Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bringing Us All Together: Multiculturalism as Neoliberalism Through New Zealand on Air

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Migrant and Diasporic Film and Filmmaking in New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand on Air (NZOA) is the principal funding body for local media content. Notwithstanding its mandate to represent and reflect New Zealand culture and identity, the decisions made by NZOA must also take into account the commercial objectives of its broadcast partners. This chapter examines the implications of this dual mandate as it relates to multicultural-interest programming. Drawing on the discourses of post-multiculturalism, post-race and neo-assimilation, and the interconnection between these concepts and neoliberalism, the author argues that the way multiculturalism is represented in NZOA texts serves to enhance the prevailing cultural authority through the closing down of channels for critical discussion and rendering difference to solely benign forms of cultural diversity. The author concludes by accepting the now popular position that digital media may offer a novel pathway to more critical and analytical programming for marginalized and/or minority groups. However, this technological–cultural nexus does not foster an inclusive society and may serve to further marginalize non-mainstream voices.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    NZOA provides independent voices a significant opportunity to produce local content, but it is only one of several broadcasting policy initiatives designed to encourage such inclusion. In 1972, the Adam Report into New Zealand broadcasting (published in 1973 as The Broadcasting Future of New Zealand) advocated for liberalization of gatekeeping mechanisms in order to broaden the diversity of the mediated national narrative. The Report signalled the beginning of a time of experimentation in both the institutional structure and programming decisions for local broadcasting. A second state-owned channel was launched, thus providing more scope for both content and revenue making. The new institutional framework also facilitated a programming culture that produced a number of significant local series. These include the groundbreaking documentary series Tangata Whenua (1974) and the post-colonial period drama The Governor (1977).

  2. 2.

    Full details of NZOA’s budget allocations are available in their annual report http://www.nzonair.govt.nz/corporate-document-library/annual-report-2015-16/.

  3. 3.

    The analysis offered by Kymlicka focuses primarily on the immigrant nations of North America and the processes of migration and globalization affecting the new and old world dynamic of the Northern Hemisphere. As noted, New Zealand’s bicultural narrative and its colonial history contribute to a different political and cultural trajectory. But whilst the immigrant communities coming to New Zealand since the second half of the nineteenth century have all forged their own stories, they have all done so in relation to the dominant narrative of the British-Māori exchange.

References

  • Adam, K. (1973). The broadcasting future of New Zealand: Report of the Committee on Broadcasting. Wellington: A. R. Shearer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aukett, D. (2002). Seeing more of New Zealand on Air: Local content television broadcasting quotas in the era of globalization. Auckland University Law Review, 9(3), 672–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, Z. (2011). Culture in a liquid modern world. London: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadcasting Act. (1989). Available at: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1989/0025/latest/DLM155365.html

  • Broadcasting Policy. (2012). New Zealand National Party.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cocker, A. (2005). New Zealand on Air: A broadcasting public policy model. Political Science, 57(2), 43–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comrie, M., & Fountaine, S. (2005a). On-screen politics: The TVNZ charter and coverage of political news. Political Science, 57(2), 29–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Comrie, M., & Fountaine, S. (2005b). Retrieving public service broadcasting: Treading a fine line at TVNZ. Media, Culture and Society, 27(101), 101118.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comrie, M., & McMillan, K. (2013). Running on the spot: New Zealand’s record on news media gender equity. Pacific Journalism Review, 19(2), 196–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • deBrett, M. (2009). Riding the wave: Public service television in the multi-platform era. Media, Culture and Society, 31(5), 807–827.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, A. (1996). Gender, class and multiculturalism: Rethinking ‘Race’, ‘Politics’. In A. Gordon & C. Newfield (Eds.), Mapping multiculturalism (pp. 40–48). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Day, P. (1994). The radio years—A history of broadcasting in New Zealand. Auckland: Auckland University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish, S. (1997). Boutique multiculturalism, or why liberals are incapable of thinking about hate speech. Critical Inquiry, 23(2), 378–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giddens, A. (2000). The third way and its critics. Cambridge: Polity.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gozdecka, D., Ercan, S., & Kmak, M. (2014). From multiculturalism to post-multiculturalism: Trends and paradoxes. Journal of Sociology, 50(1), 51–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunew, S. (1999). The melting pot of assimilation. In L. Lim, L. Smith, & W. Dissanayake (Eds.), Transnational Asia Pacific (pp. 145–158). Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Greive, D. (2016, July 16). Terry Teo signals the end of the NZ on Air model as we know it (and that’s a good thing). The Spinoff. Retrieved from http://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/19-07-2016/terry-teo-signals-the-end-of-the-nz-on-air-model-as-we-know-it-and-thats-fine/.

  • Haller, B., & Zhang, L. (2013). Consuming image: how mass media impact people with disabilities. Communications Quarterly, 61(3), 319–334.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, D. (2005). A brief history of Neoliberalism. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Homan, S. (2012). Local priorities, industry realities: The music quota as cultural exceptionalism. Media, Culture & Society, 34(8), 1040–1051.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horrocks, R. (2004). The history of New Zealand Television: An expensive medium for a small country. In R. Horrocks & N. Perry (Eds.), Television in New Zealand: Programming the Nation (pp. 24–43). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, M. (1999). Being Pākehā now: Reflections and recollections of a white native. Auckland: Penguin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kothari, S., & Pearson, S. (2007). Menus for a multicultural New Zealand. Continuum, 21(1), 45–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kymlicka, W. (1996). Multicultural citizenship: A liberal theory of minority rights. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Larner, W. (2000). Neoliberalism: Policy, ideology, governmentality. Studies in Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights Political Economy, 63, 5–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lealand, G. (2004). Children and youth television: The most important genre? In R. Horrocks & N. Perry (Eds.), Television in New Zealand: Programming the Nation (pp. 24–43). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentin, A. (2012). Post-race, post-politics: The paradoxical rise of culture after multiculturalism. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 37(8), 1268–1285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentin, A. (2014). Post-race, post-politics: The paradoxical rise of culture after multiculturalism. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 37(8), 1268–1285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, V. (2005). What was Multiculturalism. Portal: Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, 2(2), 1–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand on Air Statement of Intent 2014–2018. (2014). The broadcasting commission. Wellington: New Zealand on Air.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pease, D. (1997). Regulating multi-adhoccerists, fish(s) rules. Critical Inquiry, 2, 396–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Purvis, T., & Hunt, A. (1999). Identity versus citizenship: Transformations in the discourses and practices of citizenship. Social Legal Studies, 8, 457–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, D. (2014). Public broadcasting through the public sphere: A re-imagining of public service media in New Zealand. Media International Australia, 153, 31–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, D. (2015). Ideology, identity and commodification of New Zealand in Annabel Langbein - The free range cook. Media Studies Journal if Aotearoa/New Zealand, 15(2), 78–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. (1996). Revolution in the air. Auckland: Addison Wesley Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson, N. (2001). Culture and citizenship. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sweetman, S. (2010). The Joke that is NZOA funding [blog post]. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/blogs/blog-on-the-tracks/4077202/The-joke-that-is-NZ-On-Air-funding.

  • Taylor, C. (1992). Multiculturalism and the politics of recognition. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. (2000). A road to nowhere? Broadcasting reforms and the ‘Third Way’ in New Zealand. Communication Journal of New Zealand, 1(1), 20–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. (2003). The Croc with no teeth? New Zealand television in the post-TVNZ Charter-context. New Zealand Political Review, 12(1), 19–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. (2004). Unto God or Unto Caesar? Television after the TVNZ Charter. Communication Journal of New Zealand, 5(2), 66–100.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thompson, P. (2005). Calling the tune without paying the piper? The political-economic contradictions of funding the TVNZ Charter. ANZCA Conference ‘Communication at Work’, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 4–7 July 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tracey, M. (1998). The decline and fall of public service broadcasting. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Turner, B. (2003). Towards a general theory of cultural citizenship. In Stevenson, N (Ed.), Culture & citizenship (pp. 11–32). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walsh, J. (2014). The marketization of multiculturalism: Neoliberal restructuring and cultural difference in Australia. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 37(2), 280–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zalipour, A. (2016). The interstitial and collective modes of film production in New Zealand: A case study in Asian diasporic films. Transnational Cinemas, 7(1), 96–110. https://doi.org/10.1080/20403526.2016.1111670.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Television Texts

  • 7 Days. (2009–). Auckland. The Downlow Concept.

    Google Scholar 

  • An Immigrant Nation. (1994). Auckland. Top Shelf Productions.

    Google Scholar 

  • A Taste of Home. (2007). Auckland. TVNZ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Attitude. (2005–). Auckland. TVNZ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asia Downunder. (1994–2011). Auckland, Television New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Find me a Māori Bride. (2015). Auckland. Brown Sugar Apple Grunt Productions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flat 3. (2013–2014). Auckland. Flat3 Productions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunger for the Wild. (2007–2009). Christchurch, Fisheye Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jono and Ben. (2012–). Auckland. MediaWorks.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiwi. (2016). Auckland. Rogue Productions.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marae DIY. (2012–13). Auckland. Screentime.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand’s Got Talent. (2012). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • New Zealand Idol. (2004–06). Auckland. Grundy Television.

    Google Scholar 

  • Outrageous Fortune. (2005–2013). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pukemanu. (1971). Wellington. New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rural Delivery. (2005–). Auckland. TVNZ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shortland Street. (1991–). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Step Dave. (2014–15). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tangata Pasifika. (1996–) Auckland. Television New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tangata Whenua. (1974). Wellington. Pacific Films/New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terry Teo. (2016). Auckland. Semi-Professional Films.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Brokenwood Mysteries. (2014–2016). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • The Governor. (1977). Wellington. New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waka Huia. (1990–). Auckland. Television New Zealand.

    Google Scholar 

  • West Side. (2015–). Auckland. South Pacific Pictures.

    Google Scholar 

  • Why Does Love. (2016). Auckland. Great Southern Television.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia

    Donald Reid

Authors
  1. Donald Reid
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Donald Reid .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand

    Arezou Zalipour

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Reid, D. (2019). Bringing Us All Together: Multiculturalism as Neoliberalism Through New Zealand on Air. In: Zalipour, A. (eds) Migrant and Diasporic Film and Filmmaking in New Zealand. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1379-0_7

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-1379-0_7

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-1378-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-1379-0

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation