New Zealand Television and Film Awards History
The landscape of New Zealand's screen industry recognition has evolved through decades of restructuring, rebranding, and shifting sponsorships. From early sculptor-designed trophies to the modern integration of streaming and digital platforms, the journey of these awards reflects the growth of the nation's creative output.
Early Foundations and the Feltex Era
The tradition began with the National TV Awards, which operated from 1964 to 1965. Organized by the New Zealand Television Workshop, these awards featured a trophy designed by the renowned sculptor Greer Twiss.
Following a gap, the industry saw the rise of the New Zealand Feltex Awards between 1970 and 1985. These ceremonies were sponsored by the carpet manufacturer Feltex, marking one of the first major corporate sponsorships in the sector.
The Rise of GOFTA and the AFTAs
In 1986, the Guild of Film and Television Arts (GOFTA) took over, launching the GOFTA Awards. For over a decade, these awards served as a joint celebration of both film and television until 2000, when the two mediums were split into separate ceremonies.
The history of GOFTA is not without its mishaps. The 1987 ceremony, hosted by American personality Leeza Gibbons and radio host Nic Nolan, became infamous for poor stage management and a disruptive audience that heckled guest John Inman.
By 1998, a coalition of national guilds—including the Writers Guild, WIFT, SPADA, The Techos' Guild, and Nga Aho Whakaari—established the Academy of Film and Television Arts. This led to the AFTAs, which were held in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003 with sponsorship from Nokia.
The Qantas Era and Institutional Shifts
2005 marked a significant shift with the creation of two distinct presentations: the Qantas Television Awards and the New Zealand Screen Awards. The former, run by the New Zealand Television Broadcasters Council (now ThinkTV), focused on television and journalism. The latter, managed by the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand (SDGNZ), celebrated both film and television, leading to some overlap in categories.
In 2008, these two entities merged to form the Qantas Film and Television Awards. This joint venture continued until 2011, when the event was renamed the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards (AFTA).
Funding Challenges and the "Moas"
The industry faced a period of instability starting in 2012. Due to resource and funding constraints, the SDGNZ withdrew from the AFTAs. While ThinkTV launched the New Zealand Television Awards in 2012, the event collapsed in 2013 after partner TVNZ withdrew its support, leaving the country without an annual television award.
In response to the void in film recognition, industry figure Ant Timpson and editor Hugh Sundae created the Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards, affectionately known as the Moas. In 2013, these were renamed the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards. Because no official television awards existed that year, the Moas stepped in to present a single award for Best Television Feature or Drama Series.
Additionally, the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) expanded its Silver Scroll Awards in 2014 to include specific categories for original music in feature films and series.
Modern Revival and the New Zealand Screen Awards
After a hiatus in 2015 and 2016 due to a lack of released films, the Moas returned in February 2017. Simultaneously, an independent group of industry professionals revived the New Zealand Television Awards in November 2017, covering an eligibility period that stretched back to June 2015.
The most recent evolution occurred in 2025 with the launch of the New Zealand Screen Awards. This rebranded entity combines film and television to recognize content across theatrical releases, broadcast television, streaming services, and digital platforms.
Key Facts
- First Awards: National TV Awards (1964–1965).
- Notable Failure: The 1987 GOFTA Awards were marked by audience heckling and poor management.
- The "Moas": An unofficial film award started by Ant Timpson and Hugh Sundae.
- Current State: As of 2025, the New Zealand Screen Awards unify theatrical, broadcast, and digital content.
- Music Recognition: APRA introduced dedicated film and series music awards in 2014.
| Period | Award Name | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1964–1965 | National TV Awards | Television |
| 1970–1985 | New Zealand Feltex Awards | Television |
| 1986–2003 | GOFTA Awards | Film & Television |
| 2005–2011 | Qantas Awards (Various) | Film, TV & Journalism |
| 2012–2013 | The Moas / Rialto Channel Awards | Film (primarily) |
| 2017–Present | NZ Television Awards / NZ Screen Awards | Unified Screen Content |
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the Moas?
The Moas, officially known as the Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards (and later the Rialto Channel New Zealand Film Awards), were an independent alternative to the official awards, organized by Ant Timpson and Hugh Sundae.
Why were there no film awards in 2015 and 2016?
Organizers stated that there were not enough films released during those years to justify holding a formal awards ceremony.
Who manages the New Zealand Screen Awards as of 2025?
The New Zealand Screen Awards serve as a combined rebranding to recognize content across theatrical, broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.
What happened to the GOFTA Awards?
The GOFTA Awards ran from 1986 to 2003, initially as joint film and television awards before splitting into two separate ceremonies in 2000.
How did APRA contribute to screen awards?
In 2014, the Australasian Performing Right Association introduced the APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award and the APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award to its Silver Scroll Awards.