New Zealand production company NHNZ has announced that its television series about a New Zealand farmer who dedicated 60 years to improving the lives of ordinary Chinese people, Rewi Alley, will air on China’s CCTV on July 9 to coincide with New Zealand Day at the Shanghai World Expo. The five-part series is a copro between CCTV, NHNZ and the New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. The series received an official launch at a function in Beijing with the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Honourable John Key, in attendance.

The biographical series was filmed in New Zealand and China earlier this year and also features rare archival film footage and interviews with Rewi Alley’s family, colleagues and students. NHNZ is currently in negotiations to create a one-hour version of the production for the New Zealand market.