It’s the land from down under that’s had a less enthusiastic attitude towards Eurovision than its Australian neighbours. But things could be changing with the news that New Zealand‘s national broadcaster Television New Zealand is investigating involvement in Eurovision Asia.
Last week, the European Broadcasting Union confirmed plans to launch an Asia-Pacific version of its popular European song competition. While no countries have formally confirmed for the Asia-Pacific contest, several have expressed interest — and now New Zealand joins that list.
Stuff news reports that national broadcaster Television New Zealand is interested in participating in the inaugural EASC. They reported:
A TVNZ spokeswoman said the company had been looking into joining the Asia-Pacific competition, but she added it was early days yet. The competition was understood to be a while off, and TVNZ’s spokeswoman said no details had been finalised between the station and Eurovision organiser.
While it’s not quite a “hell yes!”, it is the most enthusiastic a New Zealand broadcaster has been towards Eurovision in many years.
Australia may have been broadcasting Eurovision for well over 30 years, but on the other side of the Tasman Sea, the contest barely registers among New Zealanders and does not currently have a local broadcaster.
But there is a small, enthusiastic and growing Kiwi Eurovision fan base who are thrilled at the idea of their country being among those debuting at Eurovision Asia in 2018.
The closest New Zealand has previously come to Eurovision involvement was earlier this year when a New Zealand winery was selected as the official wine supplier for Kyiv.
And way back in 1979, New Zealand won the inaugural (but short-lived) South Pacific Song Quest. The Eurovision-inspired competition was won by young Maori singer Tina Cross with “Nothing But Dreams”.
There’s no doubt that with a potential international audience in the millions, participating in Eurovision Asia will be a huge opportunity for the chosen artist and will show off the best of New Zealand’s music industry. There’s more to New Zealand popular music than Lorde, y’all!
Who would you like to see represent Aotearoa New Zealand at Eurovision Asia? Let us know your favourites in the comments below!
The fact that this broadcaster has just only just sounded interested shows that they have not even been approached by Australian organisers.
Australia does not want NZ in the completion it seems, they are after the bigger fish that are really in the Asia region, those that can pay the hefty fees.
hi Stephen, a little confused by your comment… bigger fish? You mean like Vanuatu and Solomon Islands? As far as I know New Zealand is one of the few countries in the developed world that has financial surpluses. They have money to burn. And a heap of talent. Anyway what makes you think Australia is in charge of this?
“Send Lorde” is in the same vein of sending Adele, Stromae, Sia, etc. a.k.a. Not gonna happen. At best she could be the Eurovision Asia equivalent of Justin Timberlake doing the interval act.
Kimbra would be a good choice, probably someone like (gasp) Natalia Kills…
Please send Lorde!
Please send Lorde!!!
Send Lorde!!!!
What about Maisey Rika? I think she’d be cool! I really like her song Tangaroa Whakamautai!
KIMBRA, pleeease, she is amazing!!!
SEND KIMBRA!!!
I would like to see Te Vaka as the first representants of New Zealand, if the country confirms its participation 😀
It’s my favourite group ! I knew them since my childhood and their songs had always been great and nice like ”Loimata E Maligi”, ”Tamahana”, ”Pate Pate” or the songs they composed and that we can hear in the Disney movie ”Moana” ! Plus, they released an excellent single and clip two weeks ago, ”Lakalaka”, which is absolutely AWESOME ! 😉 Why not to send them ? ^^
What do you think of it Robyn ? 🙂
Or Stan Walker 😀 With a song in maori like ”Aoteaora” which is real anthem 😉 I really love him and his songs ! Not so much ”Messages” that he released this year, but I love ”New Takeover” and especially the clip which is really ….. WOOOW ! No words … ^^
Aha, me too (for ”Aotearoa”) 😀 It had been a great ESC winner ^^ even if it had been strange to see a song in maori winning an european-asian song contest. But we don’t care, Eurovision is a song contest ^^ Te Vaka is located in New Zealand, they always created their songs on this wonderful country, they could represent it 😉 I don’t know if it’s true but none of them are samoans ? I know one of the principal singer have lived in the island but they’re all from Tokelau or Cook Islands no ? It’s not so… Read more »
Russell Crowe.
Solomon Islands confirmed the participation!:)
I’ve seen on Eurovoix World, Solomon islands broadcaster and Wikipedia
sorry Robyn I wasn’t 100% correct as you said they have an intrest, but I guess it’s the same as for New Zealand.:) I had same sources as Carin Trano.
There’s the Bedingfield siblings, Willy Moon or my favourite, the Flight of the Conchords! Not realistic choices granted, but I’d like to see something uniquely Kiwi.
This has probably been asked before, but when Asia vision happens, will Australia take part in both or on contest? And are other Oceania countries welcome to join, like Fiji?
stan walker! or broods 🙂
Both great choices.
Naked and the Famous or Broods.
I love Lorde, I’ve bought both her CDs, but she’s too huge globally for this contest. I guess New Zealand will either send a talent show winner (Jackie Thomas, Clara van Wel) or a Maori singer. Either way, Robyn’s country better slay a bit! 😀
Lorde = one hit wonder