TVNZ CELEBRATES TRIBUTE08: A VIETNAM COMMEMORATION
First on TVNZ 7 - 31 May at 10.10am
TVNZ is bringing viewers live and extended coverage of this weekend’s milestone event Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration. Tribute08 will recognise the contribution and sacrifices of New Zealand’s Vietnam War veterans and their families at a commemoration and reunion event in Wellington.
TVNZ’s Head of Television, Jeff Latch, says that supporting events of national significance is an important part of TVNZ’s position as New Zealand’s public broadcaster.
“TVNZ is pleased to partner with Tribute08 to give all New Zealanders the opportunity to share in this weekend’s ceremonies and events, to honour the New Zealanders who served in the Vietnam War. Tribute08 is important to help New Zealanders understand their history.
“The live broadcast on TVNZ 7, and the highlights programme on TV ONE, will not only provide coverage of the weekend’s events, but will bring to life some of the personal stories of the people who served in the war, and the impacts of that on their families.”
Tribute08 chairman Chris Mullane is delighted to have TVNZ’s support for Tribute08.
“Tribute08 is a significant and valuable event for New Zealand as a nation. It is fantastic that our national broadcaster is supporting this weekend’s celebrations, and making it possible for those Vietnam veterans who can’t make the trip to Wellington to still be a part of the commemorations.”
Mullane strongly believes it will help the ongoing healing process for all participants, and New Zealand as a nation.
"I believe veterans want their story told. It is a unique story. Tribute08 is about getting that story out there."
TVNZ 7, TVNZ’s factual digital channel launched on 31 March this year, will provide live coverage of Saturday’s events with Tribute08 LIVE. Commencing at 10.10am, the coverage will include footage of The Honour March where veterans will march from Wellington's Civic Square to Parliament, and the Whakanoa (healing) ceremony inside Parliament Grounds which includes a Parliamentary Welcome and special ceremony acknowledging the New Zealanders who gave their lives in Vietnam.This live coverage will be interspersed with pre-recorded 'real life' stories of people who were involved in, and affected by, the Vietnam War.
On Monday 2 June at 12.30pm, TV ONE screens Tribute08: Out From The Darkness. Hosted by Mark Sainsbury, this provides highlights of the weekend's events, background about the Vietnam War, and tales of the Vietnam War veterans' own experiences and fight for recognition, told by the veterans themselves and their families. This programme will also feature part of the official welcome ceremony, as well as footage of the veterans and their families at the informal reunions being held around Wellington; highlights from the Vietnam-era concert, the Memorial Service at the National War Memorial, and the official commemoration and celebration at the Basin Reserve on Sunday. Tribute08: Out From The Darkness also screens on TVNZ 7 Monday night at 10.10pm, and Tuesday morning at 1.10pm.
TVNZ will stream Tribute08: LIVE online to residents in Australasia via the TVNZ website tvnz.co.nz. Both Tribute08: LIVE and Tribute08: Out From The Darkness will be available to view at tvnzondemand.co.nz.
For further information, or interview requests, please contact:
Bridget Carnachan
TVNZ Digital Publicist
021414214
Melanya Burrows
TV ONE Senior Publicist
0274774998
NZ VIEWS
Doco of the Week: Jungle Rain First on Tuesday 27 May at 9.10pm
Jungle Rain is a history of experience versus opinion, of a foreign war making for a foreign homecoming, and of a nation's responsibility to its soldiers. It's the story of the three and a half thousand men who changed the course of New Zealand's future. Jungle Rain screens first on Tuesday 27 May at 9.10pm.
The Vietnam War provoked emotions and issues in the 1960's that are still relevant today.
Jungle Rain reveals how public opinion about New Zealand's involvement in Vietnam changed from support to derision; and how the United States gave the Holyoake Government a virtual trade bribe for our country's involvement. It looks at the unpopular legacy of Vietnam as it continued to haunt the soldiers who were initially ostracised, and even cursed, when it was proved that they could have serious or terminal illnesses from their service.
This documentary looks at Agent Orange, one of the four main chemical defoliants used by the American forces during Vietnam, and the ramifications of it on the health of the Vietnam Vets and their families.
Filmed prior to the Government's official apology to Vietnam Vets and their families, Jungle Rain tells the story of the New Zealand Vietnam Veteran, and provides background to this week's Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration.
Jungle Rain also screens on Wednesday 28 May at 12.10pm, Thursday 29 May at 9.10pm, and Friday 30 May at 12.10pm.
MADE IN NZ
The Shadow of Vietnam First on Friday 30 May at 10.10pm
When New Zealand troops returned from Vietnam, they came back to an angry public who were protesting the involvement of New Zealand. This week's Made In NZ features The Shadow of Vietnam, screening first on Friday 30 May at 10.10pm.
Exhausted, physically and mentally scarred, the returning troops were told to get out of uniform as soon as possible and not to tell anyone where they had been. Despised and ignored, the Vietnam veterans never received the public acknowledgement that had been given to soldiers from all other wars.
As the people of New Zealand tried to forget they had taken part in the conflict, the nation's experience of the war came from the American or Australian perspective while the Kiwi soldiers remained silent.
Using original film footage shot by the soldiers themselves during their tour of duty, this documentary powerfully captures the emotion of the war and mood of the times. Through painful memories and with tears and laughter, the veterans tell their stories for the first time on film about a forgotten chapter of the legacy of the Vietnam War.
This documentary provides an insight into the human response to the Vietnam conflict, and New Zealand's involvement in it, providing interesting background to this week's Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration.
TVNZ 7 SPECIAL
Tribute08 LIVE Saturday 31 May at 10.10am
Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration is set to be a hugely significant event not only for Vietnam Veterans but also their families, the wider Veteran community, and New Zealand as a whole. The event will commemorate those who served in Vietnam and will be a reunion for many Vets. TVNZ 7 will screen Tribute08 LIVE, a live broadcast of part of the commemorations on Saturday 31 May, commencing at 10.10am, hosted by Mark Sainsbury with commentators Paul Diamond (leader of the Vietnam War Oral History Project) and Ian McGibbon (Ministry of Culture and Heritage's historian and General Editor of War History).
The healing process for the Vietnam Vets began with Parade '98 in 1998 and will continue at Tribute08. Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration is a unique opportunity to honour veterans and their families' contribution to New Zealand, and TVNZ 7 is delighted to bring live coverage of this milestone in New Zealand's history.
Tribute08 LIVE on TVNZ 7 will include The Honour March where Veterans will march from Wellington's Civic Square to Parliament, and the very special Whakanoa ceremony inside Parliament Grounds.
This live coverage will be interspersed with pre-recorded 'real life' stories of people who were involved in, and affected by, the Vietnam War.
These include the story of Gael Keighley. Gael was the young wife of air force medic Gordon Watt. Gordon was killed by a landmine in Vietnam in March 1970. Gael will be marching at Tribute 08 (along with Gordon's youngest son - Darryl) and carrying his photo alongside 36 other families who lost loved ones in Vietnam.
The broadcast also contains the story of Patrick Duggan from Christchurch. He had two separate tours of duty to Vietnam (the first in 1966/67 and the second 1970/71). Within the programme Patrick goes back to Nui Dat (where the Australians and New Zealanders were based), he talks about how - as a young 19 year old soldier - he reacted to the experiences of war including the infamous Battle of Long Tan where 14 Australians died when they came under attack by North Vietnamese battalions.
TVNZ 7 SPECIAL WEEK
Tribute08: a Vietnam Commemoration Saturday 31 May to Friday 6 June, 2008
This week, and in the days preceeding it, TVNZ 7 celebrates Tribute08: A Vietnam Commemoration. There are a number of scheduled programmes, as well as interstitials, that will give TVNZ 7 viewers background information to the Vietnam War as well as coverage of the Tribute08 commemoration events. TVNZ 7 will help viewers form their perspectives about New Zealand's involvement in the Vietnam War and its impact on New Zealand's history.
Tribute08 will be a commemoration and reunion event for all New Zealand Vietnam Veterans and their families. Veterans from other forces who served in Vietnam will also attend in 2008. This event will be of national significance with an international perspective and interest.
Meeting old mates and sharing memories will be a highlight of the weekend, particularly at the Family Gatherings and sub unit Family Reunions. It will also be a very special time for the families of Vietnam veterans. Exhibitions and displays will widen the overall experience and engage the general public.
Event organiser John Dow has no illusions about the challenges facing the team organising Tribute08, and strongly believes it will be a significant and valuable event for all participants, and New Zealand as a nation.
"I believe Veterans embrace that and want the story told. It is a unique story. Tribute08 is about getting that story out there."
TVNZ 7 SPECIAL
Tribute08: Out From The Darkness First screens Monday 2 June at 10.10pm
On Monday 2 June, TV ONE will screen special programme Tribute08: Out From The Darkness at 12.30pm. A cut-down version of this will screen on TVNZ 7 first on Monday 2 June at 10.10pm.
This programme on TVNZ 7 will include a cut-down of the live broadcast together with footage shot at the official welcome, at various pubs on the Friday night before the event as people get together over a few beers, songs at the Vietnam era concert on the Saturday night, as well as the Memorial Service on the Sunday at the National War Memorial, and the march down Buckle Street to the Basin Reserve.
Tribute08: Out From The Darkness also screens on Tuesday 3 June at 9.10pm and 1.10pm.
