Radio NZ has pushed ahead with a restructure, with plans to expand its digital offering to new audiences and place it on the same level as its radio programming, RNZ consultation documents show.
Paul Thompson, the Radio New Zealand Chief Executive (Source: Radio NZ).
The plan change will see no job losses and an expansion of the editorial management.
RNZ’s restructure comes amidst upheaval this year as sister company TVNZ slashed 68 jobs in news, the looming closure of rival Newshub, and the abrupt resignation of Broadcasting Minister, Melissa Lee, on 24 April.
On 28 February, Warner Discovery had announced the closure of Newshub, and on 8 March, TVNZ announced the cancellation of Sunday, Fair Go, and its midday news shows.
The TVNZ cuts came on the back of declining revenue streams and audiences moving to online platforms, and the Labour Government’s February 2023 decision to abandon the proposed TVNZ/RNZ merger.
Following that, in April 2023, then Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson gave RNZ a $25.7 million lifeline, earmarking $12 million boost for digital broadcasting. Listen to the RNZ interview here -
The TVNZ redundancy process has been challenged in the Employment Relations Authority but will see the loss of 35 roles in news; by contrast, the RNZ restructure will boost its news team with two new roles. Radio will see a new content director role for radio.
RNZ management first told staff of the proposed editorial reorganisation on 12 February.
It confirmed the plan to staff on 7 March. On 17 March, RNZ’s Chief Executive Paul Thompson met with then Broadcasting Minister, Melissa Lee. RNZ withheld the -
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