Crime Documentaries

Trial By Ordeal - The investigation and Trial of John Barlow for the murder of businessman Eugene Thomas and his son. John Barlow is the only New Zealander tried 3 times for the same crime. ( 70 minutes)

Murder They Said - Award winning 90 minute documentary about the trial and conviction of David Tamihere for the murder of Swedish tourists Heidi Paakonaan and Urban Hoglin. Compelling reconstructions using the actual police exhibits.

In Cold Blood - Acclaimed 90 minute documentary revealing , for the first time, that mass murder is not a spontaneous and inexplicable event. This highly original documentary compares the lives of 3 mass murderers Thomas Hamilton ( Scotland) Martin Bryant (Australia) and David Gray (New Zealand) . The chilling comparisons this programme uncovered has formed the basis of a recently released book Agents Of Mayhem.

Stand By Your Man - 60 minute documentary about 3 women whose husbands committed major crimes. "The father does the crime but the family does the time".

Serious Fraud - 50 minute documentary about 3 of New Zealand's biggest fraud cases and a behind the scenes glimpse into the workings of the New Zealand Serious Fraud Office.

Social Documentaries

The Trouble With Ben - This acclaimed 50 minute documentary (currently nominated for several awards) tells the story of Jane, a solo mother, trying to look after Ben , her autistic son, at home. Three months after the filming of this programme Ben died aged 9. A government inquiry was subsequently held to the adequacy of State funded help provided to Ben. Stay tuned.

State Of Mind - 50 minute Documentary about the de- institutionalisation of health care for the mentally ill and the intellectually disabled. Former inmates talk about life inside and outside the asylum.

The Bridge - a look at the events which have happened on the Auckland Harbour Bridge over the last 45 years. (50 mins)

Biographies

The Sir Howard Morrison Story - the autobiography of the legendary New Zealand entertainer. 48 Minutes

Whina Mother Of The Nation - The inspirational life story of controversial Maori land activist and reformist Dame Whina Cooper largely told in her own words a few months before her death aged 95. (50 minutes)

Breaking Barriers - the life story of John O'Shea veteran New Zealand feature film maker. (50 minutes)

Sir Peter Blake - A 60 minute documentary which follows yatchsman Sir Peter Blake aboard Steinglarger 2 during the 1990 Whitbread Around the World Yatch Race.

History

The 1981 Springbok Tour - highly acclaimed documentary about the race riots which accompanied the 1981 Springbok Tour Of New Zealand. (50 minutes)

Taken For A Ride - a history of the horse in New Zealand. Farm, transport, war, hunting , jumping , racing and pet. (50 mins)

Culture

Beyond A Joke - 50 minute documentary tracing the origins of the New Zealand sense of humour, from John Clarke ( Fred Dagg) to the new waves of stand up comedians. No voice over commentary the comedians speak for themselves.

You're Soaking In It - 50 minute documentary which looks at social change in New Zealand through the medium of old television commercials.

First Impressions - How we make up our minds about people and situations in the first 30 seconds of and encounter . Lots of candid camera style street experiments. (50 minutes)

The Coach - behind the scenes with two New Zealand sports coaches ( 50 minutes)

17 - What is it like to be 17 and growing up in New Zealand.(50 minutes)

In Production

The Investigator - a 6 part Real Crime series for TVNZ

Just A Little Mad - 45 minute documentary on schizophrenia for TV3