About the show
Towns from across New Zealand have been challenged to compete
for one of the most prestigious trophies in New Zealand
history.
Iconic television show Top Town is set to return to our screens,
with 15 towns competing for the pride of their community in
December this year.
Top Town first aired on Television New Zealand in 1976, with teams
from across the country competing in games for the title of New
Zealand's Top Town. Competition was friendly, but staunchly
competitive. But more than anything, it was about the pride of
small town New Zealand. The last series screened in
1990.
"Top Town was heartland New Zealand, where the real people live",
says original Top Town host Sir Howard Morrison.
"Flying into Timaru, it was huge. Palmerston North was huge.
Whangarei was huge. The teams were well drilled, representing their
towns, they came prepared, it brought honour to their coat of arms.
It was excitement, excitement, excitement!"
The new series will see provincial teams travel to one location,
Christchurch, to compete for the title of New Zealand's Top Town in
early December.
Television production company Eyeworks is seeking 15 towns - to be
eligible a town must have a publicly-elected mayor - from all over
the country.
Spectacular new games are set to excite a new generation to this
nationwide provincial competition. But in keeping with the
tradition of the original show, the competition will be for the
pride and mana of the town, the coveted Top Town trophy and the
right to be called "New Zealand's Top Town".
Mayors across the country have been contacted to help coordinate
teams. The final fifteen teams selected will each have 12
competitors, along with their own cheer squads, supporters and
mascots.
As reigning Top Town champions, the South Island town of Greymouth
has already confirmed they will be fielding a team to defend their
1990 victory.
Says former Kiwi and Captain of the winning Greymouth team, Tony
Coll: "Greymouth really got in behind the team. I remember
coming back on the bus and we stopped at the Cobden bridge. The
streets into Greymouth were lined with people like we'd won the
Ranfurly Shield or something!"
