New Zealand – Natural History New Zealand Ltd (NHNZ), a major global producer of factual television creating original content for National Geographic Channels, Discovery Channels, Smithsonian Channel, A&E Television Networks, 3net and NHK, has been awarded the 2012 Outstanding Contribution to the NZ Documentary Industry Award by The Documentary New Zealand Trust.

The award – the biggest accolade presented during the Documentary Edge Forum Gala event – is recognition of NHNZ’s work, the employment opportunities it offers, the filmmaker-training NHNZ has developed with the University of Otago, and the company’s established international reputation.

In a statement, NHNZ CEO Michael Stedman commented, “For all of us here at NHNZ, New Zealand awards are very special and all the more so when they are given by the film and television industry. It is also wonderful to have our work with Otago University recognised. Fostering and growing a new generation of young documentary makers over the last decade has been very rewarding, not only for me personally but also for our company as a whole – with many of the graduates now working for us on international and local productions.”

The Documentary New Zealand Trust is a non-profit organisation that promotes documentary filmmaking and advocates opportunities for New Zealand documentary filmmakers. It hosts the Documentary Edge Festival and the Documentary Edge Forum, an annual Film, TV and All Media industry event focused on innovative ways to create and fund screen production.