New Zealand Dominates Children’s Emmys with Local Productions

New Zealand’s screen industry achieved significant recognition at the 4th Children’s & Family Emmy Awards, with local productions excelling in both nominations and wins. The family fantasy drama Secrets at Red Rocks, filmed along the rugged south coast of Wellington, received an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Live Action Program. The series garnered a total of three nominations, including Outstanding Writing for a Preschool or Children’s Program awarded to Martha Hardy-Ward and Outstanding Editing for a Preschool or Children’s Live Action Program recognized for Alex Boyd.

The award for music went to Wellington-based composers Stephen Gallagher and David Long, marking a pivotal moment for both the production and Wellington’s burgeoning reputation as a centre for ambitious family television. Based on the novel by Rachael King, Secrets at Red Rocks transports viewers to a mystical world where a grieving boy discovers a hidden colony of seals, linking local myth and landscape in a narrative that resonates well beyond Aotearoa.

In addition to Secrets at Red Rocks, other New Zealand-connected productions also garnered accolades at this year’s Emmy Awards. Netflix’s Sweet Tooth, filmed in New Zealand, received an impressive 14 nominations, surpassing even Sesame Street and becoming the second-highest nominated series overall. Ultimately, it won four awards, including Outstanding Supporting Performer for Nonso Anozie as Tommy Jepperd, Outstanding Younger Performer for Christian Convery as Gus, Outstanding Stunt Coordination for Steve McQuillan, and Outstanding Cinematography and Technical Arts for Dave Garbett.

The series also featured notable performances by New Zealand-American actor Stefania LaVie Owen and Kiwi singer-songwriter Marlon Williams.

Another highlight of the evening was Time Bandits, a series created by Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, and Britain’s Iain Morris, which received seven nominations. Shot in Wellington, the series showcased local talent both in front of and behind the camera, including comedian and actor Melanie Bracewell, who contributed to the writing of an episode.

The success of these productions underscores New Zealand’s growing influence in the global screen industry, particularly in the realm of family-oriented content. With its stunning landscapes and rich storytelling traditions, the country continues to attract international attention and acclaim, further solidifying its position in the competitive world of television and film.