NZME
Business / Trading Name: NZME (New Zealand Media and Entertainment) – The company’s official name is NZME Limited, often trading simply as “NZME”. It was previously known as APN New Zealand and Wilson & Horton, names reflecting its historical ownership before rebranding to NZME in 2014–2016.
Company Number: 1181195 – NZME Limited is registered with New Zealand’s Companies Office under company number 1181195.
NZBN (New Zealand Business Number): 9429036668007 – The New Zealand Business Number allocated to NZME Limited is 9429036668007.
Entity Type: New Zealand Limited Company (Publicly Listed) – NZME is registered as an NZ Limited Company. It is a publicly listed media company, trading on the NZX Main Board under the ticker NZM (and dual-listed on the ASX) since June 2016.
Business Classification: Media & Entertainment (Integrated News Publishing and Broadcasting) – NZME operates in the media industry, encompassing newspaper publishing, radio broadcasting, digital media, and advertising. The company is classified under the Information Media and Telecommunications sector, reflecting its core activities in news, entertainment content, and related services.
Industry Category: Media and Telecommunications – As an integrated media conglomerate, NZME falls under the media industry category. Its operations span print newspapers, radio networks, digital news platforms, and online marketplaces, positioning it as one of New Zealand’s major media and communications companies.
Year Founded: 2001 – NZME’s current corporate incarnation was established in December 2001 (as APN New Zealand Limited). However, its flagship asset, The New Zealand Herald, traces its history back to 1863. The modern NZME entity was created through various mergers and rebrandings in the 2000s, culminating in the NZME brand launch in 2014 and separation from its Australian parent in 2016.
Addresses:
Registered & Physical Office: NZME Central – 2 Graham Street, Auckland Central, Auckland 1010, New Zealand.
Postal Address: Private Bag 92198, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
(This Auckland head office houses the NZ Herald newsroom and NZME’s corporate headquarters.)
Website URL:
https://www.nzme.co.nz/
– The company’s official website provides corporate information, brand portfolios, and investor relations. In addition, its key media brands maintain separate sites (e.g. nzherald.co.nz for news, newstalkzb.co.nz for radio content).
LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nzme/ – NZME’s LinkedIn page (“New Zealand Media & Entertainment (NZME)”) profiles the company and its updates. (Listed as a Broadcast Media Production & Distribution company with 1,000–5,000 employees and headquarters in Auckland.)
Company Hub NZ URL: https://www.companyhub.nz/companyDetails.cfm?nzbn=9429031441667 – CompanyHub’s database entry for NZME Limited provides corporate registration details (NZBN 9429036668007, Company No.1181195) and historical names. (CompanyHub is an aggregator of Companies Office data.)
NZ Companies Office URL: https://app.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/1181195 – NZME’s listing on the New Zealand Companies Register includes its incorporation date (20 Dec 2001) and status as a registered company. (The Companies Office record confirms NZME’s legal particulars and any filed documents.)
Social Media URLs: NZME’s news and content reach is primarily through its brands on social platforms rather than a single corporate account. Key social media pages include:
New Zealand Herald on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nzherald.co.nz/ (over 1.6 million followers).
NZ Herald on Twitter (X): twitter.com/nzherald (primary news feed for NZME’s flagship newspaper).
Newstalk ZB on Facebook: facebook.com/newstalkzb (official page for NZME’s radio network).
(These channels disseminate NZME content and engage audiences; NZME’s corporate communications also use LinkedIn as noted above.)
Ultimate Holding Company: None (Publicly Listed Entity) – NZME Limited is not owned by any larger parent company. It became an independent company after demerging from Australian parent APN News & Media in 2016. As a publicly traded firm on the NZX/ASX, NZME’s ownership is dispersed among institutional and retail shareholders. (Prior to 2016, its ultimate parent was APN News & Media, an Australian media group.)
Key Shareholders: NZME’s largest shareholders are investment funds and private investors:
Spheria Asset Management (Australia) – ~19% ownership, NZME’s single biggest shareholder.
James “Jim” Grenon (Canadian-born investor) – approx. 9–13% stake (he disclosed a 9.3% holding in early 2025, later reportedly increased). Grenon is a billionaire private equity figure who has been actively pushing for changes in NZME’s governance.
Pinnacle Investment Management (Australia) – ~10% stake (an institutional fund manager).
Osmium Partners (USA) – ~6.5% stake, a hedge fund known for activism.
Repertoire Partners (USA) – ~2.6% stake.
(Collectively, the top 5–7 shareholders control over 50% of NZME’s shares. The remainder is held by various institutional investors and the general public. Notably, NZME’s CEO Michael Boggs also holds a small insider stake (~1.3%).)
Leadership:
Chair of the Board: Steven Joyce (appointed 2025) – Former Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce has been named NZME’s incoming Chair, succeeding Barbara Chapman. Joyce’s appointment – backed by major shareholders – brings a high-profile political figure to the helm of NZME. (Chapman, ex-CEO of ASB Bank and Deputy Chair of the NZ Initiative think-tank, led the board from 2018 until 2025.)
Chief Executive Officer: Michael Boggs – CEO since 2016, Boggs oversees NZME’s operations and strategic direction. He has a financial background and has led cost-cutting and digital initiatives.
Executive Team: Key executives include Carolyn Luey (Chief Digital & Publishing Officer). The executive leadership is responsible for NZME’s multi-platform content strategy and commercial performance.
Board of Directors: In addition to Joyce, the board features independent directors with corporate backgrounds, such as Carol Campbell (professional director/accountant), David Gibson (former investment banker – resigned 2023), Sussan Turner (former MediaWorks CEO), and Guy Horrocks (tech entrepreneur). The board’s makeup blends media, finance, and governance expertise, albeit with noted ties to other business and political spheres (see Part Two).
Staff: Approx. 1,300–1,400 employees (nationwide) – NZME employs on the order of one to two thousand staff across New Zealand. An industry profile in 2023 estimated about 1,370 employees in total. This workforce includes journalists, editors, broadcasters, sales/marketing teams, and support staff spread across newsrooms (Auckland, Wellington, regional offices) and radio stations. NZME’s staff count has fluctuated with restructures – notably, about 200 jobs were cut in 2020’s Covid-19 downturn – but it remains one of the country’s largest media employers.
Staff That Have Held Previous Government Roles: Several prominent figures at NZME have experience in government or politics, illustrating a “revolving door” between media and public sector:
Hon. Steven Joyce – NZME’s incoming Board Chair is a former senior government minister (National Party MP 2008–2017, holding portfolios such as Transport and Finance). His transition from Cabinet to leading a media company raises interest in NZME’s political connections.
Barbara Chapman – Outgoing Chair (2018–2023) was not a politician but did serve as a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council (2018–2020), an appointed body advising the government. This quasi-government role gave her direct interaction with ministers.
Janet Wilson – A former Newstalk ZB journalist and editor, Wilson later worked as the National Party’s interim communications chief during the 2020 election campaign. (She had a decades-long career in media before crossing into political comms.)
Trish Sherson – A former NZ Herald reporter who became a press secretary to a government minister (Steven Joyce) in the 2000s, and later founded Sherson Willis, a lobbying/PR firm. Though no longer on NZME’s staff, her career reflects the interchange between NZME’s newsroom and political advocacy roles.
(Numerous other journalists and editors at NZME have over time taken up roles as ministerial advisers or press secretaries, and vice versa. This includes political editors who have moved into government communications. These overlaps underscore the close network between NZ’s media personnel and government insiders.)
Past Employees: Notable Former Personnel and Their Subsequent Roles – NZME and its predecessors have been a training ground for many who moved on to influential positions:
Sir John Anderson (deceased) – Former chairman of Wilson & Horton (pre-NZME Herald publisher) who was a prominent figure in business and advised government on various projects.
Tim Murphy – Long-time Editor-in-Chief of the NZ Herald (2001–2014), who after leaving co-founded independent outlet Newsroom and became a leading media commentator.
Bill Ralston – One-time talk host at Newstalk ZB who later headed TVNZ News and became an adviser in local politics.
Matthew Hooton – A NZME columnist and radio commentator who is also a well-known political lobbyist; he left his NZ Herald column briefly in 2020 to serve as an advisor to the National Party leader, then returned to media. Hooton’s dual identity as a PR consultant and media commentator exemplifies potential conflicts.
(These examples show NZME’s legacy of alumni who have moved into political, lobbying, or leadership roles elsewhere, indicating the company’s role in cultivating individuals who go on to shape public policy or corporate strategy.)
Clients: N/A – NZME is a media content company and does not have “clients” in the traditional lobbying sense. Its revenues come from advertisers and subscribers rather than providing consultancy to external clients. In a broad sense, NZME’s “clients” are its advertisers (businesses who buy ad space) and audience (readers, listeners) – for example, major advertisers include real estate companies (via OneRoof property listings) and corporate sponsors – but NZME does not act as an agent representing clients’ interests to government. (This contrasts with lobbying firms; NZME’s influence is exerted through its own media platforms rather than on behalf of paying clients.)
Industries / Sectors Represented: N/A (Media Organisation) – NZME does not represent external industries; rather it is itself part of the media industry. Through its advertising business, NZME works with virtually every sector (from real estate and automotive to finance and government advertising), but it is not a representative or lobbyist for those sectors. (Instead, NZME “represents” the press and broadcasting sector. It does, however, cater heavily to certain sectors for revenue – e.g. real estate, retail and banking are key advertising categories – which creates a potential dependency, discussed later.)
Publicly Disclosed Engagements: Media Industry Submissions & Initiatives – NZME’s direct lobbying engagements are rarely publicised, but it has participated in industry advocacy:
Regulatory Submissions: NZME has made submissions to regulators and government inquiries on media policy – for instance, arguing in favour of its attempted merger with Stuff in 2016–2017 (Commerce Commission hearings) and pushing for fairer competition with global tech platforms (leading to the 2022 Commerce Commission study of digital markets). It also voiced concerns during the 2022 proposal to merge public broadcasters RNZ and TVNZ, cautioning about market impact (via media interviews and presumably submissions).
Parliamentary Appearances: NZME executives occasionally appear before select committees on matters affecting the media (such as film classification, privacy law, or disinformation regulation), though specifics are not always publicly detailed.
Media Industry Forums: NZME is an active participant in the Media Freedom Committee and has engaged with government on issues like the News Media Bargaining Code (advocating mechanisms for Google/Facebook to pay NZ news publishers).
(Overall, NZME’s lobbying is usually through industry bodies or public campaigns rather than standalone declarations. There is no statutory lobbyist register in NZ; however, NZME’s interactions with officials – such as lobbying for Covid-19 support in 2020 – have been reported in news stories rather than formal disclosures.)
Affiliations: Industry Associations and Alliances – NZME is a member of multiple media and business associations, including:
News Publishers’ Association (NPA): The industry body for newspaper and digital news publishers. NZME’s executives (CEO Michael Boggs and others) sit on the NPA board, collaborating with competitor Stuff on press freedom and standards.
Radio Broadcasters Association (RBA): NZME (with its Newstalk ZB, ZM, etc.) is a full member of the RBA, which represents commercial radio operators in dealings with government (e.g. spectrum, advertising codes).
Media Freedom Committee: An editors’ group promoting press freedom. NZME’s editors are active participants, jointly opposing threats to journalistic freedom or onerous regulations.
New Zealand Initiative: NZME as a company is not officially listed as a member of this pro-business think tank, but its former Chair Barbara Chapman was Deputy Chair of the Initiative’s board, indicating close ties. NZME’s outlets often cover Initiative research and provide op-eds from its members, reflecting a congenial relationship.
BusinessNZ / Auckland Chamber of Commerce: NZME collaborates on events like “Mood of the Boardroom” (an annual CEO survey published by the Herald) and business awards, aligning it with business lobby groups in spirit if not formally.
(Through these affiliations, NZME interfaces with policymakers alongside peers – for example, the NPA and RBA make joint submissions to government on law changes affecting media. NZME’s influence is thus amplified via collective industry voices.)
Sponsorships / Collaborations: NZME actively partners with organisations and sponsors events to boost its brand and community profile:
One New Zealand Warriors (NRL team): NZME has an exclusive media partnership with the Warriors, recently extended to a 32-year relationship – NZME provides news, entertainment audio, and promotional support as the club’s official media partner.
Eden Park Stadium: NZME is the exclusive media partner of Eden Park (NZ’s largest stadium in Auckland), a collaboration renewed through 2024–2026. This involves NZME promoting Eden Park events across its platforms.
Netball New Zealand (Silver Ferns): A multi-year media partnership where NZME (via Newstalk ZB and the Herald) covers netball events and receives branding rights, supporting women’s sport (as announced 2023–24).
World of WearableArt (WOW): NZME is a media partner for this iconic arts event, showcasing creative fashion design. It secured rights to promote and cover WOW to broad audiences.
NZ Cup & Show Week: NZME proudly sponsors Canterbury’s annual racing and agriculture festival, leveraging its reach to highlight the event nationwide.
Community Sponsorships: NZME’s radio stations sponsor local events (e.g. ZB backing charitable appeals, The Hits radio sponsoring regional festivals).
(These sponsorships serve both commercial and public relations purposes – extending NZME’s influence in communities and aligning the company with popular sports, arts, and cultural institutions.)
Events (Organised by NZME): NZME has an events division that hosts public exhibitions and business events:
Women’s Lifestyle Expo: A two-day expo for women’s products and services, run in multiple cities by NZME Events. It features 100–200 exhibitors and attracts thousands of attendees.
Home & Lifestyle Show: A home improvement and lifestyle exhibition touring regional centres (Northland, Rotorua, Manawatū, etc.) with hundreds of vendors, produced by NZME’s events team.
Herald Premium Business Forums: NZME has organised subscriber-only forums and breakfast events where business leaders and politicians discuss current issues (often tied to the Herald’s “Mood of the Boardroom” or other coverage).
Awards & Conferences: The company hosts annual awards like the NZ Herald Property Awards (in association with OneRoof) and has co-hosted election debates or political town halls via Newstalk ZB.
Virtual Events: During Covid-19, NZME pivoted to webinars and online events (such as NZ Herald pivoting to virtual conferences on travel, or iHeartRadio streaming concerts).
(Event hosting is both a revenue stream and a means for NZME to convene influencers and policymakers in forums that can set agendas. For example, an NZME-run business breakfast might feature the Finance Minister outlining policy, generating headlines via NZME’s own outlets.)
Political Donations: None Disclosed – There is no public record of NZME Limited making donations to political parties or candidates in New Zealand. As a news organisation, NZME generally avoids direct political funding that could compromise its perceived independence. Electoral Commission donation returns for recent years do not list NZME or its subsidiaries as donors (above the reporting threshold). (Individual executives or board members may donate in a personal capacity – for instance, past director Sir John Loughlin donated to a political party in the 2000s – but the company itself does not engage in partisan donations. Instead, NZME wields political influence via its media content rather than through monetary contributions.)
Controversies: Major Issues and Scandals Involving NZME:
Attempted Media Merger: In 2016–2017, NZME and rival Stuff (Fairfax NZ) sought to merge, a move the Commerce Commission blocked over media plurality concerns. NZME controversially took the regulator to court and continued merger overtures through 2018–19. In 2020, NZME made an aggressive bid to acquire Stuff for $1, even lobbying the government for facilitation; this fell apart amid public criticism and ended with Stuff’s management buyout. The merger saga raised alarm about one company dominating NZ media and was described as a potential threat to democracy by opponents.
Boardroom Battles (2023–2025): A shareholder revolt emerged led by billionaire Jim Grenon, who in 2025 attempted to oust most of NZME’s board, citing poor performance. Allegations arose that Grenon and certain investors acted “in concert” without a formal takeover, prompting scrutiny by the Takeovers Panel. The dispute, which included public war-of-words in media, was only resolved when NZME agreed to refresh its board (bringing in Steven Joyce as Chair) to appease restive shareholders. This turbulence revealed rifts between management and major investors over NZME’s strategy and editorial direction (some rebel investors accused the company of underperformance and perhaps ideological drift).
Editorial Influence & “Woke” Debate: In 2023–24, NZME’s flagship Herald came under fire from both sides of the political spectrum – some accusing it of being “too woke/liberal” and others of a rightward shift. Notably, former staff and competitors remarked on the Herald “inching right” by platforming conservative columnists and anti-government opinion pieces. At the same time, talk radio host Sean Plunket lambasted NZME for prior “woke” content and cheered the influence of new shareholders in steering the company’s editorial tone more to the right. This public controversy highlighted the tension between NZME’s commercial strategy (catering to certain audience segments) and its stated editorial independence.
Advertising & Integrity Issues: NZME has faced criticism for blurring lines between advertising and editorial. A high-profile example was the Hobson’s Pledge incident in August 2024, when the NZ Herald ran a wrap-around front-page ad from a lobby group opposing Māori tribal co-governance. The ad placement sparked backlash from Māori leaders and even the Broadcasting Minister, who called it “disgraceful” and accused the Herald of taking money to promote divisive, race-based messaging. Under pressure, NZME cancelled a second planned ad and launched a review of its advocacy advertising policies. This controversy, along with past instances of advertorials (sponsored content) being insufficiently labeled, has dented NZME’s trust ratings in some quarters.
Real Estate Coverage Conflict: Media academics and critics have pointed out NZME’s heavy reliance on real estate advertising (through its property platform OneRoof and related publications) as a conflict of interest. There is public cynicism that the Herald’s property reporting skews optimistic to please advertisers such as developers and realtors. For example, NZME’s insertion of OneRoof property supplements and house price boosterism has been labeled “property porn” by detractors, raising questions about whether aggressive advertising targets influence editorial choices (NZME denies any such influence, but the perception persists).
Covid-19 Measures: In early 2020, NZME drew criticism for its handling of the pandemic’s impact. It sought to cut staff pay and then laid off 200 employees after taking a generous wage subsidy from the government. Some commentators blasted NZME for accepting $8.6 million in taxpayer support to “retain jobs” only to slash jobs and later consider resuming dividends. NZME was not alone in this, but the episode fueled debate about corporate media’s commitment to public interest vs. profit in crisis times.
Other Incidents: Past blunders include the NZ Herald’s short-lived publication of a scurrilous column in 2014 (leading to the resignation of an editor), and periodic accusations of plagiarism or factual errors in NZME stories that required public apologies. While not systemic scandals, these incidents contribute to public wariness about NZME’s editorial standards and governance.
Other Information of Note (Media and Public Profile): NZME occupies a dominant place in New Zealand’s media landscape and wields considerable soft power:
Market Position: NZME’s New Zealand Herald is the country’s highest-circulation daily newspaper and a leading news website, and its Newstalk ZB is the top-rating talk radio network. This reach (claimed at ~3.5 million people weekly across platforms) gives NZME significant agenda-setting ability in politics and society. Politicians court coverage in NZME outlets, and Herald headlines often drive nationwide news conversations (as well as talkback radio debates on ZB).
Political Alignment Perception: Historically seen as a centre-right-leaning media house (the Herald was once nicknamed the “National Party Herald” in Labour circles), NZME in recent years has tried to balance viewpoints. It employs prominent conservative voices (Mike Hosking, Heather du Plessis-Allan, Matthew Hooton) as well as moderate/liberal columnists. In the 2020–2023 period, observers noted Stuff (its main competitor) took a more progressive stance while the Herald became a platform for “anti-woke” sentiment. This ideological positioning is part of NZME’s public profile and a subject of analysis in media commentary.
Public Subsidies and “Media Independence”: NZME’s participation in the government’s Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) – it received about $6.88 million for newsroom initiatives from 2021–2023 – became a talking point. Critics (including opposition politicians like Winston Peters) alleged this was a government “bribe” softening media coverage, a charge NZME’s editors have vigorously denied. The Herald even ran pieces defending editorial integrity and noting that while it took PIJF funds for specific projects (Māori and regional journalism), it continued holding the government to account. This debate over funding has kept NZME in the spotlight regarding media freedom.
Competition and Comparisons: NZME is often compared with Stuff Ltd, its main rival which is now locally owned by a trust. Stuff has made moves like declaring a climate emergency stance and eschewing clickbait, whereas NZME has been more traditional/commercial in approach. TVNZ and RNZ (state-owned broadcasters) are also key players; unlike those, NZME must satisfy shareholders and advertisers, which some argue makes it more susceptible to commercial influence. NZME’s radio division also competes with MediaWorks (owner of rival talk station Today FM until its closure in 2023). These comparisons frequently surface in public discourse, especially when issues of media bias or concentration are discussed.
“Integrity Washing” Efforts: To bolster public trust, NZME touts its editorial principles and has joined industry initiatives like the Media Council for self-regulation. It highlights investigative reporting awards won by its journalists and partnerships on civic projects (e.g. sponsoring debates on democracy). However, critics label some of this as “integrity washing” – pointing out that overt PR campaigns (like NZME’s “We’re for Auckland” slogan or Herald editorials vowing balance) sometimes ring hollow when, concurrently, the company monetises partisan opinion and advertorial content. Balancing profit with principled journalism remains an ongoing challenge noted in NZME’s public narrative.
Recipient of Wage Subsidy Scheme: Yes – NZME received government wage subsidies during the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first half of 2020 it drew NZ$8.6 million from the Covid-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme to support retaining staff when advertising revenues plunged. The subsidy helped keep NZME marginally profitable through that crisis. However, NZME still implemented cost-cutting (including staff salary reductions and 200 redundancies) in 2020. The company did not repay the subsidy and later defended its use of the funds as necessary to ensure the survival of news services. NZME’s acceptance of the wage subsidy, followed by a return to dividend payments by 2021, was noted in public debates on corporate accountability.
Sources:
NZME Director David Gibson Resigns Amid Growing Boardroom …, Kapitales – Snippet on NZME Limited (NZX: NZM) company number and NZBN – (kapitales.co.nz)
NZME LIMITED (NZBN: 9429036668007) - company information, Company Hub NZ – Company number, NZBN, and address details for NZME Limited – (companyhub.nz)
NZME LIMITED | New Zealand Business Directory, NZWAO – Historical names (Wilson & Horton, APN) and incorporation date of NZME – (nzwao.com)
Fletcher Building Annual Report 2020 – Barbara Chapman profile, Fletcher Building / ASX – Barbara Chapman’s roles (Genesis Energy Chair, NZME Chair, NZ Initiative Deputy Chair) – (asx.com.au)
Fletcher Building Annual Report 2020 – Directors’ interests, Fletcher Building / ASX – Barbara Chapman listed as NZME Chair and member of PM’s Advisory Council – (asx.com.au)
NZX Company Analysis – NZME Limited (NZM), NZX.com – NZME demerger from APN in June 2016 and listing information – (nzx.com)
NZX Company Analysis – Performance Highlights, NZX.com – NZME reach of 3.5 million across audio, publishing, OneRoof (Feb 2025) – (nzx.com)
MarketScreener – NZME Ltd Shareholders, MarketScreener – Major shareholders: Spheria ~19%, James (Jim) Grenon ~13%, Pinnacle ~9.7%, Osmium ~6.5%, Repertoire ~2.6% – (marketscreener.com)
RNZ News – Billionaire Jim Grenon’s NZME shake-up draws Takeovers Panel’s attention, Radio NZ (Mar 2025) – Grenon’s 9.3% stake and move to replace board; Takeovers Panel consideration; Spheria’s 19% backing Grenon – (rnz.co.nz)
Kapitales – NZME Appoints Steven Joyce as Chair Amid Shareholder Tensions, Kapitales (May 2025) – Former Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce to become NZME Chair; Spheria (19% holder) supports move; Joyce’s governance and media policy background “ticks all the boxes” per Spheria – (kapitales.co.nz)
LinkedIn – NZME LinkedIn Page, LinkedIn – Company size 1,001–5,000, HQ Auckland, type Public Company; description of NZME connecting with 3.6 million Kiwis weekly across digital, print, radio – (linkedin.com)
IBISWorld Company Profile – NZME Limited, IBISWorld – NZME employs ~1,370 people and operates nationwide; listed on NZX/ASX – (ibisworld.com)
RNZ News – NZME turns a page on profits after slump, RNZ (Aug 2020) – NZME half-year profit aided by $8.6m wage subsidy; 200 jobs cut; failed Stuff bid referenced – (rnz.co.nz)
Taxpayers’ Union – Public Interest Journalism Fund Recipients, NZ Taxpayers Union (June 2023) – NZME received $6.88 million from PIJF for cadetships, Māori content, court reporting, local journalism (plus $635k indirect funding) – (taxpayers.org.nz)
RNZ Mediawatch – News media’s online dependence: From paper to platform, RNZ/Colin Peacock (Dec 2023) – Winston Peters claimed the $55m PIJF “bribed the media”; backlash over fund’s perceived skew of coverage “even though it didn’t” – (nzherald.co.nz via RNZ)
The Spinoff – RIP Centrism: Why Stuff is moving left while the Herald inches right, The Spinoff/Hal Crawford (Nov 2021) – NZ media becoming ideologically differentiated; NZME (Herald, ZB) seen as a “nest of conservatism” by some, vs Stuff/RNZ seen as “woke” – differences smaller than Australia’s partisans, but NZME already has right-wing commentators like Mike Hosking and Matthew Hooton – (thespinoff.co.nz)
LinkedIn (The Platform) – Bryce Edwards on the “anti-woke revolution” at the NZ Herald, Sean Plunket interview (Oct 2023) – Discussion that foreign hedge funds owned NZME and embraced “wokeism”; new investors (including billionaire Grenon) worked in concert to remove board for not doing job; implies they opposed perceived woke culture in NZME’s newsroom – (linkedin.com / theplatform.kiwi)
RNZ News – NZME to review advertising policies after Hobson’s Pledge ad, RNZ (Aug 2024) – Front-page wrap ad by lobby group Hobson’s Pledge (7 Aug 2024 Herald) sparked backlash; NZME to review advocacy ad policies; Willie Jackson calls it “disgraceful” and compares it to taking KKK money; Herald cancels a second Hobson’s ad and faces public debate on racism and advertising ethics – (rnz.co.nz)
NZ Herald – Media plurality report off target on tech giants (Editorial), NZ Herald (2022) – Herald editorial critiquing a media plurality report; NZME’s viewpoint on digital platforms influence (context for its lobbying on Google/Facebook) – (nzherald.co.nz)
NZ Herald – About NZ Herald: Honest, impartial independent news (Advertising disclaimer), NZ Herald – Disclosure that all advertising and sponsored content is clearly disclosed and commercial relationships do not impact news coverage – statement of principle – (nzherald.co.nz/about)
BusinessDesk – NZME eyes 2021 dividend after Covid tightening, BusinessDesk (Dec 2020) – NZME expecting to beat 2020 earnings in 2021 even without subsidy; signals resumption of dividends (context: received subsidy in H1 2020) – (businessdesk.co.nz)
RNZ News – More shots fired in NZME takeover attempt, RNZ (Mar 2025) – Related story on Grenon’s move, mentions investors working in concert (Caniwi Capital ~0.8%, etc.), and governance fight – (rnz.co.nz)
1News – Waatea News cuts ties with NZ Herald over Hobson’s Pledge ad, TVNZ/1News (Aug 2024) – Waatea News (Māori radio) ended content sharing with Herald after the ad, citing breach of trust – (1news.co.nz)
Democracy Project Substack – Launching the NZ Lobbying & Influence Register, Bryce Edwards (2023) – Context of why media companies like NZME are included as powerful influencers in the register – (democracyproject.substack.com)
The Democracy Project – Barfoot & Thompson: real estate donations, Bryce Edwards – Mentions a real estate “bigwig” donor; context for media’s relation to real estate interests – (democracyproject.substack.com)
NZ Herald – Bryce Edwards’ Political Roundup: Lobbyist says …, NZ Herald – A column by Edwards on lobbying, indicates Herald publishes pieces on lobbying transparency while itself employing lobbyists as columnists (Matthew Hooton) – (nzherald.co.nz)
Media Bias/Fact Check – New Zealand Herald, MBFC – Rates NZ Herald as “minimal bias” news, noting separation of news and opinion, but lists right-leaning opinion hosts – (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
Merja Myllylahti Academic Paper (2022) – Noted that NZME took public funding while increasing dividends, an “unintended consequence” of PIJF – highlighting conflict in using public money for private gain – (tandfonline.com)
NZX Announcement – NZME Takeovers Panel determination, NZX (May 2025) – NZX release about Panel decision regarding Grenon, mentions Caniwi Capital 1.674% acting in concert – (nzx.com)
Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz