From the farm gate to the television screen, one of Aotearoa’s most beloved programmes is celebrating a remarkable milestone, with Country Calendar receiving the prestigious 2026 Screen Legend Award after six decades of telling the stories of rural New Zealand.
The iconic television series, which first aired on 6 March 1966, will be honoured at the New Zealand Screen Awards on Thursday 19 November, recognising its extraordinary contribution to New Zealand broadcasting.
Now in its 60th year, Country Calendar is the country’s longest-running television programme and remains one of its most popular.
Meanwhile, two Māori television productions are in the spotlight as Shiray and Gillies Kākā, alongside Turia Schmidt-Peke, compete for the publicly voted Screen Personality of the Year award.
FROM FARM GATES TO NATIONAL TREASURE
What began in 1966 as a short rural news and information programme for farmers has grown into a television institution that has documented the changing face of Aotearoa for generations.
From pioneering farmers and rural innovators to families working the whenua, fishing communities, forestry operations and food producers, Country Calendar has captured the people, landscapes and industries that have helped shape New Zealand.
Its distinctive storytelling style, stunning rural scenery and focus on everyday New Zealanders have made it a fixture in Kiwi households.
Producer Dan Henry says the programme’s longevity reflects its ability to connect audiences with authentic stories about people, families and communities.
While farming practices and rural life have changed enormously over the past six decades, the programme has maintained its focus on the resilience, innovation and determination of those who live and work beyond the country’s cities.
The series has also embraced New Zealand’s distinctive sense of humour, including memorable appearances by Fred Dagg and occasional moments of satire.
Over time, Country Calendar has become more than a programme about farming.
It has developed into a living record of New Zealand’s social, cultural and economic history.
ONLY THE SECOND PROGRAMME TO RECEIVE SCREEN LEGEND HONOUR
The 2026 Screen Legend Award places Country Calendar among a select group of television institutions recognised for their enduring contribution to the industry.
It is only the second television programme to receive the honour, following Shortland Street in 2019.
The series is also a finalist for Best Factual Series at this year’s awards.
The recognition comes as the programme celebrates 60 years of broadcasting, an achievement spanning enormous changes in television technology, viewing habits and New Zealand society.
Despite those changes, Country Calendar continues to attract loyal audiences and remains one of the country’s most recognisable television brands.
MĀORI SCREEN TALENT IN THE SPOTLIGHT
While Country Calendar celebrates its legacy, Māori screen personalities are among ten finalists competing for one of the industry’s most popular awards.
The 2026 Screen Personality of the Year award is decided entirely by public vote.
Among this year’s finalists are Shiray and Gillies Kākā, recognised for their work on Full Noise, broadcast on Whakaata Māori and Māori+.
Also nominated is Turia Schmidt-Peke, who features in Chat Her Up on Whakaata Māori and Māori+.
Their nominations highlight the contribution of Māori storytelling and television personalities to the wider New Zealand screen industry.
The public award has previously recognised prominent Māori broadcasters and entertainers, including Scotty Morrison, who won in 2025, and Bella Kalolo, who took out the honour in 2024.
WHO WILL BE NEW ZEALAND’S FAVOURITE SCREEN PERSONALITY?
The ten finalists for 2026 are:
- Rebecca Gibney – Happiness / Millionaire Hot Seat
- Shaun Johnson – Ford League Lounge with Shaun Johnson
- Ryan Bridge – Ryan Bridge Today
- Chris Chang – Breakfast / FIFA World Cup 2026
- Alex King – Shortland Street
- Shiray and Gillies Kākā – Full Noise
- David Correos – Taskmaster NZ / Celebrity Treasure Island
- Ganesh Raj – Eat Well For Less NZ
- Jackie Van Beek – Taskmaster NZ / Educators
- Turia Schmidt-Peke – Chat Her Up
The award recognises personalities who have connected with audiences through news, sport, drama, entertainment, comedy and lifestyle programming.
Previous winners also include Aesha Scott, Bree Tomasel, Nicola Adams, Hilary Barry, Matty McLean, Hayley Holt and Toni Street.
PUBLIC VOTING NOW OPEN
New Zealanders are being encouraged to support their favourite screen personality, with voting open until 11.59pm on Friday 13 November 2026.
The winner will be announced at the New Zealand Screen Awards ceremony on Thursday 19 November at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre.
The red-carpet gala will be hosted by Kate Rodger and will recognise achievements across New Zealand’s film and television industries.
For Māori audiences, the nominations provide another opportunity to celebrate the growing visibility of Māori talent and storytelling across national television.
And for Country Calendar, the Screen Legend Award recognises a remarkable 60-year journey that has brought the stories of rural Aotearoa into millions of New Zealand homes.
From the whenua to the screen, six decades of Kiwi storytelling are being celebrated — while a new generation of Māori television personalities looks to make its own mark on broadcasting history.
Vote for Screen Personality of the Year:
https://www.nzscreenawards.co.nz
Voting closes: Friday 13 November 2026, 11.59pm.
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