New Zealand's favourite home grown drama celebrates 4000 episodes
Date: 30 May 2008
Source: South Pacific Pictures, Department of Conservation and the Motutapu Restoration Trust
Shortland Street will celebrate a milestone achievement when episode 4000 goes to air on June 6th, 2008 at 7pm on TV2.
In commemoration of this special occasion, South Pacific Pictures, producers of Shortland Street, have joined forces with the Department of Conservation in planting 4000 native New Zealand trees on the island of Motutapu, in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.
"South Pacific Pictures is a carboNZero company, and Shortland Street is one of the world's first carboNZero serial dramas," says John Barnett, Chief Executive of South Pacific Pictures. "We are thrilled to celebrate 4000 episodes of New Zealand's favourite drama with a gift that benefits New Zealand and which all the viewers who have supported the show for the last 16 years can be proud of."
In association with the Department of Conservation and the Motutapu Restoration Trust, 4000 native New Zealand trees will be planted on the island of Motutapu over the coming months. An official tree planting ceremony will be held on Motutapu on June 5th (which is national Arbor Day and World Environment Day) to mark the occasion of 4000 episodes of Shortland Street on air.
"DOC is thrilled by the enthusiasm of some of New Zealand's best-known television
personalities to make an active and positive contribution to conservation," says Bill
Trusewich of the Department of Conservation.
Chris Fletcher, Chair of the Motutapu Restoration Trust, is also excited about the project. "We're delighted to be able to share this milestone with South Pacific Pictures, and what better way than celebrating 4000 episodes with 4000 trees," she says. "It's great to have the Shortland Street cast, crew and fans on board in support of the restoration of this island and this year's World Environment Day celebrations."
ENDS
- Motutapu, Sacred Island, is a 1,509 hectare island in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. It is a recreation reserve administered by the Department of Conservation.
- The aim of the Motutapu Restoration Trust is to "restore the cultural and natural landscape of Motutapu - the mosaic of Motutapu".
- 5 June 2008 is World Environment Day. Commemorated each year on 5 June, it is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action. The World Environment Day slogan for 2008 is Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy and New Zealand is the host country for this year.
- June 5th is also national Arbor (tree planting) day in New Zealand. DOC's
Arbor Day celebrations focus on planting native trees to restore habitats that have been damaged by humans, pests and weeds.
