Country Calendar is to mark 50 years on our screens next year - and preparations are already underway to celebrate.

New Zealand on Air has has been backing the series since 1991 and has just announced that as well as the 2016 series, it'll support a one-off 50th anniversary special.

It'll also provide more than $935,000 for the TV3 show 'Lost and Found'.

A third and final documentary in the Gloriavale series is also getting backing.

This doco will explore what life is like for women inside the closed community on the West Coast of the South Island.

Funding details
Lost & Found 2, 10 x 1 hr, Warner Brothers NZ for TV3, $935,846
Street Hospital 2, 10 x ½ hr, The Gibson Group for TV2, $575,000
Country Calendar 2016, 40 x 30 mins, TVNZ for TV One, $566,720
Shearing Gang 4, 10 x ½ hr, Great Southern Television for Prime, $462,450
The Gloriavale Project 3, 1 x 1hr, Pacific Screen Limited for TV2, $170,000
Country Calendar 50th Anniversary Special, 1 x 1 hr, TVNZ for TV One, $59,800