‘Considerable anxiety’: TVNZ calls news staff to meeting over proposed new structure

By Sam Sherwood of RNZ

Staff at TVNZ have been called to a meeting to discuss a proposal for how its news team “could operate and structure itself”.

A staffer says there is “considerable anxiety among staff”.

“People are worried about what could be proposed and want greater consultation.”

On Thursday TVNZ’s chief news and content officer Nadia Tolich sent an invite to staff for a meeting on Monday at 11.30am.

“As I discussed in the news & content hui and my email following this I am now ready to put a proposal to you on a proposed new way for how the news team could operate and structure itself.

“This meeting is to present a proposal to you which I would like your feedback on.

“You are welcome to bring a support person with you.”

TVNZ has been approached for comment.

The meeting comes two years after TVNZ cut 48.5 fulltime jobs in 2024.

The state-owned broadcast posted a statutory profit of $16.3 million in the year to June, although the result was largely due to a $34.9m positive non-cash impairment adjustment.

Its underlying result, which excludes the adjustment, was a loss of $18.7m.

Operational earnings (ebit) amounted to a loss of $23.5m for the year to June.

TVNZ earlier said this had been previously signalled and included $27.6m of planned strategic investment in products, platforms and capability needed to drive long-term digital growth.

Despite the underlying loss, the company announced it would pay the Government a dividend of $2.2m, bringing the total dividend for the year to $3.8m.

TVNZ described the result as positive and said it was taking important steps towards building a stronger, more sustainable digital future through its Digital+ 2030 strategy.

Advertising revenue for the year, which makes up the bulk of the company’s income, was down 8%, although digital revenue grew 16.8% year-on-year.

Total revenue was also down overall to $262.9m, following what it said was a challenging first half of the financial year.

TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell earlier said it had been a year of real progress.

“There’s more to do, but we’re clear on where we’re heading and confident in the path we’re taking.”

Looking ahead, TVNZ said it expects to report a loss in the 2027 year as it completes its two-year investment programme, before returning to profitability in full-year 2028.

“FY27 will be another important year of delivery. We are clear on the investment required and confident the choices we’re making now will position TVNZ for a stronger and more sustainable future,” O’Donnell said.

  This story was first published on rnz.co.nz