Radio NZ Aims To Reach "80% of" New Zealanders With Digital Storytelling

Exclusive: RNZ confirms radio will not be diminished with new digital focus, show consultation documents released.

Source: RNZ

In a shake-up of its editorial team, Radio NZ is moving to a “story-first approach” with ambitions to reach nearly 4.25 million New Zealanders*. Consultation documents have revealed it intends to widen its audience to “80% of all NZers” by leveraging its digital platform. “That means being adaptable; moving and sharing resources where/when it’s needed and not clinging to outdated structures and processes,” wrote RNZ.

(*Based on Stats NZ’s provisional resident population estimate for 31 December 2023)

But with the coalition government’s 30 May budget on the way, RNZ may well learn whether the $12 million previously set aside for digital will still be there to implement the new digitally-driven focus and creation of two new editorial roles in ‘news gathering’ and international news.

NZR

After consulting staff for feedback, on 12 March this year, RNZ confirmed its plans, emphasising it was moving to “a story-first approach, with collaboration in and between Content and News” teams.

Source: RNZ

The restructure was also intended to “break down” silos and “Bring people doing similar work together” and simplify its processes to allow staff to make “great content”. It would also look to reduce duplication of content.

As a part of the shift to “audience-first digital storytelling”, RNZ would create a new ‘Executive editor news gathering’ role.