Radio New Zealand (RNZ) – State Media Monitor

Radio New Zealand stands as the nation’s independent public radio service, comprising three nationwide channels—RNZ National, RNZ Concert, and the AM Network (which relays parliamentary proceedings)—alongside its international voice, RNZ Pacific (formerly RNZI).

Media assets

Radio: RNZ National, RNZ Concert, AM Network, RNZ Pacific

State Media Matrix Typology

Independent State-Funded and State-Managed (ISFM)

Ownership and governance

Established under the Radio New Zealand Act 1995, RNZ operates as a Crown entity. Its Board of Governors, including Chair Dr Jim Mather and directors Irene Gardiner, Jane Wrightson, Brent Impey, Gracie MacKinlay, and Mads Moller (all with terms through mid‑2026), is appointed by Crown ministers.

In 2023, the government abandoned plans to merge RNZ with TVNZ into the proposed Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM), which would have made RNZ a subsidiary. That merger was quashed in February 2023 despite initial legislation in June 2022.

The helm of RNZ remains under the steady guidance of Paul Thompson, who serves as both Chief Executive and Editor‑in‑Chief, a role he assumed in September 2013 and continues to hold.

Source of funding and budget

Historically, RNZ has been almost wholly state‑funded—about 95 % of its budget was government subsidy (via NZ On Air) as of the 2021 fiscal year with a budget of NZ$ 48.5 million. By 2022, RNZ’s total budget had risen to NZ$ 50.7 million (approx. US$ 31.7 million), and by 2023 reached NZ$ 57.7 million (approx. US$ 35.7 million), with government funding still dominating.

However, under the 2025 New Zealand Budget, RNZ faces a reduction of NZ$ 18 million over four years (~NZ$ 4.6 million annually). In response, RNZ has initiated voluntary redundancies to adjust to this funding shortfall.

Audience figures show RNZ National’s cumulative listenership dropping from over 700,000 (early 2020) to just under 530,000 in 2024. Morning Report’s audience similarly declined from 500,000 to 376,500. Meanwhile, rival commercial station Newstalk ZB gained ground. Thompson stressed that while live radio reach is diminishing (now just 14%), RNZ’s presence across digital platforms, the app, podcasts, and partners has expanded reach from 15 % to 70 % of the population over 15 years. An external review published in August 2025 delivered a grim assessment: RNZ is in decline and urgently needs a “major reset,” especially in its approach to live audio. RNZ’s Thompson signaled intent to seek independent, frank guidance to chart a path forward.

Editorial independence

Editorial integrity is enshrined by the Radio New Zealand Act 1995 and reinforced by the RNZ Charter. Government officials are barred from making editorial requests, a bulwark safeguarding RNZ’s independence.

Moreover, RNZ provides a robust audience feedback mechanism, enabling the public to lodge formal complaints regarding programs or editorial conduct. Complaints must be submitted in writing, either via an online form or by post, and are assessed against RNZ’s editorial policy, and relevant standards (such as the Code of Broadcasting Standards or Media Council guidelines). RNZ handles each complaint on its merits, regardless of how many are received on similar topics. Only in specific cases, like privacy breaches, can complaints bypass RNZ and go directly to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

August 2025

Radio New Zealand stands as the nation’s independent public radio service, comprising three nationwide channels—RNZ National, RNZ Concert, and the AM Network (which relays parliamentary proceedings)—alongside its international voice, RNZ Pacific (formerly RNZI).