21/08/2026
***** Ngā mihi nui to everyone who has taken the time to apply for this campaign. We have been truly overwhelmed by the stories you have shared. Applications for this have now closed *****
DID YOU SPEND SOME OF YOUR CHILDHOOD IN STARSHIP HOSPITAL? WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
We are celebrating the success of Starship Hospital and Mercury's 25 years supporting Starship. One of NZ's top directors is making 3 short films about the experience of ex-Starship patients and how it’s shaped people’s lives!
Who:
We really want to hear from Ex Starship patients who are now ADULTS (18 and over) - we want people who are happy to talk about their experience as a child at Starship Hospital. You will be on camera but really just a simple chat and open answers in a one on one interview style.
While the reality of your journey could be raw and emotive, we’re after people whose personality shines through, leaving us with a sense of positivity and appreciation of the amazing work carried out at Starship.
There is no acting required, we want the real person to shine through!
You can live anywhere in NZ – if cast in a role any travel and accommodation costs will be covered by the Production Company
Dates and Payment:
This is a paid opportunity. If you are selected for a role you will be required for 1 day of filming on Thursday 10th September. Anyone applying must be available for this date.
If selected for the campaign you will be paid $6000 (minus tax)
It will air on NZ TV, video on demand, the Internet and Social Media for 1 year. There will also be a stills/print and Outdoor (eg. billboards) component to the campaign.
Please note that there is no payment for auditioning.
What to Include in your Video:
- Your age at the time and reason for your stay at Starship.
- The impact it had on your and your family’s life.
- Your relationship with Starship staff.
- How your experience at Starship has shaped your life since.
- What’s your life like now? Family, work, interests & hobbies
- Tell us if you have any photographs and/or video footage from that time, we might ask to see and use some of this later to tell your story.
We’d love to hear from you… please follow the link to apply. There will be prompts & questions to assist you with your application. It only needs to be up to 3 minutes long. Once we have a shortlist we may also ask some people to attend an interview in person at Catch Casting or on Zoom around the 1st September 2026.
IMPORTANT…
You must have a clean criminal record to apply for this project and background checks will be done. Unfortunately the nature of TV advertising requires this. Speeding tickets and parking tickets are fine though!
Ngā mihi,
Catch