News

New Zealand-based television production company NHNZ has joined forces with Chinese production company Beijing Yuanchun Media to make an hour long special on the massive earthquake which struck Sichuan province in May 2008, measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale and killing 80,000 people.

NHNZ managing director Michael Stedman said the two companies had been looking for an opportunity to collaborate on a project for some time. 

“We’re delighted to have found the right opportunity to work with Yuanchun Media. Working together with the support of SARFT, we’ve gained unprecedented access to footage from areas absolutely devastated by the earthquake as well as firsthand accounts of the destruction it caused from survivors.”

China Quake follows a team of international scientists studying the rare and powerful magnitude 7.9 earthquake – the largest continental thrust event ever recorded.  The geologists, engineers and seismologists make ground breaking discoveries that will help to save lives in the future anywhere that killer quakes strike.

Mr Stedman said NHNZ’s most recent partnership with Yuanchun Media was part of an ongoing strategy to expand its production relationships in China. NHNZ has already worked successfully with China’s Intercontinental Communication Center (CICC), China Central Television (CCTV) and Chinese production company Viewpoint over the past eight years to make a range of programmes showcasing China’s rich history and culture.

“Part of our strategy is to take a slow but steady approach to building strong and enduring relationships with our colleagues in China.  After almost a decade working there, we have learned that relationships are at the heart of every successful business operation. This is especially true in television production where trust plays a vital part in creating compelling programmes,” he said.

In addition to an office in Beijing, NHNZ also employs a team of researchers and producers dedicated to bringing China’s stories to the world’s attention.

The hour long special China Quake is being made as a co production with Yuanchun Media and National Geographic Channels International and will air internationally later this year.