Mastermind's original New Zealand host, the late Peter Sinclair. (Herald archive)
The quiz show Mastermind is returning.
New Zealand On Air has announced a new series of the show to screen in primetime on Television New Zealand will get $685,360 funding as part of its backing for a new raft of arts and culture programmes.
As well as their own specialist
subjects, contestants will have to answer "New Zealand knowledge" questions, says NZOA, a change from the wider general knowledge questions asked in past seasons of the show.
Mastermind, an adaptation of a a BBC format, first began on New Zealand screens in 1976 and ran until 1991 and was presented by the late Peter Sinclair.
Specialist subjects chosen back then ranged from David Bowie to Shakespeare to Winnie the Pooh to tantric yoga to sulphuric acid production.
As Sinclair, who was also the quizmaster on University Challenge, told The Listenener in 1981: "Imagine questioning someone about sulphuric acid production in New Zealand. It's a strange programme to host and it's odd that it should be so compelling. I mean, I did win some quiz prizes during my school days but sulphuric acid production?"
