TVNZ have released more details on their HD launch next year. To sum up:

• It will be on Freeview DTT only, Sky will not be able to receive the content, nor will the current Freeview Satellite service. Freeview DTT will be available from March next year.
• 50% of content on TV One will be in HD, 80% on TV2.
• It will be 720p (the current standard from HDTV) and surround sound will be broadcast when available. SD content will be upscaled.
• TVNZ6, TVNZ7 and TVNZ Sport Extra will not go HD.

They have the technical stuff, MPEG-4 using the H.246 ABC codec, 23 Mbps and statistical multiplexing 2 HD channels with 3 SD ones.

Time to get me an HD ready TV