5.1 Book publishing

New Zealand has a vigorous book publishing industry that caters not only for the local market but also, particularly in the case of educational books, for an increasing number of overseas purchasers.  Educational publishing accounts for approximately 65 percent of titles exported by New Zealand publishers. 

The estimated annual turnover of the book New Zealand book publishing industry in 2007 was $266 million, of which $36 million came from export sales. New Zealand titles generated turnover of $127 million in 2007. There are over 600 publishers in New Zealand, nearly two thirds of whom are sole operators.

According to library sources in 2005 4,536 titles were published.  These included publications from specialist book publishers, government departments, local bodies, historical societies, business organisations, special interest groups and individuals.  

New Zealand Book Month has been held annually since 2006. With seed funding from government, booksellers, publishers, authors and illustrators take part in the month long campaign to celebrate New Zealand books and New Zealand writers.  The Book Council manages a series of nationwide events throughout the month. In 2010, New Zealand Book Month attracted over 23,400 participants.

In 2012, New Zealand will be the Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair.

New Zealand households spent $5.6 million or an average of $3,60 per household per week on books in the year ended June 2007. (Source: Household Spending on Culture, 2010)

The Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) represents the wide-ranging interests of its members, such as export, copyright concerns, training and professional standards.  A key focus of Booksellers New Zealand is book promotion, and increasing the sales of books.  They manage New Zealand's book awards, recognising excellence in writing and publishing; nationwide events, promoting the enjoyment and importance of reading books; and actively develop opportunities for exposing books through television, radio and the print media.  With the Book Publishers Association they maintain a New Zealand presence at international bookfairs.

See also "Literature", section 4.5 above.

For more information about New Zealand’s Book Publishing Industry see:

Exports of New Zealand Published Books (Oct 2003)

5.2 Press

Newspapers and magazines

• Daily newspapers. New Zealand has a high number of daily newspapers in relation to its population size.  In 2009 there were 21 daily newspapers, nearly all of which were published in provincial towns and cities. Of the 7 morning dailies, the Auckland-based New Zealand Herald has the largest audited net circulation at 170,473 copies daily. The largest provincial paper is Hamilton's 'Waikato Times' with an audited net circulation of 41,045.  Other daily newspapers have circulations ranging from about 3,000 (the Oamaru Mail) to 88,100 (Wellington’s Dominion Post). The majority of the country's daily papers are owned by two major publishing groups, APN New Zealand Limited and Fairfax Media. Between them, these two groups now account for the major proportion of New Zealand's aggregate daily newspaper circulation. On a typical day more than 51 percent of New Zealand households purchase a newspaper. 

Total  weekly household spending on newspapers amounted to $2.4 million, an average of $1.50 per household per week for the year ended June 2007. (Source: Household Spending on Culture 2010).

• Sunday newspapers. In 2009 there were three Sunday newspapers, 'Sunday Star Times' and 'Sunday News', and the ‘Herald on Sunday’.  The 'Sunday Star Times' is a broadsheet and circulates 167,531 copies every Sunday. The ‘Herald on Sunday’ and ‘Sunday News’ have circulations of approximately 90,000 and 63,000 a week respectively.
• Community newspapers. There are approximately 126 community newspapers in New Zealand of which the great majority are tabloid.  Many of these community papers are owned by the two big newspaper publishing groups but some are owned by individuals, families or by small companies.

Magazines

There are over 6000 magazines available in New Zealand on a regular basis, 650 of which are published in New Zealand. Of these 230 are listed with the New Zealand Audit Bureau of Circulations as being published in New Zealand or as New Zealand editions.   Of these, 19 are published weekly, 5 fortnightly, 83 are published monthly and 38 in alternate months. AA Directions magazine has the largest circulation (546,407) followed by Skywatch (405,882).

In New Zealand, over $8 is spent on magazines in retail every second (Source: Magazine Publishers Association).

5.3 Broadcasting

Broadcasting Policy

Broadcasting policy focuses on: supporting widely available quality public broadcasting; encouraging innovation and technological change; and ensuring value for money through enhanced transparency, accountability, and competition. 

A priority in broadcasting policy is support for local content through contestable funding which promotes competition for quality, content diversity and the availability of content across a range of channels and platforms.  This funding is provided via the Broadcasting Commission (known as New Zealand On Air).  Other priorities include ensuring early and successful digital switchover, ensuring the state-owned broadcaster, Television New Zealand has the flexibility to respond to the changing broadcasting and economic environments; and enhancing the transparency of and accountability for public funding for broadcasting. 

Regional and Community Broadcasting Framework

The policy framework for regional and community broadcasting,  enables a range of broadcasting services, content and formats for regional, local and community and minority audiences including ethnic minorities, communities of interest and students. The Framework is a set of objectives for government in future policy development to:

• Promote local broadcasting services (local broadcasting);
• Promote innovation and a diverse range of content and formats for different audience identities and interests (diversity);
• Facilitate wide technical, cultural and social access to broadcasting (accessibility); and
• Provide for long term developments affecting broadcasting (future-proofing).

Eligibility criteria for local licences have been developed from the policy framework and it provides scope for new local commercial broadcasters, as well as non-commercial broadcasters.  The Crown has reserved AM and FM radio frequencies and UHF television frequencies throughout the country for use by non-commercial broadcasters, restricted to non-profit activities.  Additional FM frequencies have also been set aside for local commercial radio.

Digital Broadcasting

In 2008,  free-to-air digital television was launched in New Zealand, beginning a 6-10 year transition towards an eventual switch-off of analogue signals. The switch-off of analogue signals will be completed by November 2013, beginning with Hawke's Bay and the West Coast in September 2012.

Government support is provided for a combination satellite and terrestrial free-to-air digital, service delivered by a consortium of broadcasters known as Freeview.  The government is providing $25 million for the Freeview platform over five years, and an allocation of digital terrestrial spectrum without charge during the transition to analogue switch-off.  Digital transmission is managed by Kordia, the state transmission company,

Spectrum Policy

Since the broadcasting reforms of 1988-89, the number of registered radio frequencies has increased substantially.  The Radio Communications Act 1989 established a market-based system for spectrum management, with up to 20-year tradeable spectrum access rights.  Such rights not only encourage investment in spectrum use, but also provide for situations where a number of users are possible.

Spectrum access rights are allocated by auction (aside from those set aside for allocation by other means, e.g. for non-commercial, Māori, and public broadcasting, and for the transition to free-to-air digital television).  The registration of licences following allocation establishes the tradeable right that is recorded in a publicly accessible register. An annual administration fee is payable to the Ministry of Economic Development by all registered licence holders.

Most of the currently available UHF television, FM sound radio and AM sound radio frequencies have now been allocated.  Additional licences are created, where technically possible, and allocated when there is demand for them.  Information on past and future auctions can be found on the MED website. 

Local content

In 2002 a voluntary Code of Practice was adopted by the Radio Broadcasters Association.  This was aimed at raising the local music content to an average of 20% across commercial radio formats within five years.  This was achieved, and the level has been maintained since. 

Television broadcasting

Television New Zealand

TVNZ currently operates four national channels (TV ONE, TV2, U and TVNZ 7), and has several subsidiary companies.  TVNZ broadcasts are accessible by almost 100 per cent coverage of the New Zealand population. TV ONE and TV2 broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. TVNZ also broadcasts a news service to the Pacific, and operates a captioning service for selected programmes.

Māori Television

Māori Television was founded under the Māori Television Service Act 2003 (Te Aratuku Whakaata Irirangi Māori). Passed in May 2003, the act established the Service as a statutory corporation. Under the Act the Service should:

• be a high quality, cost effective television provider which informs, educates and entertains
• broadcast mainly in reo Māori
• have regard to the needs of children participating in immersion education and all people learning Māori .

These and other functions may be amended following a current review of the Maori Television Service Act.

Private Television

SKY Television was New Zealand's first pay television network.  It began broadcasting in May 1990 and now delivers multiple subscription channels via digital satellite.  SKY also owns free-to-air broadcast channel Prime.  Private broadcaster, MediaWorks delivers TV3, TV3+1, C4 and C42 channels.  TelstraClear delivers subscription cable television in Wellington, Kapiti, and Christchurch.

Freeview

Since 2008, New Zealanders have had access to a free-to-air digital television platform, known as Freeview. The government has supported the roll-out of Freeview with $25 million in funding.  Freeview is a consortium of Television New Zealand, MediaWorks, Māori Television, and Radio New Zealand, and broadcasts via both satellite and terrestrial transmission systems. It delivers a range of channels including TVNZ’s four channels, MediaWorks’ four channels, two Māori Television channels, Radio New Zealand’s two networks, Prime, Parliament TV, Chinese Television and a number of regional broadcasters.

In 2009, The Ministry invited submissions on a public discussion paper outlining options for the two issues that arise from the planned switchover to digital television: the transition of regional television to digital transmission, and proposed changes to the VHF and UHF radio spectrum bands as the result of freeing up of spectrum currently used for analogue transmission.

Regional Television

A number of small regional commercial and non-commercial television services operate around the country, providing a mix of programmes, from music to local and international news, community access, and tourist and entertainment services.   NZ On Air provides funding for selected community and regional content on some regional services. 

Radio broadcasting

Radio New Zealand

State-owned radio provided both commercial and public radio services to New Zealand from the early 1930s, though the commercial services were sold in the 1990s.  Private radio emerged in the late 1960s.

Radio New Zealand Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa is New Zealand's public radio broadcaster consisting of:

• Three non-commercial radio networks: National, Concert and the AM Network.
• A shortwave service (broadcasting to the Pacific in analogue and digital): Radio New Zealand International.
• A news service: Radio New Zealand News and Current Affairs.
• Sound Archives/Ngā Taonga Kōrero.  

Radio New Zealand also provides extensive services via its website.

Radio New Zealand operates under a Charter, which is set out in the Radio New Zealand Act 1995.

Pacific Island Radio

Niu FM, operated by the National Pacific Radio Trust, broadcasts on a nationwide network of reserved frequencies in the upper FM band capable of eventually providing coverage of approximately 85% of New Zealand's population. The network receives government funding, and in 2007 was merged with Auckland station 531PI.  Samoan Capital Radio in Wellington broadcasts part-time on the same frequency as Wellington Access service. 

Māori Radio

The Crown's primary interest in Māori radio is the role it can play in the regeneration of the Māori language. It also has a major influence in increasing the amount of popular music in Māori, further heightening interests of young Māori to learn Māori.  Iwi radio stations were established between  1989-1994 with NZ on Air as the lead Crown Agency. Te Māngai Pāho assumed responsibility for funding all stations in 1995. Currently there are 21 Iwi radio stations.  Māori radio service coverage extends to approximately 80% of the total Māori population. 

Commercial radio

There are over 200 hundred commercial radio stations in New Zealand.  The majority of these are controlled by two media companies, MediaWorks  and The Radio Network,

Access and community radio stations

Access and community radio stations operating on reserved frequencies provide air time on a non-profit basis to a range of minority groups in the community.  In 2010 there were 11 access radio stations operating in New Zealand.  There are also a number of student radio stations, and radio services for remote communities.

Funding Agencies

The subsidy of broadcast content is delivered through a combination of direct and arm's length mechanisms. The bulk of subsidised programmes on the main free-to-air channels continues to be funded on a contestable basis by NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho.  Radio New Zealand is bulk-funded for its two main domestic networks through a contract with NZ On Air, in accordance with a ministerial directive.

NZ On Air

The Broadcasting Act 1989 established the Broadcasting Commission (NZ On Air).  It provided for election broadcasting and restricted the scope for political intervention in the management or programming of TVNZ or RNZ.  Limits on overseas shareholdings in New Zealand broadcasting companies were removed in 1991.

The role of the Broadcasting Commission (NZ On Air): Irirangi te Motu is to promote cultural and social objectives in broadcasting and other activities unlikely to receive sufficient commercial provision.  Its statutory objectives are to:

• Reflect and develop New Zealand identity and culture by promoting programmes about New Zealand and New Zealand interests and promoting Māori language and culture.
• Maintain and, where considered appropriate, extend television and radio coverage to New Zealand communities that otherwise would not receive a commercially viable signal.
• Ensure that a range of programmes is available to provide for the interests of women, children, people with disabilities and other minorities, including ethnic minorities.
• Encourage the establishment and operation of archives of programmes that are likely to be of historical interest in New Zealand.

NZ On Air fulfils these objectives by providing funds for broadcasting, production of programmes and archiving of programmes.  Since July 2000 this funding has come from general taxation.  Previously the Public Broadcasting Fee was levied on each household with a television set. In 2008, the statutory functions of NZ On Air and Te Mangai Paho (see below) were amended to allow both agencies to fund content intended specifically for reception on demand (for example, via websites).

Te Māngai Pāho

Te Māngai Pāho, the Māori broadcasting funding agency, was established by the Broadcasting Amendment Act 1993 to provide funding to promote Māori language and culture through broadcasting.  Te Māngai Pāho’s purchase decisions are guided by the Government Māori Language Strategy Policy objectives:

• To increase the number of people who know the Māori language by increasing their opportunities to learn Māori.
• To improve the proficiency levels of people in speaking Māori, listening to Māori, reading Māori and writing Māori.
• To increase the opportunities to use Māori by increasing the number of situations where Māori can be used.
• To increase the rate at which the Māori language develops so that it can be used for the full range of modern activities.
• To foster amongst Māori and Non- Māori positive attitudes towards and accurate beliefs and positive values about the Māori language so that Māori-English bilingualism becomes a valued part of New Zealand society

Broadcasting Standards

Since 1989 New Zealand has shown a preference for industry co-regulation on the basis of statutory provisions in the Broadcasting Act 1989. Broadcast programme and advertising content standards are regulated via industry codes by the Broadcasting Standards Authority and, since 1993, the non-statutory Advertising Standards Authority. The agencies rule on complaints, though broadcasting complaints are made to the broadcaster in the first instance. There is also provision for the BSA to fulfil an educational function in relation to standards.

(Also see section 2.2, "National cultural-sector agencies").

5.4 Sound recording industry

Sound recording in New Zealand is largely a private-sector activity.  However, NZ On Air supports the production of popular music videos, promotional CDs of new releases for radio stations, and other forms of promotion.  Creative New Zealand makes grants for recording projects in a variety of genres.

The New Zealand Music Commission (NZMC) was established in 2000.  A government funded agency, NZMC is committed to growing NZ music business, both at home and overseas.

Domestically the NZMC runs seminar events - such as Resonate (featuring UK music professionals) and Warrant of Fitness (featuring ex-pat New Zealand music industry practitioners)  It works with the Ministry of Education to support the secondary school music curriculum and coordinate band mentoring in schools.  It is also one of the key organizations behind the annual NZ Music Month programme.

NZMC’s international scheme ‘Outward Sound’ focuses primarily on international music market development and works with individual artists’ business managers. The NZMC’s international programme also includes coordinating the NZ presence at two key offshore events – the MIDEM trade fair in Cannes, France, and the South By Southwest conference in Austin, Texas.

In the year ended June 2007,  New Zealand households reported spending $95 million on recorded music (not including digital downloads). (Source:  Household Spending on Culture 2010).

5.5 Cinema and film industry

Building on the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the New Zealand film industry has continued to grow in recent years. Production of films such as The Lovely Bones and Avatar as well as continued interest and support for local content has ensured that film remains an integral part of New Zealand’s cultural economy. According to census data, the number of people employed in film and video production continued to grow from 2001 to 2006.(Source: Employment in the Cultural Sector (2009).

Since 2005/06 Statistics New Zealand has undertaken a survey of the New Zealand screen industry.  In 2008 the survey showed that there were 2,223 businesses comprising the screen industry of which over 90% were engaged in production or post-production.  The majority of screen businesses are located in Auckland and Wellington.

In 2008 the industry recorded a gross revenue of $2.743 million, an 11 percent increase on the previous year.  (Source: Screen Industry in New Zealand 2008.)  In 2011 New Zealand screen industry revenue rose 4 percent, to nearly $3 billion, in comparison to 2010 figures.  Feature film revenue was just over $700 million, and made up half of all production and post-production revenue. Visit Statistics New Zealand's website for the latest screen sector data.

Engaging with/watching film and video as a cultural activity has increased in popularity in New Zealand.  The number of households reporting expenditure increased from 340,900 for the year ended June 2001 to 463,700 for 2003/04, (there was also an increase in the proportion of households reporting expenditure on film and video from 24 percent to 31 percent during the same period). The overall aggregate household expenditure on film and video in 2007 was $347.8 million.  (Source:  Household Spending on Culture 2005)

The New Zealand Film Commission's role is 'to encourage and participate and assist in the making, promotion, distribution and exhibition of films' made in New Zealand by New Zealanders on New Zealand subjects.  It does this by providing loans and equity financing, being active in the sales and marketing of New Zealand films, and assisting with training and professional development within the industry.  In the almost 30 years since the Film Commission was established, over 283 features have been made in New Zealand, more than 150 of them with Film Commission finance. Since 2000, over 125 features have been made in New Zealand.

Creative New Zealand and the Commission also jointly make grants in the field of experimental and innovative film and video through the Screen Innovation Production Fund.

Co-production agreements

As of 11 September 2011, New Zealand currently has 13 bilateral film co-production agreements or arrangements in force with: Australia (1986, revised 1994), Canada (1987), France (1987), United Kingdom (1993), Italy (1997, revised 2004), Singapore (2004), Germany (2005), Ireland (2007), Spain (2008), Korea (2008) (for feature films only), China (2010) (for feature films only), India (2011) and South Africa (2011).  New Zealand also has two non-binding co-operative arrangements for audio-visual industry co-operation, with the Republic of Korea  (2005) and Hong Kong (2010).

Film co-production agreements allow approved projects to gain status as official co-productions, entitling them to the benefits accorded national films in each of the co-producers’ countries.  Benefits include access to film financing and incentives within the existing legislation of each country, and government facilitation such as temporary immigration for nationals of the other country and temporary entry of equipment. In New Zealand the main benefit accruing to national films is qualification for financial assistance pursuant to section 18 of the New Zealand Film Commission Act 1978.