
Kora Releases Sun Soaked New Single ‘Easy Now (Final Season)'
With new album single, 'Easy Now (Final Season)', Kora delivers a sun-soaked dub reggae tune that feels like a deep exhale. Built on warm basslines, lush guitar layers, and blissed-out grooves, it's a timely reminder to lean into life's natural pace, and embrace change as journey towards our final season
Listen 'Easy Now (Final Season)' thanks to the the support of NZ On Air.
Fifth Season showcases the dynamic range of Kora from the funky, upbeat rhythms of ' Dancing in the Rain ', to the broken-hearted power ballad ' Gone'. ' Falling For You ' taps into the unmistakable Minneapolis sound, and Revolution ' (featuring brother Laughton Kora) is a compelling reggae anthem for 2025 that cuts right to the heart of political accountability. 'Revolution' rides on a buoyant groove, driven by punchy guitar skanks, a bass-heavy groove and soulful vocals, making it as danceable as it is politically charged.
Pre-save / Pre-order Fifth Season D igitally and on Vinyl.
The Fifth Season Album Release Tour sees the band hitting the road for a run of unmissable headline shows across the country.
Kicking off in Hamilton at The Factory on Friday 20 September, followed by a night at Auckland's iconic Powerstation on Friday 3 October, before wrapping up in the capital at Wellington's newest venue, Meow Nui, on Saturday 11 October.
Tickets for all dates on sale now from https://kora.nz/
Known as one of Aotearoa's most powerful and dynamic acts fusing elements of roots, reggae, funk, rock, dub, and electronic music into a sonic identity that is entirely their own. Kora's music is heavy and melodic and grounded in kaupapa Māori, driven by innovation, storytelling, and groove.
Their breakout hits ' Politician ', 'Burning', and ' On My Mind ' propelled Kora to the top of the charts, with their debut album going double Platinum and Light Years cementing their status as innovators. Recent singles like ' Secret Lover ', ' Weekend ', ' Dancing In The Rain', and ' Gone ' have kept Kora's sound fresh and their fanbase growing, blending bass-heavy grooves with soulful hooks and sharp production.
The current live ensemble, consists of core members Fran and Stu Kora, Dan McGruer and Richie Allan, along with new additions Darren Mathiassen (Trinity Roots, Shapeshifter) on drums, Marika Hodgson (Hollie Smith, Troy Kingi, Alae) on bass, and Karlos Tunks (Troy Kingi, MMQ) on rhythm guitar and BVs.
Long renowned for their explosive live shows, Kora remain one of Aotearoa's most formidable headline acts on stage, wowing crowds at the likes of The Big Day Out, Rhythm & Vines, Rhythm & Alps, One Love, Synthony In The Domain, Electric Avenue, Homegrown, and Splore.
Their performances bring together heavy bass, soaring vocals, and raw energy, blending musical mastery with raw power to create an immersive experience. Whether headlining major festivals or packing out venues around Aotearoa, Kora's ability to move a crowd is unmatched.
01 – Revolution
02 – Dancing In The Rain
03 – U Wanna Give This Up
04 – Gone
05 – Wrong
06 – Sandbox
07 – Falling For You
08 – Bull Rush
09 – Easy Now (Final Season)
10 – Azza
Pre-save / Pre-order Fifth Season D igitally and on Vinyl.
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The Spinoff
3 days ago
- The Spinoff
Why is NZ On Air suddenly funding reality television?
NZ On Air is funding new seasons of Celebrity Treasure Island and The Traitors NZ – but how do these reality shows reflect who we are? Get in here you lot, because yesterday, NZ On Air announced its Round Tahi 2025 Non-Fiction Funding Decisions. It's big news for those of us who love documentaries, factual series and podcasts, but it's even bigger news if you like reality TV. The three biggest funding beneficiaries were comedy panel show 7 Days ($1,493,313), and reality TV shows The Traitors NZ ($1,436,911) and Celebrity Treasure Island ($1,349,000). While 7 Days is an NZOA funding mainstay, it marks the first time that CTI and The Traitors NZ have received NZ On Air funding. The decision comes as the New Zealand television industry remains in more turmoil than Dame Susan Devoy after a crayfish dinner. TVNZ expects a $49m loss, Sky bought an entire TV channel for a buck and a year ago, it looked like local reality TV might be gone forever. 'The challenging media environment has required a response from NZ On Air, as local platforms have been clear they can no longer afford to commercially fund the local content they previously could,' the funding announcement reads. 'This is impacting the volume of local stories available for New Zealand audiences, and work in the local production sector.' This round, NZ On Air prioritised large-scale non-fiction programmes (with significant co-investment) and committed $12.6 million to a variety of projects. 'We're supporting content with demonstrated audience appeal and cultural relevance,' NZ On Air chief executive Cameron Harland said. 'Shows that help define who we are as New Zealanders. Rather than waiting for market conditions to improve, we're taking action to ensure local content not only survives but flourishes.' On the surface, Celebrity Treasure Island is a foolish reality series where famous people act like silly duffers, but what could be more culturally relevant and defining than watching 71 year-old activist Tāme Iti give a moving pep talk to young comedian James Mustapic, or witnessing actor Gaby Solomona help MP Carmel Sepuloni stay in the fight with a quiet rendition of a traditional Samoan song? Beneath the self-deprecating nature and goofy charity challenges, the series frequently transcends to something beyond just empty entertainment, capturing insightful moments that are uniquely us. As the seasons have progressed, Celebrity Treasure Island has also championed te reo Māori in everyday conversations (regularly using phrases like tīmata and hopuni, as well as the castaways meeting with local iwi to learn the history and cultural significance of the area and share kai). And between the bonkers challenges and silly, silly game play, the show encourages gentle discussions about complex issues like ageism, sexism and queer politics, all on primetime mainstream television. While CTI is a homegrown format, the decision to fund season three of The Traitors NZ could be deemed even more controversial as an overseas franchise import, even if season two was the best reality TV show we've ever made. But it's also one of the few shows left on television that features a cast of everyday New Zealanders, from a clairvoyant to a funeral director to an MMA fighter, and captures the quirks and eccentricities of an unlikely mix of New Zealanders all sharing the same screen. 'It's less of a reality TV show and more an insight into the complexities of the human condition,' we wrote in 2024, praising The Traitor NZ's diverse casting and sense of humour. If you're not a reality TV fan, don't panic – there are also shows that won't feature Gary Freeman wearing a big hat. Along with these two reality TV juggernauts, NZ On Air's latest non-fiction round also includes documentaries such as Songs of Protest, South to the South: The Pacific In Te Waipounamu, and You, Me and Menopause, plus a return season of our own Bryn & Ku's Single's Club. There's also coverage of the Milan Winter Paralympics in March 2026, the return of familiar favourites Country Calendar and My House, My Castle, as well as new shows like coastline safety series Pacific Heat and Celebrity Escape, which sees eight comedians take on an escape room. Just as the nature of broadcast television is changing, it seems the way we need to consider what makes for 'local stories' must also evolve. Not all reality TV is of the sordid, salacious and problematic kind, and CTI and The Traitors NZ are filled with our voices and our humour, in ways you won't find on other reality shows. The genre can even be a place for moments of groundbreaking representation, emotional revelations and heartwarming moments of magic. As for the magic of Celebrity Escape? We'll have to wait and see.


NZ Herald
3 days ago
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Reality bites - taxpayers help save popular shows The Traitors NZ, Celebrity Treasure Island; TVNZ board member Paul Henry set to host Three show
NZ on Air has today announced $1.47 million in funding for The Traitors NZ to screen on Three and $1.35m for Celebrity Treasure Island to screen on TVNZ. The 2021 cast of Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo / TVNZ It is the first time either show has received public funding from NZ on Air - The Traitors is into its third year and Celebrity Treasure Island will be shooting its seventh season. It is a significant shift in thinking from the funding agency, in that in recent years it has not gone anywhere near commercially successful reality TV shows, which draw hundreds of thousands of viewers. But with advertising revenue falling away in a sluggish economy - and huge digital disruption under way in the TV and production sector - the networks have told NZ on Air that the shows would have been ditched without public help. 'They absolutely did... they did say that - we have been in touch with them both,' NZ on Air chief executive Cameron Harland told Media Insider today. He said as local platforms continued to feel the effects of an advertising decline, NZ on Air was likely to receive more requests to fund previously commercially viable series. NZ on Air revealed it had received 41 applications for this funding round, seeking a total $24.3m. It has agreed to funding for 21 projects, committing $12.6m. 'We're required to ensure a range of local content is available to our audiences,' Harland said. 'In consultation with platforms in the production sector, we are willing to consider making a limited amount of funding available for these types of [reality TV] projects in future rounds. 'We did see this coming, and we put into our guidelines for Round Tahi, in acknowledgement of the difficult financial position local mainstream platforms are finding themselves in - we did agree to consider applications for reality series.' Ultimately, he said, both shows fulfilled NZ on Air's remit that it support projects which drew audiences. Harland said in both cases, NZ on Air's funding was a minority of the shows' budgets. 'They are still bringing money to the table and, of course, from our perspective, that does mean that we're able to spread our money a little bit more widely. There are some obvious ancillary benefits in terms of supporting the production sector and encouraging employment.' Paul Henry's talents across TVNZ and Three Paul Henry has hosted the first two season of The Traitors NZ. Production company South Pacific Pictures today welcomed the funding decision for The Traitors NZ as 'very good news'. South Pacific Pictures managing director Andrew Szusterman said NZ on Air's funding equated to less than 50% of the overall budget for the show. However, it helped ensure the green light for a third season of the show, which is based on an international format. New Zealand's previous two seasons have been successfully exported to the UK, US, Australia and Canada with both its host, Paul Henry, and the contestants seen as major factors in its success. Henry has just been appointed as a director of TVNZ - so will he be available to host The Traitors once again on rival network Three? 'Paul's keen to do it,' said Szusterman, while also adding there was no announcement today on would be host. However, it's clear SPP wants Henry. Szusterman said Henry was contracted to SPP and he saw no issues with him also being a TVNZ director. It was hardly a precedent, he said, with TVNZ broadcasters featuring in roles on rival commercial radio networks and vice versa. There had been no discussions with TVNZ at this stage. 'I would say that it shows a real maturity in the New Zealand market where we're not so hooked up on that kind of stuff,' said SPP chief executive Kelly Martin. 'We can't afford to say to people, you can only work on this network or that network. We're not big enough. 'He's on the [TVNZ] board, so if there are any issues, he can pick it up at a board meeting.' Both TVNZ and Henry have been approached for comment. The Traitors timeframe Suzsterman said a casting call for The Traitors NZ would be made this week, with filming to start in the South Island later this year. 'I think there are no secrets that - and it was signposted by Juliet [Three boss Juliet Peterson] last year, as well - that these shows are really expensive to make, and, with Three in its situation, it wasn't really looking at making those shows. 'So yes, we really did need New Zealand on Air to play its part.' Martin said: 'New Zealand on Air are really aware that if they weren't getting amongst this kind of stuff, it won't happen, and that's got a really negative effect on the industry overall. 'In this round, New Zealand on Air have done a very sensible and good job and they are looking at ways to get people working. 'I think this is an approach that is entirely suitable for the situation that we're currently in. Unless they support some of this stuff, then none of it is on air - we would be contracting significantly in the market generally.' Szusterman said many years ago, NZ on Air did support reality shows such as NZ's Got Talent and X Factor. 'These are popular shows that are watched by hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders - it's good value for money, it's entertaining New Zealanders. There is nothing wrong with it.' Meanwhile, a TVNZ spokeswoman told Media Insider that Celebrity Treasure Island would be filmed in New Zealand in summer. Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand's most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME. Watch Media Insider - The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.


Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Shortland Street Returns For 2026 - Thanks To NZ On Air
TVNZ and South Pacific Pictures are pleased to announce Shortland Street will return for its 2026 season, thanks to ongoing funding support from NZ On Air. NZ On Air funding, which was confirmed this morning, combined with eligibility for the Screen Production Rebate, will enable the continuation of New Zealand's longest-running drama in the new year. Shortland Street is one of the most recognisable and loved television programmes in Aotearoa. It provides immense cultural value on screen, while also offering a rich training ground for actors and crew behind the scenes. Shortland Street is a key pillar of the TVNZ 2 slate, but its dedicated rangatahi audience has placed it at the forefront of audience fragmentation. As one of TVNZ+'s most streamed programmes, Shorty fans are split across broadcast and digital platforms. With audiences migrating online, effort is underway to increase the digital revenue needed to support Shortland Street as a digital first content proposition. Prior to 2023, Shortland Street operated without funding support for 28 years. TVNZ and South Pacific Pictures are focusing on transitioning Shortland Street to a commercially funded, digitally delivered show and NZ On Air's funding provides a crucial pathway towards making that ambition a reality. TVNZ's Chief Executive, Jodi O'Donnell says, 'We're extremely grateful for NZ On Air's support in helping us keep this taonga on screen. Our audiences love Shorty and NZ On Air's funding ensures we can continue to bring this iconic drama to viewers in 2026 while we work through its digital transition.' South Pacific Pictures Chief Executive, Kelly Martin says ' Shortland Street continues to entertain NZ audiences with its diverse and relatable stories, and it continues to play a crucial role in the NZ production sector, providing consistent employment and fostering local talent. We are incredibly thankful to both TVNZ and NZ On Air for their support.'