In 1860s New Zealand, a young Irish woman desperately trying to find her son finds herself caught on both sides of the lines during the wars between Māori tribes and the British colonial army.

When a storm washes a canoe bearing an infant boy ashore upon a small South Pacific island, he is at first well-received as a gift from the heavens, even to the point of the tribal chief adopting him as a successor. However, with time as hardships are blamed upon Tama (as he is named), he is finally outcast to live with the poorest people on the island, Mahana and her drunken father. Mahana is considered homely and undesirable, but Tama feels differently, so when he is old enough to build a craft to sail away, he vows to return for her one day. A lucky stroke brings him to land upon the island of the legendary Johnny Lingo, the wealthiest trader in the islands, and after years of service to him, Tama has learned much about life and himself as he dreams of honoring his pledge to Mahana.

An outbreak of avian flu mutates into a virus that becomes transmittable from human to human.

This seven-part comedy involves a group of soap opera writers, actors and the network they have to answer to. Stressed scriptwriter Pauline (Robyn Malcolm) deals with her ex and the rest of her unruly writing team — plus the demands of her patronising producer (Tandi Wright).

Two best friends, Grant and Paul, hita country road for a night of fun, but unfortunately take a short cut to their fate...where they meet the Locals.

The personal story of New Zealand's most beloved entertainer Billy T James. Reveals the man behind the chuckle.