In 2025, Aotearoa is taking part in a dating conversation.
No matter where we come from, how we identify ourselves and what we’re into, the desire to find connection is universal.
Dating is loaded with anxiety, excitement, rejection, fulfilment, growth, trauma and humanity.
Simply put d8talk is people talking about dating.
Rolling out across Instagram Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat Spotlight and Facebook Reels, d8talk will have two phases: Tapes and Diaries.
Phase One - Tapes
Tapes features clips from 38 interviews in which rangatahi aged 18-24 share their experiences with wins and losses, both hilarious and embarrassing, the lessons learned and any advice they can offer to other young humans.
The interviews are from a studio shoot in November 2024. Our small, friendly team spoke with individuals and couples in a private and comfortable setting, supporting each of them to share their stories for about an hour. They received mental health support and a Prezzy Card as a thank you for their contribution.
Phase Two - Diaries
Diaries will delve deeper into the world of dating for Generation Z in Aotearoa.
Eight of the Tapes participants will be given equipment to record personal vlog-style updates offering a raw look into the roller coaster that is dating.
The d8talk team will curate the vlogs, sharing regular instalments for each participant across d8talk social media channels.
Diaries participants will receive mental health support, editorial guidance via weekly calls with the d8talk director, and social media exposure (if they want it). They’ll also get to keep the devices supplied to them for their weekly vlogs, which we expect will be smartphones.
Our goal
The purpose of d8talk is to uplift people in the pursuit of finding connection with others. We want to bring people together by showing that, whatever background we come from, we're all human and we're all just trying to figure out what works for us.
We don't think anybody has all the answers, but we do believe that the real voices in d8talk will bring perspectives and themes that resonate with fellow Gen Zers. By showcasing a breadth of identities we hope to encourage acceptance, togetherness and celebration of the ways we're different.
Joe Canham - Director He/Him
Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Te Hikutū
Joe is a 26-year-old man based in Tāhuna who has been active in the Aotearoa film industry since age 18. Being single and living in the small(ish) mountain town, having engaged with its tiny but colourful dating scene, meant Joe’s motivation to create d8talk was personal.
Georgia-May Russ - Producer She/Her
Ngati Maniapoto | Waikato-Tainui
Georgia-May is a Māori filmmaker and theatre-maker. Growing up as Pākehā-Māori in a rural town influences a lot of her work, drawing on her real-life experiences of cultural reconnection, whānau and self-realisation.
David Jacobs - Executive Producer He/They
Jewish-English-Aotearoan
David is based in Tāmaki Makaurau and has worked in the film industry since the 1980s as a producer, director and editor. He founded and led The Outlook for Someday sustainability film project for young people, which is now known as Day One Hāpai te Haeata. In recent years he’s also been rekindling his love of acting.