NZ AWARD SEASON JUST GOT REAL AGAIN
Big news for red carpet fans — the Kiwi Emmys are making a comeback. After a five-year hiatus, the New Zealand Television Awards will return in November, Spy can reveal. The ceremony will be made by J&A Productions, which has built the Vodafone new Zealand Music Awards into the social calendar juggernaut that it is. Our small screen stars have had a long wait for recognition — and the landscape has changed. Prepare for old rivalries to be renewed between TVNZ and Three — combined with fresh competition from Prime, Sky, Maori TV and numerous online platforms. Spy is already anticipating some of the showdowns — Wendy Petrie versus Samantha Hayes, Hilary Barry and Jack Tame versus Amanda Gillies and Duncan Garner in the breakfast TV battle spring to mind.
Broadcasters, production companies and agents will be under pressure to prove their mettle and talent and get networking to a plethora of category judges. Spy has learned the judging criteria has been designed to bring credibility, distinct from ratings and reviews. It’s the on-the-night drama we’ll also be looking for, including the outrageous acceptance speeches. Previous years have seen Paul Henry’s infamous blue language and Judy Bailey’s husband Chris making crude mention of her Mother of the Nation moniker.
And there’s the after-parties. When Antony Starr won best actor for Outrageous Fortune, he managed to lose the gong somewhere in Aotea Square. There’s speculation some big name acting expats will be tempted home to present awards.