Children's television show What Now? is returning to Christchurch five years after it was moved to Lower Hutt.
Christchurch lost 100 jobs when Television New Zealand moved the show to its Avalon studios.
TVNZ announced this week that the programme would be produced by Janine Morrell and Jason Gunn of Christchurch-based Whitebait Productions from next year.
NZ On Air has allocated $2.5 million to the re-formatted programme.
Ms Morrell said the contract should provide about 30 local jobs and Whitebait would re-fit the old TVNZ studios in Gloucester St for the show.
Under the show's new format What Now? would also have a small Auckland-based operation. This would give the show easier access to guests and keep it in touch with a large part of its audience.
"We will have cameras out and about a lot more in smaller towns and rural areas and use webcams and text messages to involve children."
What Now? was first produced in Christchurch in 1982. Next year will be its 23rd season.
- NZPA
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