\u201cI am sharing it because we must work on this together and get the best outcome for our people and audiences while acknowledging difficult decisions will be made.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said RNZ had absorbed a 7% reduction in funding in 2025 by cutting spending in several areas, including marketing and commissioning, and reducing staff numbers by 5%.<\/p>\n
In May this year, RNZ\u2019s funding was cut by a further 2%, with the prospect of another 5% reduction in each of the following two years. \u201cMeanwhile, higher inflation is adding further cost pressures.\u201d<\/p>\n
Until now, RNZ has been relatively immune from the major cost-cuts that have impacted commercial media firms. While it\u2019s had to trim costs, this is the most significant cost-cutting programme in recent years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will now continue to review all of our costs and find further savings where we are able. However, given that 60% of RNZ\u2019s expenditure is staffing costs, our workforce will need to become smaller,\u201d Thompson told staff.<\/p>\n
TVNZ, NZME and Stuff have all made various cost-cutting moves, while Newshub closed entirely in 2024.<\/p>\n
RNZ’s flagship Morning Report co-hosts John Campbell and Ingrid Hipkiss and (inset) RNZ chair Brent Impey. Photos \/ RNZ, Photosport<\/p>\n
Thompson himself leaves RNZ at the end of this year; RNZ has been recruiting for a new chief executive.<\/p>\n
It also has a relatively new chair, Brent Impey, and a refreshed board with several new faces.<\/p>\n
The cuts come just as the broadcaster has announced major changes to its Saturday Morning show,<\/a> with a single new host set to replace Susie Ferguson and Mihingarangi Forbes, following a seven-week consultation with staff.<\/p>\n The number of staff who work on the show is also being reduced.<\/p>\n \u201cThese changes are part of RNZ\u2019s broader work to strengthen live audience engagement while ensuring programmes remain financially sustainable,\u201d an RNZ spokeswoman said last week.<\/p>\n \u201cMoving the programme\u2019s presentation and production to Auckland will also enable closer collaboration with RNZ\u2019s wider audio teams and make the most of our new Auckland facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n Thompson told staff in his email today that as a first step, the company was reopening a voluntary redundancy scheme that was run in 2025\/26.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the next 10 months we will make a series of small, targeted changes across the organisation and reduce or stop specific activities that are not delivering the best value for audiences \u2013 rather than one major change in programming or delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n Thompson said the broadcaster would be guided by its RNZ strategy as it undertook the cost-cutting work.<\/p>\n He reminded staff of the broadcaster\u2019s four strategic goals: increasing trust in RNZ; reflect a changing nation; win audience loyalty with \u201cenergy and innovation\u201d; and run RNZ efficiently and effectively.<\/p>\n The company, he said, would be making the most of new data and technology, \u201cimproving the way we plan and deliver our work, and focusing our resources where they can have the greatest impact for audiences\u201d.<\/p>\n Thompson also said the broadcaster was \u201cexpanding access to AI tools where they can safely improve productivity and continue to develop our trusted digital products and services\u201d.<\/p>\n The job cuts will come into place between now and June 30 next year.<\/p>\n Thompson acknowledged in his email that there was \u201ca lot to digest\u201d. He said he and fellow executives Pip Keane and Mark Stevens would be \u201cgetting out to talk with people over the next two weeks to make sure we have these conversations directly with our kaimahi\u201d.<\/p>\n RNZ\u2019s official statement<\/p>\n In a statement to Media Insider, RNZ reiterated some of the key points in Thompson\u2019s earlier email.<\/p>\n \u201cRNZ\u2019s priority is to communicate clearly and honestly with our talented staff and support them as much as possible as we respond to reduced funding,\u201d said the statement, attributed also to Thompson.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have already taken steps over the past year to reduce spending, including a reduction in workforce size last year. <\/p>\n \u201cNow, due to a further reduction in our funding this year, and with more reductions indicated for the next two financial years, we need to make further savings to remain financially sustainable and continue delivering on our public media charter for New Zealanders.<\/p>\n \u201cThis will involve a reduction in staffing of around 10% over the next financial year, affecting approximately 25 to 30 roles. This will involve a series of targeted changes.\u201d<\/p>\n He confirmed the voluntary redundancy scheme as a \u201cfirst step\u201d.<\/p>\n Further changes would be worked through carefully, \u201cwith fair process and constructive engagement with staff\u201d. <\/p>\n He said RNZ\u2019s focus was \u201cto continue to do a great job for New Zealanders and minimise impact on content while making the organisation more efficient and sustainable\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cWe will continue to prioritise trusted news, information and entertainment, and to work with our people on these challenges and keep them fully informed as decisions are made.\u201d<\/p>\n Approached for comment, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said today: \u201cThat\u2019s an operational matter for Radio New Zealand to speak to. We expect Radio New Zealand to produce the best results for their audiences within the budget available.\u201d<\/p>\n Budget cuts<\/p>\n