New Zealand’s Country Calendar Turns 60: Fans and Crew Celebrate
New Zealanders are spontaneously joining in the 60th birthday celebrations of the nation’s iconic rural programme, Country Calendar.
The programme was started by legendary rural broadcasters Tony Trotter, Fred Barnes and Frank Torley and has been on NZ television screens continuously for 60 years. It brings the heartland of NZ into the lounges of homes every Sunday night at 7pm, showing them the stunning beauty of the countryside and reminding them that nearly three quarters of our export dollars are earned by carefully managing our land, waterways and the oceans that surround us.
A major function was hosted by state farmer Pāmu (Landcorp), together with TVNZ, which attracted an eclectic group of more than 200 politicians, primary sector leaders and staff, and past and present filmmakers who have worked on or been associated with Country Calendar since its inception 60 years ago.
The present producer of Country Calendar, Dan Henry, says the key to its success over such a long period is its authenticity and making sure that the stories are about people, and that they are represented as honestly and authentically as possible.
"So, we are not setting this up too much and not asking them to say or do things they ordinarily wouldn't. It's about good, honest storytelling about people from the land, doing things that they are proud of," he told Rural News.
Henry says Country Calendar makes no apologies for leaning into making positive stories. He says on a Sunday night, viewers are craving something to feel good about and to take them into the working week feeling a bit optimistic and having pride in their fellow New Zealanders.
He says there are other outlets better placed to get into the rigorous debates, regulation or whatever it may be, but he adds people respond well to stories that make them feel good.
As for Henry - how does he feel?
"I love it. This is the best job in the business - working on a programme that is universally loved, still rates fantastically, draws large numbers of viewers and gets people talking. That is why I got into storytelling - that's why anyone makes television programmes," he says.
Editor's Note: Rural News journalist, Peter Burke, who wrote this story, worked on some of Country Calendar's offerings as a film editor in the 1960s.
