Waikato tea gets on TV — to 100 million viewers
Most New Zealand companies can only dream of showcasing their wares to a hundred million people around the world.
It is a dream scenario came together recently for Waikato firm Zealong Tea, when BBC Earth included the company in a big budget documentary series about the world of tea.
Called One Cup, a Thousand Stories, the six part series is, in the description of the BBC, ‘‘an immersive, beautifully filmed story of the drink that changed the world
. . . telling the story of tea on an unprecedented scale’’.
Distributed worldwide on pay-to-view channels, it will reach an estimated audience of 100,000,000 viewers.
Zealong Tea general manager Sen Kong said the show’s producers searched the world before selecting Zealong as an example of a company representing the future of tea.
‘‘They really liked how we combine tradition and innovation, and that we’re the largest Internationally certified organic tea estate in the world.’’ he said.
The Zealong segment focused on the company’s quality-based approach to making tea, which includes organic sprayfree farming, compliance with international food safety standards, and the use of modern technology.
‘‘You probably think all tea is made like this, but it’s not’’ Kong said. ‘‘Teas aren’t subject to food grade standards, so you don’t really know what’s in your tea, or how it was grown and processed. Zealong’s always endeavoured to be different, and that fascinated the show’s producers.’’
Shot during the 2021 Covid lockdown, the BBC had planned to send over a film crew from Europe. That proved impossible thanks to the pandemic, so an Aucklandbased team under direction from BBC HQ was employed.
‘‘We are rapt with the results,’’ Kong said. ‘‘The BBC comes to your place, shoots a high-budget, highly flattering piece about your company then broadcasts it to the world. What’s not to love?’’
Zealong is the only company growing and making tea in New Zealand. Famous for its oolong teas, it produces 16 types of tea, all from the same estate, which have won numerous international awards.