One of the most notorious episodes in New Zealand’s recent criminal history is to be screened on television next year, backed by $2.6 million of public money.

The two-hour drama City Under Siege will tell the story of Jan Molenaar’s 50-hour standoff with police in Napier in May 2009, in which he killed Senior Constable Len Snee and injured officers Bruce Miller and Grant Diver and civilian Len Holmwood before taking his own life.

Key players in the siege have given their cautious backing to the production, with Snee’s widow Vicki saying it was important that it was an accurate portrayal.

Holmwood, who stopped Molenaar killing two police officers, said he would take part in the project.

“They’re going to interview me and do parts with actors and parts with actual people. I’ll just be giving my side of the story … again.

“I’m not against it. I think it’s important we get a look at the final cut before they release it.

“I’m a bit over it now, but it is a major part of our history, I suppose. I suppose if I wasn’t a bit more involved I’d be more enthusiastic.”

Molenaar’s father, Paul, 77, said he had been approached to take part but was not interested.

“I have never included myself in the whole story. I stayed well clear of it.

“I will watch it if I can, but I would rather not get involved because it’s been such a nasty thing. It’s affected us all very much.”

Diver said he would “like to forget all about it but I can understand the public wants to know what happened.

“It was the worst day of my life. The fact you have to relive things doesn’t help, but the main thing is to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”

Eastern District commander Superintendent Sam Hoyle, who led the police operation, backed the production.

“The event itself was a significant one for New Zealand police and Napier. It’s important we document accurately all the events of the siege and the days that followed, provided it’s done with the proper respect for those who were impacted.

“I think it’s a good thing for the police and a good thing for Napier.”

City Under Siege is produced by Screentime, maker of Police Ten-7 and Beyond the Darklands, and supported by NZ On Air’s Platinum Fund.

Screentime executive director Philly de Lacey said the drama would be filmed in Napier over five continuous weeks later this year. It was unclear whether there would be filming at Molenaar’s house, handed to the Crown under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Molenaar’s partner, Delwyn Keefe, was yet to be contacted.

Peter Webber, who directed Girl with a Pearl Earring, is to film his new production in New Zealand next year.

The film, with a working title of Emperor, will go into production in January, filming in both Auckland and Wellington, with some specific scenes also being shot in Japan.

Inspired by true events, Emperor is set amid the tension of the days immediately following the Japanese surrender at the end of World War II.

Film New Zealand convinced producers Yoko Narahashi, Gary Foster and Eugene Nomura, as well as Webber, that this was the country in which to make their film. It says landing the quality production is a feather in the cap for the local screen industry.

“This success highlights New Zealand’s ongoing ability to attract first class filmmakers and producers,” chief executive Gisella Carr said, adding that international production is key to industry growth and employment.

A number of New Zealanders will be employed on the production, including Academy Award winning designers Grant Major and Ngila Dickson and producer Tim Coddington. Most of the crew are expected to be from NZ.

Foster’s career includes features Sleepless in Seattle, The Soloist and Ghost Rider and he said there was intense international competition for the project. But he said New Zealand was able to line up a compelling case.

The production team visited the country on a Film New Zealand-hosted reconnaissance earlier this year.

“Our visit to New Zealand convinced us that the quality and talent of the industry, alongside the outstanding locations and the exceptionally positive experiences filmmakers have in New Zealand offered the possibilities for making a great film in the country,” said Foster.

Carr said the screen industry is one of New Zealand’s major strengths, with a current value of more than more than $2.8 billion from international and domestic production.

“There is nothing flash in the pan about this success – just solid hard work and commitment from a talented industry, together with backing from Central Government, local authorities and the wider New Zealand community – who make location shooting possible.”

- TVNZ

With 14,264 stream views to date for the first episode,Auckland Daze’s premiere is now the highest rankingshow on TVNZ Ondemand, ahead of Friday’s Shortland Street, which achieved  13,179 stream views over the same period.

Auckland Daze follows the success of TVNZ’s  Emmy Award-winning digital-only series    Reservoir Hill. The new series is a  spoof comedy that follows four hapless wannabes;  a model, a stuntman, a dwarf entertainer and a  stand-up comedian, who are all chasing fame  inAuckland’s ridiculously small entertainment  industry.

Auckland Daze takes the interactive experience that made Reservoir Hill a success to the next level. The show screens on TVNZ Ondemand and is also embedded into Facebook allowing viewers to watch, ‘like’ and share the episodes with their friends without having to leave their Facebook profile.

After each episode, the audience is prompted to say what they think. Filmed weekly, suggestions from viewers influence the next episode. The second episode of Auckland Daze will be available to view from 5pm tonight and features a viewer contributed pick up line for Millen. This second episode also guest stars Craig Parker.

With a growing Facebook fanbase and fan interaction rates running well above average, viewers are enjoying the chance to interact with and influence the show.

“In just one week, the success of Auckland Daze has demonstrated the growth in the digital audience’s appetite for high quality online video and interactive experiences. We are enjoying the positive viewer feedback and seeing that people appreciate the show’s humour as much as we do,” says Tom Cotter, TVNZ’s GM Digital Media.

- Throng