Media assets

Television: TVNZ 1, TVNZ 2, TVNZ Duke

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Managed (ISM)

Ownership and governance

TVNZ remains a Crown-owned commercial entity: its board is appointed by the Minister of Broadcasting for three‑year terms, and the company answers to the Crown while remaining commercially driven.

A widely debated merger between TVNZ and Radio New Zealand—into a new entity called Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media—had been on the cards since mid‑2022. However, due to shifting government priorities under Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, the merger was officially shelved in February 2023.

As of January 2024, Jodi O’Donnell holds the helm as Chief Executive Officer, having stepped up from her previous role as Chief Revenue Officer. In April 2025, Nadia Tolich was appointed Chief News and Content Officer, marking a significant editorial leadership change within TVNZ’s news division.

Source of funding and budget

TVNZ continues to rely predominantly on advertising, roughly 90%–commercial funding, with only a sliver of income from government support.

In the fiscal year ending June 2021, TVNZ generated NZ$ 339.9 million (US$ 228 m) in commercial funding, according to its annual report. In the 2022 fiscal year, the figure nudged upward to NZ$ 341 million (US$ 213 m). In the 2023 financial year, however, revenues slipped to NZ$ 327 million (US$ 202 m), reflecting the downturn in traditional advertising markets and intensifying competition from global streaming platforms.

In FY 2024, TVNZ’s operating revenue slipped further to NZ$ 288.9 million, a year-on-year fall of almost 12%, with results weighed down by a NZ$ 62.1 million impairment; still, digital ad income rose by just over 8% even as traditional television advertising fell. By the first half of FY 2025, revenue totalled NZ$ 152.7 million, with digital streams growing by about 16% year-on-year to contribute more than a quarter of total income, even as overall revenue edged down by 1.9%.

Editorial independence

TVNZ operates under the Television New Zealand Act of 2003, which enshrines its editorial independence. There is no evidence of government interference in its news or programming agenda.

TVNZ has a complaints procedure in place that allows viewers to submit feedback about the TVNZ programming and rules that oblige the broadcaster to respond to these complaints within 20 days.

August 2025

Media assets

Television: Māori Television

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded (ISF)

Ownership and governance

Established under the Māori Television Service Act 2003, Whakaata Māori is structured as a Māori–Crown partnership. Te Mātāwai—a legislatively independent body representing Māori interests—appoints four of the seven board members, ensuring the broadcaster remains culturally grounded while being accountable like a Crown entity. The June 2022 switch to the name Whakaata Māori marked a milestone in identity clarity and resonance.

Shane Taurima (Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Kahungunu) serves as Kaihautū (Chief Executive) of the broadcaster. With three decades of experience across broadcasting, politics, and Indigenous media leadership, he also chairs the World Indigenous Broadcasters Network. Since assuming the helm, Taurima has steered Whakaata Māori through its digital transformation, expansion of platforms, and deeper global engagement.

Source of funding and budget

Whakaata Māori relies heavily on government funding via Vote Māori Affairs, supplemented by support from Te Māngai Pāho. Historical budget figures include: FY2021: NZ$38.4 million; FY2022: NZ$40.5 million; and FY2023: NZ$46.1 m (fiscal year ending June), according to data from company annual reports.

In mid‑2024, facing a 20% funding decline (~NZ$10.3 m over two years), Whakaata Māori announced a major shake‑up: scaling down executive leadership from seven to four roles, shuttering its standalone Te Reo channel in favour of an online-only presence, and streamlining content investment toward high-impact storytelling. By December 2024, these changes manifested in the axing of 27 positions, the retirement of its 20‑year news bulletin, and the pivot of Te Ao Māori News to a digital-first model from 13 December 2024.

In the 2024/25 financial year, Whakaata Māori received a budget allocation of NZ$48.6 million, supporting its nationwide broadcasting and cultural programming. However, in Budget 2025 the government reduced this funding to NZ$42.3 million for 2025/26, a cut of more than NZ$6 million that has forced restructuring and raised concerns about the broadcaster’s long-term capacity.

Despite financial headwinds, Whakaata Māori continues to punch above its weight in societal influence. Its 2025 Social Value Report, produced by Social Ventures Australia, reveals an estimated NZ$114.2 million in social value generated in FY2023/24, more than double its operating budget. Notable impacts include increased home use of te reo (the Māori language), enhanced identity among Māori viewers, and elevated linguistic proficiency among learners.

Politicians from Te Pāti Māori have seized upon this data to argue for more equitable and meaningful funding in Budget 2025, asserting that the broadcaster delivers exceptional return on investment for cultural preservation and national cohesion.

Editorial independence

The Māori Television Service Act 2003 enshrines editorial autonomy, explicitly prohibiting government meddling in programming. A viewer complaints system is in place, pledging responses within 20 days, underscoring the broadcaster’s transparency and accountability.

August 2025

Media assets

Radio: RNZ National, RNZ Concert, AM Network, RNZ Pacific

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)

Ownership and governance

Established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995, RNZ operates as a Crown entity. Its Board of Governors, including Chair Dr Jim Mather and directors Irene Gardiner, Jane Wrightson, Brent Impey, Gracie MacKinlay, and Mads Moller (all with terms through mid‑2026), is appointed by Crown ministers.

In 2023, the government abandoned plans to merge RNZ with TVNZ into the proposed Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM), which would have made RNZ a subsidiary. That merger was quashed in February 2023 despite initial legislation in June 2022.

The helm of RNZ remains under the steady guidance of Paul Thompson, who serves as both Chief Executive and Editor‑in‑Chief, a role he assumed in September 2013 and continues to hold.

Source of funding and budget

Historically, RNZ has been almost wholly state‑funded—about 95 % of its budget was government subsidy (via NZ On Air) as of the 2021 fiscal year with a budget of NZ$ 48.5 million. By 2022, RNZ’s total budget had risen to NZ$ 50.7 million (approx. US$ 31.7 million), and by 2023 reached NZ$ 57.7 million (approx. US$ 35.7 million), with government funding still dominating.

However, under the 2025 New Zealand Budget, RNZ faces a reduction of NZ$ 18 million over four years (~NZ$ 4.6 million annually). In response, RNZ has initiated voluntary redundancies to adjust to this funding shortfall.

Audience figures show RNZ National’s cumulative listenership dropping from over 700,000 (early 2020) to just under 530,000 in 2024. Morning Report’s audience similarly declined from 500,000 to 376,500. Meanwhile, rival commercial station Newstalk ZB gained ground. Thompson stressed that while live radio reach is diminishing (now just 14%), RNZ’s presence across digital platforms, the app, podcasts, and partners has expanded reach from 15 % to 70 % of the population over 15 years. An external review published in August 2025 delivered a grim assessment: RNZ is in decline and urgently needs a “major reset,” especially in its approach to live audio. RNZ’s Thompson signaled intent to seek independent, frank guidance to chart a path forward.

Editorial independence

Editorial integrity is enshrined by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995 and reinforced by the RNZ Charter. Government officials are barred from making editorial requests, a bulwark safeguarding RNZ’s independence.

Moreover, RNZ provides a robust audience feedback mechanism, enabling the public to lodge formal complaints regarding programs or editorial conduct. Complaints must be submitted in writing, either via an online form or by post, and are assessed against RNZ’s editorial policy, and relevant standards (such as the Code of Broadcasting Standards or Media Council guidelines). RNZ handles each complaint on its merits, regardless of how many are received on similar topics. Only in specific cases, like privacy breaches, can complaints bypass RNZ and go directly to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

August 2025

Media assets

Radio: Niu FM, 531 pi, PMN News

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)

Ownership and governance

PMN is governed by the National Pacific Radio Trust, a state-sanctioned entity whose board is appointed by the Government, reflecting its public mandate and accountability. Don Mann Jr., appointed CEO on 1 July 2020, continues to lead PMN through its ongoing transformation.

Source of funding and budget

In the 2020 fiscal year, PMN received a state subsidy of approximately NZ$ 4.1 million via NZ On Air, supplemented by around NZ$ 1 million in commercial revenue. By 2023, this public funding had increased to NZ$ 5.1 million. The network also benefits from grants such as the Public Interest Journalism Fund; for example, PMN News secured up to NZ$ 275,000 to bolster quality Pacific journalism.

A February 2025 commentary framed Pacific media, including PMN, as standing “at a tipping point,” beset by chronic underfunding, outdated infrastructure, and threats to independence. This scenario epitomizes broader challenges confronting media across the region.

Editorial independence

PMN continues to enjoy a strong editorial voice unconstrained by formal government mandates. No known statutes impose editorial guidelines, nor is there evidence of direct state interference.

August 2025