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Nature Shows Still Hot

Nature Shows Still Hot

A leading global television production company says demand for wildlife programming is as strong as ever.

As factual television production company NHNZ celebrates three decades in the business, its work in natural history shows no signs of waning.

And although NHNZ has expanded the range of genre it works in since its formation in 1978, the current slate reflects continued demand for programs from the world of nature.

But while the subject matter is natural, the presentation is entirely 21st century.

NHNZ Director of Marketing and Development Neil Harraway explains.

"It is still natural history but not as we knew it thirty years ago. The programs are more likely to be presented as observational documentaries with visual effects thrown in. For us it's about continually redefining the way we tell stories to the world."

Over the past 12 months NHNZ has delivered a range of programs where animals have taken centre stage. This includes a compelling one hour special tracking the amazing journey of a female shark, an observational documentary showcasing the lives and loves of orphaned orangutans, a soon to premiere docu-drama featuring warring tribes of macaque monkeys, and a voyage of scientific discovery to the icy Southern Ocean and the fascinating dissection of a fully intact adult colossal squid.

Add to that the recently announced multi million dollar Weird Edens series being made with NHK, the Science Channel, Animal Planet and France 5, and a two hour special tracking the arrival and early days of three rare Sumatran Tigers and it's clear that natural history still rates, Harraway says.

"People will always be fascinated by the world around them - especially as cities get bigger and people's contact with wildlife decreases. Our job is to bring fresh stories to new generations of viewers in ways that resonate with them. To achieve that, you've got to be editorially imaginative, stylistically innovative and technically savvy."

With 75 hours of production underway and a further 15 in the queue to be greenlit, the prolific factual producer has never been busier. With all ten of the edit suites at its Dunedin based HQ full, the company is leasing two external production suites to meet demand from its international clientele. At the same time its Singapore based production company Beach House Pictures is also busy with 15 hours of work on its production slate.

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