Television New Zealand

1. Official Name: Television New Zealand Limited (trading as TVNZ).

2. Established: 1980 – formed by a merger of two government-owned TV channels, TV One and South Pacific Television.

3. Legal Status: 100% state-owned media company (a Crown entity company under the Television New Zealand Act 2003). TVNZ operates as a commercial broadcaster with a public mandate, but its formal public service Charter was abolished in 2011 under the National government.

4. Company Registration: NZBN 9429039404619; NZ Companies Office #408578 (incorporated 30 November 1988).

5. Ownership: Wholly owned by the New Zealand Government. Shares are held on behalf of the Crown by the Minister of Finance and Minister for Broadcasting/Media. TVNZ is structured as a Crown-owned company required to adhere to the Companies Act 1993 and the TVNZ Act.

6. Governance & Board: Governance is by a Board of Directors appointed by the Government (formally by the Minister for Broadcasting & Media). As of 2023, the Board Chair is Alastair Carruthers (appointed 1 July 2023) and Deputy Chair Ripeka Evans, both appointed by then-Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson. Other current board members include former journalist-turned-lawyer Linda Clark and various industry professionals. Board members serve fixed terms (typically 2–3 years) and are expected to balance commercial and public-interest objectives. Political appointments have occasionally raised conflict-of-interest concerns (e.g. Carruthers simultaneously chaired the NZ Film Commission, prompting questions about overlapping roles).

7. Executive Leadership: The Chief Executive Officer is Jodi O’Donnell (appointed January 2024, TVNZ’s first female CEO). O’Donnell is a 20+ year TVNZ veteran who previously served as Commercial Director. She succeeded Simon Power, a former Cabinet Minister (National Party) who was CEO from March 2022 until June 2023. Power’s appointment exemplified the “revolving door” between politics and state media: as a ex-MP and Minister, his move to TVNZ’s top job drew scrutiny for potential political influence on the broadcaster. (Power resigned after 15 months, amid post-merger uncertainties – see below.) TVNZ’s acting head of news and current affairs is Brent McAnulty (Chief News & Content Officer).

8. Headquarters: TVNZ’s head office is in Auckland (100 Victoria Street West). It also maintains a major news bureau in Wellington (Press Gallery office in Parliament) and regional news offices.

9. Channels & Services: TVNZ is New Zealand’s largest free-to-air broadcaster. It operates multiple television channels: flagship TVNZ 1, entertainment channel TVNZ 2, youth-oriented TVNZ Duke, plus online streaming platform TVNZ+ (formerly TVNZ OnDemand). It produces the country’s highest-rating TV news 1 News (6pm bulletin) and other news programmes (e.g. Breakfast, Seven Sharp, Sunday). TVNZ also has a content arm for advertising and production (TVNZ Blacksand) and maintains the 1News.co.nz digital news site.

10. Audience Reach: TVNZ’s channels collectively reach the broad majority of New Zealand viewers. 1 News is consistently one of the most-watched and trusted news sources in the country. A 2024 survey found TVNZ was cited by the largest share of New Zealanders as their “most trusted” news source – an “exceptional result” according to media analysts. However, viewership for traditional TV has been trending downwards in the face of digital competition.

11. Mission & Charter: Under its governing law, TVNZ’s statutory functions are to be a successful business and a provider of content reflecting NZ identity and culture. Historically, TVNZ had a public service Charter (2003–2011) obliging it to air high-quality local programming and serve minorities, but this dual mandate was removed in 2011 as the company was “shackled” by competing aims according to the government of the day. Since then TVNZ’s formal mandate is overwhelmingly commercial – it must operate as a self-funding business – though it often claims an ongoing commitment to public interest content.

12. Regulatory Oversight: Unlike fully public-funded broadcasters, TVNZ is not subject to direct ministerial editorial control – the TVNZ Act 2003 explicitly protects editorial independence. The Minister for Broadcasting is the shareholding minister setting expectations via annual letters and can influence strategy (e.g. via board appointments or financial targets) but cannot direct day-to-day programming. Content is regulated by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) – TVNZ must adhere to codes of practice for balance, accuracy, decency etc., with complaints adjudicated by the BSA. (Notably, TVNZ has faced BSA complaints for perceived bias or unfairness, including high-profile cases involving its presenters – see Controversies below.) TVNZ is not fully subject to the Official Information Act 1982, due to its commercial status. It answers OIA requests only on certain matters and has declined others, leading to criticism about transparency for a public-owned entity.

13. Funding Model: Commercial advertising revenue is TVNZ’s primary income source, accounting for roughly 90% of total funding. In the year to June 2022, TVNZ earned NZ$341 million from advertising and other commercial activities. By FY2023, revenue was NZ$327 million amid a soft ad market. TVNZ receives the remaining ~10% of income from government sources, predominantly through NZ On Air contestable funding for specific New Zealand programs and one-off public media initiatives. Unlike RNZ, TVNZ does not receive a direct annual government subsidy for operations – it is expected to pay its own way via advertising.

14. Profitability: TVNZ’s profit has fluctuated with advertising conditions. It traditionally paid annual dividends to the Crown, but in recent years financial pressures have shifted it toward a break-even footing. In 2019 TVNZ announced it would suspend dividends indefinitely to reinvest in digital capability and local content, effectively becoming a not-for-profit entity for the “foreseeable future”. The government agreed, with Minister Kris Faafoi saying he was comfortable foregoing dividends to focus on “the future sustainability of the business”. TVNZ subsequently posted net losses as it boosted spending on content and weathered a declining linear TV ad market. In 2023, the company reported a NZ$25–30 million operating loss (and a one-off accounting write-down taking total loss to $85m) – “all bad” financial news that year. This has raised concerns about TVNZ’s long-term viability without either new funding or cost-cutting.

15. Public Funding & Relief: Although primarily commercial, TVNZ has benefited from government support at critical times. In 2020, when COVID-19 pummeled advertising, the government gave TVNZ emergency financial relief as part of a $50m media support package. This included waiving ~$21m in TV transmission fees and offering up to $30m in equity capital if needed. TVNZ also received funding for specific public-interest content roles through the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) in 2021–2022 (a $55m one-time fund to shore up media during COVID). The PIJF paid for dozens of journalism jobs across NZ media, including at TVNZ. While the government touted this as supporting vital reporting, critics – including opposition parties – alleged it amounted to a “$55 million… bribe” for media that could compromise editorial independence. (TVNZ and the fund’s administrators refuted this, noting political coverage was explicitly excluded from PIJF funding.)

16. Business Partnerships: TVNZ is a founding partner of Freeview, the free-to-air digital TV platform launched in 2007. Freeview is a joint venture of TVNZ, Warner Bros. Discovery NZ (Three), Whakaata Māori (Māori Television), and RNZ. It provides free digital terrestrial and satellite television access. TVNZ is also a member of industry groups like the NZ Television Broadcasters Council (defunct) and engages with global media through content licensing deals (for example, TVNZ has secured exclusive programming output agreements with international studios to feed its channels and TVNZ+ service). Historically, TVNZ has participated in the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and other public broadcasting forums, given its state media role.

17. Government Relations & Lobbying: TVNZ, though state-owned, has its own government relations strategy. Uniquely, in 2022 it hired external consultants with political ties to help navigate a major policy change – the proposed merger with RNZ. The company brought in two former National Party advisors, Brent Webling and Gregory Church, as consultants on the merger planning, without public announcement. Their behind-the-scenes brief was reportedly to leverage political contacts and “change the narrative” around the merger’s structure in TVNZ’s favour. (Webling, notably, is a former press secretary to National leaders and was a registered lobbyist with a Parliamentary pass.) TVNZ insists these consultants were not formally “lobbying” on its behalf. However, their quiet engagement with officials and ministers raised eyebrows – even the Broadcasting Minister questioned why TVNZ had brought in “National Party mates” during a Labour-driven policy process. This episode highlighted TVNZ’s willingness to act like a private-sector player in shaping policy, despite its public ownership.

18. RNZ Merger Stance: The now-scrapped plan to merge TVNZ with Radio NZ (into a new entity, Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media) revealed TVNZ’s political influence. Publicly, TVNZ’s leadership gave qualified support to the merger – CEO Simon Power said he backed the idea “in principle” of a strong public media entity but privately he raised concerns that the draft model was “poorly constructed” and might undermine TVNZ’s editorial independence and commercial revenue. TVNZ was widely seen as lukewarm or skeptical of the merger, in contrast to RNZ’s enthusiasm. It spent at least $590,000 on merger preparations (by Oct. 2022), including the above consultants. The company’s maneuvering came to naught when the Government (under new PM Chris Hipkins) abruptly cancelled the merger in February 2023 for cost-saving reasons. The cancellation “strengthened RNZ and left TVNZ in limbo,” according to commentators – RNZ was rewarded with a funding boost, whereas TVNZ was left to continue commercially with no extra support. Soon after, CEO Simon Power resigned, and questions arose about TVNZ’s future strategic direction. The merger saga exemplified TVNZ’s political tightrope: it had to publicly toe the government line while quietly pushing back to protect its autonomy and business interests.

19. Financial Interests & Advertising: As a commercially funded outlet, TVNZ is deeply entwined with corporate advertisers. Advertising revenue drives programming decisions – popular entertainment shows and sports that draw ratings are prioritized. This has led to periodic criticism that TVNZ chases ratings over quality. Competing private media have also complained that TVNZ’s state ownership gives it unfair advantages. For example, rival MediaWorks has argued that TVNZ’s ability to drop profitability (with government backstop) distorts the market. In 2019, MediaWorks’ CEO described TVNZ’s cushion (e.g. being able to halt dividends and receive public funds for content) as a “state liferaft” enabling TVNZ to undercut purely commercial players. TVNZ’s dual role – a state asset expected to be profitable and a quasi-public broadcaster – has often put it at odds with private-sector rivals and raised the question: Is TVNZ a public service or just another commercial network? Successive governments have sent mixed signals on this, oscillating between profit-driven expectations and public service aspirations.

20. Political Role & Influence: As the national TV broadcaster, TVNZ holds significant sway over public opinion and political discourse. Its news and current affairs programs (e.g. 1 News, Q+A, Breakfast) often set the agenda. Politicians court TVNZ for coverage, and its election year debates and interviews can influence voter perceptions. Government relations with TVNZ have thus at times been fraught. There is a longstanding tension between ensuring editorial independence and the government’s stake as owner. Ministers have occasionally bristled at TVNZ’s coverage – for instance, in 2022 the then Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson publicly scolded a TVNZ interviewer on-air, accusing him of having “National Party mates” influencing the narrative. In late 2023, new shareholding minister David Seymour (ACT Party leader) openly attacked TVNZ’s political reporters, accusing 1 News of bias and “immaturity” in its coverage. TVNZ “hit back” with an unusual public statement defending its editorial independence and asking politicians to respect the media. This rare public spat underscored concerns of media pressure from government figures, especially alarming given Seymour’s role overseeing TVNZ. Press freedom watchdogs (RSF) even urged the Prime Minister to rein in such attacks on TVNZ journalists.

21. Transparency & Accountability: TVNZ asserts that it is committed to transparency in its operations. In 2024, amid public debate on media trust, TVNZ published detailed statements on its newsroom policies, standards, and even how it handles errors. This move to “shore up trust” came as trust in media was under scrutiny and followed the station’s announcement of large losses and cost-cutting (which themselves led to audience backlash). Critics labeled such efforts “integrity washing” – PR-driven displays of accountability without substantive change. For example, while TVNZ now touts its editorial independence frequently, skeptics point out it failed to disclose certain conflicts in the past (e.g. not publicizing upfront the political affiliations of some presenters) and only reacted once caught in a controversy. Moreover, TVNZ is exempt from some oversight mechanisms that apply to public agencies, which limits external accountability. It is not covered by the Ombudsman Act or Public Audit Office in the same way as core Crown entities; and as noted, it largely sits outside OIA transparency requirements. Internal accountability is meant to come via its Board and the Minister’s monitoring – yet political appointments to the Board mean oversight can be politicized. This structural opacity has led watchdog groups to call for TVNZ to be brought more fully into public transparency regimes, especially given its pivotal role in democracy.

22. Affiliations & Relationships: TVNZ has close links with other entities in the media and cultural sector. It works with NZ On Air (the government broadcasting funding agency) to co-finance local content – many TVNZ shows (dramas, documentaries, Māori language programs, etc.) only happen with NZ On Air grants. TVNZ is also intertwined with the government’s cultural agencies: for instance, board members sometimes simultaneously serve on bodies like Creative NZ or NZ Film Commission (as with Chair Alastair Carruthers, raising conflict questions). TVNZ’s news operation is part of the collective NZ Media Freedom Committee and has joint initiatives such as the “Local Democracy Reporting” scheme (which it participates in alongside RNZ and newspapers, funded by NZ On Air). Internationally, TVNZ has been a member of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union and maintains news content-sharing with global networks (it often airs BBC, ABC Australia or CNN reports, and in turn provides footage of NZ events to international broadcasters). These affiliations enhance TVNZ’s reach but also embed it within a web of both public and commercial interests.

23. Notable Personnel (Past & Present): TVNZ has been home to many high-profile New Zealand media figures, some of whom have moved into politics or vice versa:

• Kris Faafoi – a former TVNZ political reporter who became a Labour MP and eventually the Broadcasting Minister (2018–2022), overseeing policy directly affecting his old employer. Faafoi’s dual perspective (journalist-turned-politician) exemplified the revolving door and raised awareness in Cabinet of media issues (he later left Parliament to start a lobbying firm).

• Simon Power – as noted, went from National Party Cabinet Minister to TVNZ CEO, a transition that prompted commentary about political influence in the state broadcaster’s leadership.

• Kevin Kenrick – TVNZ’s long-serving CEO (2012–2022) with no political background, he was credited with steadying the company commercially. However, Kenrick notably clashed with government expectations around public service content, and under his tenure TVNZ leaned heavily into profitable reality shows and entertainment.

• Therese Walsh – a former TVNZ Board Chair (2015–2019) appointed under the National government, known to have had close ties to ministers. She managed delicate issues like the closure of youth channel TVNZ U and was involved in early merger talks.

• Jessica Mutch McKay – TVNZ’s 1 News Political Editor (2018–2023), who resigned to become Head of Government Relations at ANZ Bank in 2024. Her jump from leading political journalism to a corporate lobbying role at a major bank was widely noted as a prime example of the media–politics revolving door. (Mutch McKay had covered Parliament and grilled politicians; now she directly lobbies those same institutions on behalf of a bank.) Observers raised questions about whether such career moves could affect a journalist’s reporting prior to departure, and called for clearer cooling-off periods.

• Maiki Sherman – a current TVNZ journalist, recently promoted to Political Editor (2023). Sherman is also chair of the Press Gallery. She has a reputation for tough reporting on government, which has made her a target of political criticism (e.g. ACT’s David Seymour singled her out for alleged bias in 2023). Sherman’s prominence as a Māori woman in a key editorial role is significant for TVNZ’s diversity goals.

• John Campbell – a veteran broadcaster who joined TVNZ in 2018 after a career in private media. Campbell was a champion of public interest journalism at TVNZ (hosting current affairs on Breakfast and Sunday) but left in 2022 amid restructuring. His exit sparked conversation about the balance between serious journalism and commercial content at TVNZ.

• Mike Hosking – although primarily a radio host, Hosking co-hosted TVNZ’s Seven Sharp and has been one of TVNZ’s most polarising figures. An openly opinionated commentator, his perceived political bias (right-leaning) led to controversy when TVNZ selected him to moderate election debates. In 2017, thousands petitioned to have him removed as debate moderator, citing lack of neutrality. TVNZ stood by Hosking at the time, but critics argued his dual role as a partisan radio pundit undermined TVNZ’s impartiality. This highlighted inconsistent standards – reporters like Shane Taurima were censured for political involvement, while hosts like Hosking (deemed “entertainers”) had more leeway.

• Barbara Dreaver – TVNZ’s longtime Pacific correspondent. Her work exemplifies TVNZ’s unique role as a public broadcaster – she covers Pacific Island stories often ignored by commercial media. Dreaver was temporarily detained by Nauru’s government in 2018 while reporting on a Pacific Islands Forum, which became a diplomatic incident and underscored the importance of TVNZ’s independent journalism in the region.

• Phillip Sherry, Judy Bailey, Sir Paul Holmes and other past luminaries served as the “face” of TVNZ news in earlier decades, becoming household names. They lent credibility to TVNZ as the national broadcaster, though some (like Holmes) also courted controversy (Holmes once faced backlash for racist on-air remarks in 2003). These figures symbolize TVNZ’s historical influence on New Zealand’s cultural and political landscape.

24. Controversies & Scandals: TVNZ has been involved in numerous controversies, especially where politics and media intersect:

• Shane Taurima Affair (2014): TVNZ’s Māori and Pacific Unit manager Shane Taurima was found to have used TVNZ resources and premises to host Labour Party political meetings while an employee. A leaked memo revealed Taurima (a former Labour candidate aspirant) and staff organized a party hui inside TVNZ offices. Taurima resigned in disgrace. An independent review found he failed to disclose his political activities and that TVNZ staff engaged in “unacceptable” partisan use of company time and resources. While the review did not find evidence of on-air bias in Taurima’s programs, it slammed the breach of impartiality standards. TVNZ’s management admitted it was a mistake to re-hire Taurima after his first foray into politics. In response, TVNZ tightened its conflict-of-interest policies – political journalists were banned from party membership, and all news staff must now declare any political affiliations. This scandal raised serious questions about newsroom neutrality, and is often cited as a cautionary tale of political infiltration of state media.

• Party Membership Ban (2014): Following Taurima, TVNZ implemented a formal ban on its political reporters being members of any political party. General news staff must disclose any party membership to management. This policy, stricter than many newsrooms, aimed to bolster perceived independence. It drew praise for protecting impartiality, but also criticism from some who felt it infringed on employees’ private political rights. The rule remains in place – a notable standard in NZ media.

• Mike Hosking Bias Complaints (2014–2017): TVNZ faced public backlash for using Mike Hosking as an election debate moderator despite his known political leanings. Over 5,700 people signed a petition in 2017 objecting that Hosking was not neutral. TVNZ defended him as a professional, but later acknowledged the “perception issue.” In another instance, Hosking made an incorrect on-air statement about the Māori Party which prompted BSA complaints – TVNZ had to broadcast an apology in 2016. These incidents fueled debate over whether TVNZ was compromising its editorial standards to leverage Hosking’s popularity, and whether it applied a double-standard by tolerating bias from certain star presenters.

• Kamahl Santamaria Scandal (2022): TVNZ hired former Al Jazeera presenter Kamahl Santamaria as a Breakfast show host, but he abruptly resigned after just 32 days on air amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour. It emerged TVNZ had failed to fully vet Santamaria’s history – multiple women from his Al Jazeera tenure later alleged sexual harassment. An independent review found TVNZ’s recruitment process was deeply flawed: reference checks were not done and normal hiring protocols “were not followed” for this high-profile appointment. The review concluded TVNZ’s processes were “not suited” to identifying such risks in key roles. The Head of News, Paul Yurisich – who knew Santamaria from previous work – resigned as the “fall guy” after it was revealed he bypassed HR checks to fast-track Santamaria. The scandal rocked staff morale and led to heavy criticism of TVNZ’s leadership and transparency. Initially, TVNZ had cited a vague “family emergency” for Santamaria’s sudden absence, which the CEO later admitted was an inappropriate choice of words once the real issues came to light. Opposition MPs grilled TVNZ and the Minister about accountability, given the public ownership. The Santamaria saga exposed serious governance failings and suggested TVNZ’s culture was susceptible to lapses in judgment – a concerning find for a trusted national broadcaster.

• Political Interference Concerns: Over the years there have been periodic accusations that TVNZ’s news decisions bend to political pressure. For example, in 2010, TVNZ Breakfast host Paul Henry sparked diplomatic outrage by mocking an Indian official’s name and questioning if the Governor-General was “really a New Zealander.” The Prime Minister (John Key) appeared alongside Henry and chuckled, which critics said showed a cozy, uncritical relationship. Henry was eventually forced to resign after public outcry and even the India government’s protest. Some commentators cited this as evidence that TVNZ’s culture had allowed casual racism and lacked oversight – arguably influenced by wanting to please those in power (Henry was known to be close to Key). Conversely, governments have also accused TVNZ of bias against them – e.g. Labour ministers privately complained TVNZ’s coverage in the late 2000s was overly negative, and in 2020–21 opposition politicians (like Judith Collins) accused TVNZ of being soft on the Ardern government due to the journalism fund. While investigations haven’t proven systemic bias, such perceptions linger.

• Corporate Influence & Sponsorship: TVNZ has occasionally blurred lines between editorial content and commercial interests, drawing rebuke. There have also been questions about TVNZ’s reliance on certain major advertisers possibly tempering its journalism (for instance, limited investigative critique of large retail banks or telecommunications companies who are big advertisers). TVNZ insists church-and-state separation is maintained between advertising clients and news, but media watchdogs remain vigilant about subtle self-censorship for commercial reasons.

• TVNZ7 Closure (2012): Although not a “scandal” of misconduct, the shutdown of TVNZ’s highbrow non-commercial channel TVNZ7 was widely viewed as a blow to public service media and sparked public protests. The National government decided not to renew TVNZ7’s funding, leading to the channel going off-air despite a loyal audience. A lobby group “Save TVNZ7” accused the government and TVNZ of abandoning serious content in pursuit of profit. MPs from opposition parties lambasted the move as “torpedoing public broadcasting to third world levels”. TVNZ itself was ambivalent – as a commercial company it had struggled to integrate an ad-free channel. The closure underscored how political decisions (funding cuts) directly impact TVNZ’s ability to provide public-service programming.

• Editorial Independence Debates: Every election cycle, TVNZ faces criticism from one side or another about its coverage – a sign perhaps that it strikes a middle ground, but also that it’s under constant scrutiny given its state ownership. In 2023, as the general election approached, both left-wing and right-wing voices complained of bias at TVNZ. The Green Party accused TVNZ of giving too much platform to fringe anti-vax figures in the name of balance, while ACT and NZ First accused it of liberal bias due to the government’s journalism fund. TVNZ’s news editors have repeatedly had to publicly assert their independence, illustrating the fine line they walk.

25. Overall Reputation: TVNZ holds a complex place in New Zealand’s media and political ecosystem. It is simultaneously the most-watched broadcaster – enjoying considerable public trust in its news – and a frequent target of criticism regarding its integrity and performance. Its brand is that of a mainstream, somewhat conservative broadcaster aiming to offend as few as possible. This broad appeal has brought high trust, but also the derisive nickname “Television for New Zealand” implying it reflects establishment views. TVNZ’s own surveys often show viewers see it as reliable and community-focused, yet more niche audiences (e.g. younger, Māori, Pasifika) sometimes feel underserved by it compared to iwi or alternative media. The company’s recent challenges – financial strains, political conflicts, and internal scandals – have put its long-term direction in question. Still, TVNZ remains a central institution in New Zealand public life, and debates about its future (commercial vs public service, independent vs government-controlled) indicate its continuing importance in the democratic landscape.

Sources (Chronologically by Reference):

[1] “Television New Zealand (TVNZ) – State Media Monitor Profile,” StateMediaMonitor.com, https://statemediamonitor.com/2024/07/television-new-zealand-tvnz/
[2] “PM Confirms TVNZ Charter to be Axed,” RNZ News, 23 Mar 2009, https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/31054/pm-confirms-tvnz-charter-to-be-axed
[3] “Television New Zealand Limited – NZ Companies Office Data,” Company Hub NZ, 2023, https://companyhub.nz/companies/408578
[4] “TVNZ Board – Experienced Leaders Appointed to TVNZ and RNZ Boards,” Beehive.govt.nz (Minister Willie Jackson press release), 28 June 2023, https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/experienced-leaders-appointed-tvnz-and-rnz-boards
[5] “Political Editor Jessica Mutch McKay Quits TVNZ for Top ANZ Bank Corporate Role,” NZ Herald (Media Insider), 1 Jan 2024, https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/media-insider/political-editor-jessica-mutch-mckay-quits-tvnz-for-top-anz-bank-corporate-role-media-insider/GUOWYFRQIRGYDMARNGFXD2S4WA/
[6] “TVNZ Chief Executive Simon Power Stepping Down,” 1 News, 4 Apr 2023, https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/04/04/tvnz-chief-executive-simon-power-stepping-down/
[7] Simon Power (politician) – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Power#TVNZ
[8] “TVNZ Reveals New Chief Executive – Jodi O’Donnell to Become Broadcaster’s First Female CEO,” NZ Herald, 20 Dec 2023, (paywalled print edition cited)
[9] “TVNZ is the public television in New Zealand... (profile excerpt),” State Media Monitor, 11 Jul 2024
[10] “Most of the funding in TVNZ’s budget...90% is generated commercially,” State Media Monitor, 2024
[11] “Revealed: TVNZ’s plan to become a not-for-profit... (indefinite dividend halt),” The Spinoff, 27 Jul 2019
[12] “MediaWorks...CEO Michael Anderson...struggles of operating...with biggest player government-owned and able to decide level of return,” The Spinoff, 2019
[13] “Winston Peters...‘$55 million of bribery’...reference to the Public Interest Journalism Fund,” RNZ News, 28 Nov 2023
[14] “Collins questioned funding in Parliament asking whether it was buying compliance,” RNZ News, 28 Nov 2023
[15] “TVNZ hires National-aligned consultants...to ‘change the narrative’ on merger,” Newsroom via inkl, 8 Feb 2023
[16] “Webling...former press secretary to Brash, Key, English and to Power...on Speaker’s lobbyist register,” Newsroom/inkl, Feb 2023
[17] “Power suggested Webling would seek to ‘change the narrative’ around shape of new entity,” Newsroom/inkl, 2023
[18] “TVNZ has long been considered more sceptical of the merger plan than RNZ...spent $590k by Oct 2022 on merger prep,” Newsroom/inkl, 2023
[19] “Legislation...reported back with modifications making editorial independence explicit,” Newsroom/inkl, 2023
[20] “National promised to reverse merger if elected; actively opposed in 2022, slamming it daily as waste of money,” Newsroom/inkl, 2023
[21] “Simon Power says merger bill is ‘poorly constructed’ but supports idea in principle – and concerns about editorial independence,” National Business Review, 2022
[22] “Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media – Wikipedia (TVNZ CEO and RNZ CEO supported new entity but expressed concerns about independence and funding),” Wikipedia, 2022
[23] “David Seymour denies overstepping with attack on TVNZ journalist (TVNZ shareholding minister publicly criticised 1News reporter),” RNZ News, 24 Nov 2023
[24] “TVNZ hits back at Seymour, asking politicians to respect its editorial independence,” NZ Herald, 24 Nov 2023
[25] “Big broadcasters go public on problem of trust – TVNZ most trusted source in survey, but $85m loss announced,” RNZ – Mediawatch, 1 Sep 2024
[26] “Big broadcasters...Twice as many picked TVNZ as most trusted news source as next outlet,” RNZ Mediawatch, 2024
[27] “TVNZ announced $85m in losses for last financial year, $30m of which operational,” RNZ Mediawatch, 2024
[28] “1 News published new information on how its newsroom operates to shore up trust,” RNZ Mediawatch, 2024
[29] “Shane Taurima...used TVNZ offices for Labour Party meetings, resigned,” NZ Herald, 18 Feb 2014
[30] “TVNZ report: Taurima failed to disclose political activities, guilty of using resources for political purposes; no evidence of bias on-air,” NZ Herald, 12 May 2014
[31] “Panel found TVNZ resources were used ‘inappropriately’ for Labour purposes by Taurima and three staff; investigation launched Feb 2014,” NZ Herald, 2014
[32] “TVNZ’s Kevin Kenrick admitted rehiring Taurima after his first political run was a mistake in hindsight,” NZ Herald, 2014
[33] “TVNZ bans political journalists from party membership; general news staff must declare any affiliation,” RNZ News, 14 May 2014
[34] “Mike Hosking debate moderation drew criticism – Coalition for Better Broadcasting did not support Hosking hosting leaders’ debates,” Scoop, 23 Aug 2017
[35] “Mediawatch asks TVNZ’s news boss why he picked a person guaranteed to raise questions about balance as debate moderator (Hosking),” RNZ Mediawatch, 27 Aug 2017
[36] “Kamahl Santamaria scandal: investigation found multiple allegations of harassment at Al Jazeera; TVNZ review found recruitment failures,” RNZ News, 5 May 2023
[37] “TVNZ admitted it hadn’t conducted proper reference checks in Santamaria’s hiring, internal letter revealed recruitment policy not followed,” The Spinoff, 1 Jul 2022
[38] “TVNZ first attributed Santamaria’s absence to ‘family emergency’, later admitted that was inappropriate wording,” TVNZ Ombudsman response, 2022
[39] “Paul Yurisich (Head of News) resigned after review into Santamaria saga found hiring protocols were not followed,” 1 News, 27 Jul 2022
[40] “MPs ‘rubbish’ government reasons for cutting TVNZ7 funding – closure seen as torpedoing public broadcasting,” Pacific Scoop (PMC), 16 May 2012
[41] “Clare Curran: ‘On 30 June, TVNZ7 will be switched off by a National government’ – $79m had been invested in TVNZ6/7 by prior govt,” Pacific Scoop, 2012
[42] “Sue Kedgley (Green) in 2009: scrapping the Charter will erode quality and she believes Govt is preparing to sell TVNZ,” RNZ News, 23 Mar 2009
[43] “David Seymour calls to get past ‘squeamishness’ about privatisation; asks if assets like TVNZ that aren’t returning value should be sold,” 1 News, 24 Jan 2025
[44] (Additional supporting references in text from NZ Herald, RNZ, Spinoff as cited above.)

Spot anything in this entry that is wrong? Please either leave a comment at the end or email, in confidence: bryce@democracyproject.nz