What to Watch

Sam Kelway, TVNZ reporter

I recently watched The Panthers on TVNZ OnDemand. It’s set in Auckland 1974 and follows a
group of Polynesian students as they fight for equality in the face of racial-targeting – leading
to The Dawn Raids, which the Government has recently apologised for. It’s six episodes and will
make you laugh, and cry.

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Josie Steenhart, journalist and  Our Place regular

Mine comes in the form of two "hot tips" on viewing some really good stuff for free. Firstly, beamafilm.com, which is available for anyone in New Zealand with a library card and is an absolute wealth of great movies, docos and TV shows. Some recommendations are Bill Cunningham: New York, Lion and The September Issue but there are honestly SO MANY goodies! Also specifically for the documentary fans, Doc Play are offering a special lockdown deal where you can get 60 days of free viewing: https://www.docplay.com/discount/MADNZLOCKDOWN60. Apparently they're putting Florian Habicht's James & Isey up this week, which I  saw at the cinema recently and absolutely loved.

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Sam Cummins, Our Place columnist

Country Calendar on TVNZ OnDemand. Aotearoa's longest running and best show. Connect to the whenua without getting any dirt under your nails, learn the difference between a drench and a dip, and find out about our food chain.

Watching people work while you relax is perhaps the most relaxing thing ever. Plus, banjo!!

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James Wilson, Manager: Arts & Culture, Tauranga City Council

Silo Theatre have a great audio show that can be enjoyed while taking a level 4 approved walk in your neighbourhood. It's called Mauri Tau and is a beautifully uplifting piece written by Scotty Cotter. Takes about 45 minutes and is a great way to clear your head and think about the bigger picture whilst we are in lockdown- https://silotheatre.co.nz/show/mauri-tau

Podcast recommendation: The Drop Out. Plays like a Hollywood thriller – the incredible story of how Elizabeth Holmes fooled the medical world into believing that her company Theranos could change healthcare overnight, all with just one drop of blood.

TVNZ OnDemand: Our two year old is obsessed with Bluey. This upbeat, bite-sized show about the adventures of Bluey and Bingo the Blue Heelers is a big hit in our house. In a time of uncertainty, sometimes Bluey is just the right level for me to watch as you wind down for the day.

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Sonya Korohina, Supercut Projects

I have been indulging in French real estate porn – The Parisian Agency: Exclusive Properties. Unlike
LA-style equivalent shows, luxury real estate in Paris is simultaneously homely,  glamorous and ultra chic. The show follows the handsome Kretz family, who are as charming and 'real' as their interesting clients and the properties they sell.

Equally beautiful, but dark and unsettling is The White Lotus. A group of wealthy strangers arrive at
a holiday resort in Hawaii. The show follows the guests and the staff that serve them. As each episode unfolds they are shaken together into a bitter cocktail of colonialism, privilege and fate. And yes someone dies...

Also CITY ART WALK can be accessed online or the app can be downloaded for free. Discover Tauranga artworks and the stories behind them from the comfort of your couch. And the kids can
join in too, with activities online for each artwork.