NHNZ

Dunedin-based NHNZ, one of New Zealand's seminal film and documentary makers, has been sold by its multi-national owner to a leading Australian television executive.

When NHNZ shot its first episode of I Survived, no-one at the Dunedin-based production house dreamt it would be one of the more popular shows in the United States.

Dunedin-based film-maker NHNZ booked a roughly three-fold profit increase to $3.1 million in its full year to June 2011, underpinned by programme sales and licensing revenue up almost $6 million.

Flaming hands, frozen sheep brains and exploding balloons feature in the latest advanced still and moving footage from Dunedin, likely to be seen around the world.

NHNZ is working with a Korean company to develop cost-effective software able to turn high-definition television into 3-D programmes.

A partnership between two Dunedin-based heavyweights could have "huge" commercial potential, its backers say.

A Dunedin computer-game company has collaborated with National Geographic to produce an app for smart phone and tablet computer devices. It was released last month.

For the past decade the University of Otago has collaborated with NHNZ in a documentary film-making venture that, at its core, strives to produce good storytellers. Shane Gilchrist reports.

Dunedin-based company NHNZ is putting the natural history back into New Zealand television with a new series on the country's national parks.

NHNZ has been used by one of the world's largest video game companies.