Ourselves in Primetime

This is the first study of homegrown television drama, covering its development in all genres from 1960 to the present day and treating landmark programmes in detail. Dunleavy addresses the difficulties, practical, creative, economic and political, that have faced the production of TV drama in a small country, revealing how policy toward local content was part of a wider picture. She also believes that it is only through telling our own stories that we can know ourselves and shows how TV drama has reflected changes in ideas about 'cultural identity' and New Zealand society. While there are disappointments and frustrations in this history there are also triumphs and much evidence of talent. The book, written in a clear and lively style, is based on a thorough knowledge of the industry and on many interviews with participants. It provides a fascinating and illuminating angle on arts policy and on the interplay between state and private enterprise in this key aspect of the media over nearly half a century.