Television New Zealand (TVNZ) has donated live broadcasting kits to three TV stations in the Pacific. Air New Zealand provided free seats for TVNZ staff to transport the equipment and train staff at the stations in Tonga, Samoa and the Cook Islands.
TVNZ has recently replaced the equipment as a result of the migration to digital TV. TVNZ’s Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver said the mission was incredibly exciting and emotional for all concerned. “They were unbelievably thrilled to have the gear, and very nervous at first. But they did a beautiful job and put their new skills to work immediately in some important breaking stories,” Ms Dreaver said.
“While we were there the Tonga Broadcasting Commission ran their news live twice, with two live crosses on a by-election and one warning the public about the oncoming Cyclone Rene. And Cook Islands Television broke into its programme to bring updates from the Police Emergency Operations Centre about developing tropical depressions and the impact of Cyclone Pat on the northern Cook Islands.”
TVNZ’s Live News manager, Russell Jones, said all the equipment was in good working order and its installation had been a great success.
(Source: Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)
