The Information for Applicants for the NZ On Air first funding round for the 2026/27 Financial Year, Round Tahi, is now available.
In Round Tahi they will accept applications across the following range of target audiences and content genres: Drama, Comedy, Documentary and General Factual, Children, Youth, Journalism, Podcasts, Content Development, Capability and Discoverability.
The Round Tahi Information for Funding Applicants can be found HERE.
Allocations for this round are:
Non-fiction
Approximately $9m for Non-fiction projects.
They will accept Non-fiction applications for screen content, with priority given to broad-reach general factual series that feature compelling public media themes. This includes documentaries, podcasts, national event coverage, comedy panel shows, unscripted comedy shows, reality shows and partial financing of feature films supported by the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC).
Journalism
In this round, they will accept applications into the ‘reporting on public institutions’ category of Journalism funding.
Scripted
Approximately $8m for Scripted projects.
They will prioritise applications for larger-scale series projects seeking $1m-$3m in this round, and welcome well-developed projects intending to access the New Zealand Screen Production Rebate (NZSPR). Drama, comedy and partial financing of feature films supported by NZFC are all eligible.
Music/Sync Licensing
They welcome applications from Scripted projects that plan to incorporate at least 80 percent local music (both track licensing and composition) into their productions.
Tamariki
Approximately $4m for Tamariki content.
They welcome applications for Scripted and Non-fiction children's projects into this round, however they will not be accepting applications for games. Applications will ideally be tailored for multiple platforms, with well-defined strategies for engaging the target audience.
Also welcome are production-ready NZSPR projects for tamariki, that require ‘last-in’ funding seeking up to $2.5m.
Rangatahi
Approximately $1m for Rangatahi content.
They welcome applications for bold and innovative local content that will reach rangatahi audiences (15 – 24-year-olds). Encouraged is local platform support, projects will ideally have a multi-platform distribution strategy.
Rangatahi projects may have YouTube as a primary platform but will need to meet additional criteria to replace the role that a commissioning platform typically plays.
Development and Capability
They are taking the opportunity to refresh their approach to Capability and Discoverability funding and align with the Government’s Amplify strategy for the cultural sector, which prioritises coordinated, high-impact investment in sector capability and discoverability. This may mean some rationalisation of how NZOA funds industry events and capability-building activity, and some projects we have previously supported may no longer sit within scope. They will be working alongside NZFC and Te Māngai Pāho as part of this and will keep the sector informed as this work progresses.
Timeline
Applications Open: Thursday 30 April
Applications Close: Thursday 21 May, 4pm
Late applications will not be considered. In very exceptional circumstances, they may consider an out-of-time application for time-sensitive projects agreed prior by the Head of Funding or the Associate Head of Funding.
Decisions confirmed, applicants notified: Friday 31 July
This date may be extended at NZ On Air’s sole discretion.
All applications must be made through the NZ On Air Portal. Only applications submitted through this portal will be accepted.