Pacific Media Network (PMN)

Pacific Media Network (PMN) is a radio group in New Zealand that runs three radio networks: PMN 531, PMN News, and PMN Niu (which only targets Auckland). It broadcasts in 11 languages spoken in the Pacific area, including Cook Islands Maori, Niuean, Tongan, Tuvaluan, Kiribati Gilbertese, and Fijian.


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 run by the state-controlled National Pacific Trust, and its Board, the highest authority in the group, is appointed by the government.

Source of funding and budget

National Pacific Radio Trust, which runs PMN, receives a state subsidy via NZ On Air, which was NZ$ 4.1m in the fiscal year 2020, according to a report from NZ On Air. The radio group also generates some NZ$ 1m in commercial revenue a year. In 2023, the company received a state subsidy of NZ$ 5.1m, according to a report from NZ On Air.

Editorial independence

There are no editorial norms imposed by the government that PMN has to follow. No evidence of government interference with the editorial programming at PMN has been identified.

There is no domestic statute and no independent assessment or oversight mechanism in place at PMN to validate the editorial independence of the group.

July 2024