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Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says he is shocked by the sudden death of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell over the weekend.

Dr Coleman today offered his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Mr Cottrell, who died yesterday in Wellington.

‘’Phillip was clearly a well liked person held in high professional regard,’’ says Dr Coleman.

Today marks one year before New Zealand starts making the full switch to digital television in stages, and viewers who are not already watching digital should start planning their switch now, says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Hawke’s Bay and West Coast will be the first regions to farewell the old analogue signal on 30 September 2012. In both regions eight out of 10 households have already gone digital.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Susana Lei’ataua to the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT) board.

Ms Lei’ataua, a former Fulbright Senior Scholar and visiting scholar at New York University, runs a Wellington-based communications firm. Her board appointment is for three years.

‘’Susana’s journalism experience in radio, television and print, and her wider strategic communications work with both government agencies and NGOs will strengthen the board,’’ says Dr Coleman.

NZ On Air’s Platinum Fund continues to support quality television programming that Kiwis love to watch, says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Over two million viewers watched four locally-made dramas which screened on TV One’s Sunday drama season recently – Billy, Tangiwai: A Love Story, Bliss and Rage.

The $15 million Platinum Fund was established by the Government in 2009 to support high quality locally-made programming. It took the TVNZ Charter funding and made it available to all producers and free-to-air channels.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Ross McRobie to the board of New Zealand On Air.

Mr McRobie was formerly General Manager of the Radio Network in Christchurch for over a decade.

‘’Ross’s extensive knowledge of radio, business management and his wider business interests will add a useful perspective to the board,’’ says Dr Coleman.

Free-to-air high definition digital television, also known as Freeview|HD, is now available to an additional 160,000 homes in time for the Rugby World Cup, Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

The existing digital terrestrial television (DTT) service has now been extended to homes in Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, Whanganui, New Plymouth, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill.

The dual mandate which shackled Television New Zealand (TVNZ) has been removed following the third reading of the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill tonight, says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

‘’The Bill replaces the current TVNZ charter with a less prescriptive list of functions and leaves the state broadcaster free to concentrate on being a successful television company without the constraints of an unrealistic dual mandate,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Barrie Saunders to the board of Television New Zealand.

Mr Saunders, a co-founder of Wellington government relations firm Saunders Unsworth, has been appointed for three years.

‘’Barrie’s knowledge of New Zealand’s economic landscape is extensive and his business experience and ability to deal with a wide range of issues are good attributes for the board,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Pacific radio stations Niu FM and 531pi are relocating to new studios in South Auckland, Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman announced today.

Dr Coleman confirmed the National Pacific Radio Trust has secured a special $725,000 grant from NZ On Air to move from its dated Ponsonby premises to the heart of the Pacific community in Manukau.

The final dates for New Zealand television going digital were announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

Confirming the timetable for the biggest change to television broadcasting since the introduction of colour gives certainty to viewers who are yet to go digital, says Dr Coleman.

‘’We’re planning for the start of a fully digital TV age where New Zealanders can enjoy better pictures and sound, more choice and benefits such as onscreen television guides,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu today welcomed the opening of the new Pacific Media Network studio in Wellington, and in collaboration with Whitireia Journalism School.

The studio expands the Pacific Radio Network with Niu FM now broadcasting across the Wellington region.

‘’Niu FM’s foray into the Capital increases the reach of Pacific language programming and news to Pacific communities which helps many people stay connected with their culture and identity,’’ Dr Coleman says.

An $850,000 assistance package to help regional television broadcasters make the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting was announced today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

NZ On Air will administer the package which provides up to $70,000 per regional broadcaster for equipment and other costs. Digital switchover will be completed in stages across New Zealand by November 2013.

‘’The package recognises the contribution that regional broadcasters make to their local communities,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today welcomed the launch of NZ On Air’s new funding programme which will support a greater range of New Zealand music.

The Making Tracks scheme will contribute $2 million a year towards funding 200 single track recordings and 200 music videos a year. It replaces three previous funding schemes that were album based and funded 50 recording projects and 170 music videos a year. Making Tracks opens for applications in June.

I move, That the Television New Zealand Amendment Bill be now read a second time.

 Purpose of the bill

 In brief this bill amends the Television New Zealand Act 2003, in line with this Government’s wish to replace the current TVNZ charter with a less prescriptive list of functions and to leave TVNZ to concentrate on being a successful television broadcaster without the shackle of an unrealistic dual mandate.

The spotlight’s back on New Zealand music with the launch today of New Zealand Music Month says Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

‘’New Zealand Music Month is in its 11th year, and over that period home-grown music has gone from strength to strength. NZ On Air’s contribution to funding locally produced music has helped put more New Zealand music on our airwaves,’’ Dr Coleman says.

A nationwide search to find the oldest working television in New Zealand was launched today by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman.

The Oldest Telly competition, part of a Going Digital campaign to raise awareness of the switchover to digital television, encourages New Zealanders to rummage through their homes and garages for their oldest TV set.

The winning entry will then be converted to digital TV next month ahead of the first switchover in Hawke’s Bay and West Coast in September 2012.

Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee and Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman paid tribute to Canterbury Television (CTV) which restarts broadcasting today, less than two months after the February earthquake devastated the regional broadcaster.

"The return of CTV to our screens marks a significant point in the recovery process for Canterbury after the tragic events of 22 February," Mr Brownlee says.

"What better way to honour the lives of those people lost from the company than to continue the work they were so much a part of," he says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Richard Griffin as chair of the Radio New Zealand (RNZ) board.

Mr Griffin, a director of a Wellington public affairs company and a former RNZ political editor, was appointed to the board in May 2010. He replaces Christine Grice.

‘’Richard’s added real value to the board since joining and has the ideal background and experience to chair RNZ,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced free-to-air high definition digital television, also known as Freeview|HD, will be available by UHF aerial to an extra 160,000 homes in time for the Rugby World Cup.

The Government is extending the existing digital terrestrial television (DTT) service to Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru and Invercargill.

Health Minister Tony Ryall and Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman have congratulated New Zealand broadcasters for voluntarily extending the restrictions on advertising to children.

Mr Ryall says, "The updated booklet, Getting it Right For Children, confirms restrictions on when ads for children can be screened, and includes restrictions on advertising children's foods.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Uluomatootua Saulaulu Aiono as chair of the National Pacific Radio Trust (NPRT) board.

Mr Aiono, an Auckland businessman, chairs the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce and is a council member of the Auckland University of Technology. He is also a member of the Auckland Regional Economic Development Forum. Mr Aiono was appointed NPRT chair for two and a half years.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of professional company director Wayne Walden and business consultant Alison Gerry to the board of Television New Zealand (TVNZ).

Dr Coleman also confirmed that Sir John Anderson, who was appointed chair in 2006, has been retained as chair for another year from 1 May. Mr Walden and Ms Gerry were both appointed for three years.

‘’Wayne and Alison bring skill sets that will add to the existing expertise of the board,’’ Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the appointment of Te Raumawhitu (Te Rau) Kupenga to the Broadcasting Standards Authority board.

Mr Kupenga has been appointed for three years. He has a legal background and is currently an iwi consultant working with Ngati Porou. He also held senior positions in the Office of the Maori Trustee and recently was a regular panellist on a lifestyle television show.

‘’Te Rau’s legal experience will add a valuable perspective to the Broadcasting Standards Authority”, Dr Coleman says.

Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman today announced the reappointment of Michael Glading to the board of NZ On Air.

Mr Glading has served one term on NZ On Air and was reappointed for two years from 1 January 2011.

“Michael has a 30 year career in music and sports management and has worked with a variety of musicians and sportspeople ranging from Yulia to Sir Bob Charles. His wide set of skills and industry experience will continue to add value to the board,” Dr Coleman says.