Department of Labour Annual Report 2006

Case Study 7 - Popular Borderline TV programme shows breadth of Department's work

Viewers saw the highs and lows of work by the Department’s immigration staff managing and protecting New Zealand’s borders.

Reality TV series Borderline became a ratings hit by showing New Zealanders the myriad ways that the Department of Labour’s immigration work affects people here and overseas.

By participating in the show the Department aimed to increase awareness about the range of immigration activities we do and educate viewers about how our work in bringing people to New Zealand supports tourism, education, business and New Zealand’s international humanitarian obligations.

Viewers who watched the 12 episodes, broadcast in a 7.30pm Monday time slot from June 2006, saw the hard work done behind the scenes, often in difficult and highly emotional situations. Viewers saw the painstaking verifications, interviews, checks and visits that help keep our border secure. But they also saw work they may not have realised is done by the Department’s immigration officials, such as helping refugees settle into a new life in Christchurch or helping bus company Stagecoach in its efforts to recruit drivers from Tonga.

Borderline expanded on the Department’s previous immigration reality television show Border Patrol by showing the breadth of our immigration work, and filming helped bring immigration staff together – from choosing the name and canvassing for story ideas, through to the thrill of seeing themselves on television when the series went to air.

By participating in the show, the Department aimed to increase awareness about the range of immigration activities.

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