Congratulations to Steve Barr and
Britta Hawkins who are two of the four new TVNZ
content commissioners! Here's a bit more about the commissioners
and what they'll be doing in their new roles.
The Local Content team is responsible for the development,
commissioning and internal production of local drama, comedy,
entertainment, factual and tamariki as well as Māori and Pasifika
news and current affairs on TVNZ's platforms.
Drama and scripted comedy commissioner
For almost 30 years Steve has been a writer, development
executive, producer and member of corporate teams in big Hollywood
studios, small indie production companies and many places in
between - including the presidency of the NZ Writers Guild and a
regular scripted assessor for NZOA.
Shortland St commissioner
Britta Hawkins is an established independent television producer
and director with more than 20 years' experience in the NZ
industry. Britta was a DA and then Director on Shortland
Street from the late 1990s - she directed the "Ferndale
Strangler" and downfall and death of Joey Henderson episode in
2007. She's directed and/or produced on a range of prime-time
series including Fresh Eggs, Dirty Laundry, Nothing Trivial, Go
Girls, Step Dave and Stolen.
Māori and Pacific commissioner
Summer Wharekawa (Ngāti Tahu, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maniapoto) joined
the Local Content team earlier this month from Greenstone where she
has been an Executive Producer. Summer brings more than 15 years of
experience to the role - she was the Senior Commissioner and
Interim Head of Content Development at Māori Television for two
years. Prior to that Summer worked as producer, director,
production manager and researcher for several independent
production companies - including her own across factual,
entertainment and tamariki content.
Tamariki and HEIHEI commissioner
Ngawaero Maniapoto (Ngāti Manipoto, Ngai te Rangi & Ngāpuhi)
is returning to Te Reo Tātaki as the new Tamariki and HEIHEI
Commissioner. Nga brings almost ten years of experience in various
roles in the industry. She's worked as a production manager and
researcher; was the Commissioning Assistant 2014-2017 and went on
to programme Tamariki Hā! for Māori Television. She is
coming across from the independent sector where she's been PMing a
scripted comedy, lifestyle series and a new animated series for
HEIHEI, The Ex Squad.