Filming for the documentary series Rivers is already under way at other sites throughout the country, and production crews expect to be based in Central Otago from April 15-23.
South Pacific Pictures Ltd is producing the five-episode series, which will focus on five significant waterways in the country.
As well as the Clutha River, episodes will feature the Clarence River near Kaikoura, Rangitata River in Canterbury, Mokihinui River on the South Island's west coast, and Waikato River in the central North Island.
Interviews with locals will be included in the episode, which may also highlight the main local industries such as gold, wine, tourism, and fruit.
Producer Stephen McQuillan, of Auckland, said it was an exciting project to be involved with.
Filming began around the Mokihinui five weeks ago, he said.
"It's not often you get to work on something with such a rich history. The filming trips themselves are amazing. One of the difficulties with a shoot like this is we could easily make a five-hour series on just one river as there's so many stories, so it's a difficult process to pare each episode back," he said.
Mr McQuillan said Mr Potton's photography was an integral part of why he was chosen to present the series, as well as his vast knowledge about the rivers being featured.
"He's the vice-president of Forest and Bird and a well-known conservationist, and is a very engaging guy as well. He comes with a huge amount of knowledge on the rivers of New Zealand and the associated flora and fauna, and has been heavily involved in the research and scripting components of the project," Mr McQuillan said.
Mr Potton, of Nelson, was filming yesterday and not available to comment.
The series of five one-hour episodes is due to be screened on Prime television, although broadcasting dates have yet to be confirmed.
New Zealand On Air provided $762,000 of funding for the project.
Mr McQuillan said filming would finish at the end of April or in early May, and editing should be completed by August.
