WEEK 6: Saturday 6 February - Friday 12 February 2010

Local - The Good Word, Saturday 6 February, 9.10pm: New Zealand's exciting television book show, The Good Word, returns to TVNZ 7 with its lively mix of reviews, views and stories from the world of books.

The series stars novelist Emily Perkins (in the studio) and columnist Finlay Macdonald (in the field), along with an almost all-new, all-star panel. Joining comic Te Radar, on The Good Word panel are newcomers, actor Jennifer Ward-Lealand, columnist Steve Braunias, One News presenter Miriama Kamo, journalist Gordon McLauchlan and - in what may be a worldwide book show first - the country's Chief Censor, Bill Hastings. The Good Word is an innovative mix of both studio and documentary elements. In the studio, the award-winning Perkins leads the panel in reviewing a book of the week, then brings in a special guest to talk about his or her favourite book. Filmed in the field each week is a visit with a real-life book club, and Macdonald's documentary series Under the Covers which, in each show, uncovers the story behind a famous New Zealand book. Presenter Emily Perkins and panellists Steve Braunias, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Bill Hastings discuss book of the week, Aphrodite's Island, by Anne Salmond. Writer Bruce Ansley reveals his favourite book and Finlay Macdonald tells the story behind the brilliant novel, Other Halves, by Sue McCauley. If you have missed an episode, check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of The Good Word will also be available free online at www.tvnz.co.nz/thegoodword.

Local - The Gravy, Saturday 6 February, 9.35pm: Musician Warren Maxwell, playwright Gabe McDonnell, and graphic artist Ross Liew present Aotearoa's creative culture show, The Gravy.

From words to bodies to technology, each episode is a journey of discovery into the hearts and minds of inspirational New Zealanders. The show continues its successful tradition while bringing in a contextual element born from a deep respect and engagement with the creative culture of the nation. Extraordinary stories continue to explode in your face in the weekly animated segment, The Truth. This week Ross Liew meets artists who have Whanganui in common, Ben Cauchi (photographer), Matthew Couper (painter), and Carmen Simmonds (a glass artist). If you have missed an episode, check your guide for extra opportunities to view. Full episodes of The Gravy will also be available free online at www.tvnz.co.nz/thegravy.

WORLD'S BEST - Doco Of The Week - Citizen O'Ketch - Wednesday 10 February, 7.10pm: Citizen O'Ketch looks at being African in today's Africa and how, at the lowest denominator, people deal with the HIV hardship and can still find life a joy.

Follow George and Esther O'Ketch as they struggle to raise a family in Africa's largest slum. Both are HIV positive but in a way that has become normal and that's how George and Esther deal with it. When George first found out about the HIV he panicked and didn't go back to the hospital. His health deteriorated so much that he became too ill to work and provide for the family. But he then plucked up the courage and sought treatment. George now tours the slums looking after other HIV patients. "I give thanks to O'Ketch," says one sufferer, who was doing badly before she met George. Esther and their youngest daughter are also infected and taking the antiretroviral drugs is part of a solemn family ritual. However, staying healthy is a challenge in their hometown, Kibera. "In this area we have lost three children," says George pointing to rubbish heaps cluttering makeshift alleyways. Citizen O'Ketch does not demand we pity George's family but rather it throws a potent and refreshing light on human resilience.

WORLD'S BEST - Vanguard, Wednesday 10 February, 7.35pm: Whether it's half a world away or in our own backyard, TVNZ 7's brand new series, Vanguard, brings you stories about the most important issues of our time.

Tonight, our reporters take us to Japan, the world's second largest economy, which faces a demographic crisis that will shrink the population dramatically. The Japanese aren't having babies, and the country won't accept immigrants to help bolster the population. But Japan may have a unique solution - robots! A combination of low birth rates, changing lifestyles and strict immigration policies may be cause for the fall of a nation once expected to challenge American supremacy on the world stage. However, because Japan's insular and xenophobic society will not tolerate the admission of greater numbers of immigrants, Japan's tackling the population problem in a way only it can, by creating a robot nation. Japan's issues are not isolated either. Many European nations are experiencing the same population contraction. And even though Japan is unique in its problems and solutions, there's a sense that it simply reflects a future the rest of the developed world will soon see.