RNZ is preparing to shrink its workforce by around 10% over the next financial year, with roughly 25 to 30 roles in the firing line.
The latest cuts come as New Zealand’s public broadcaster adjusts to another reduction in government funding, with more pressure expected over the next two years.
Another round, another round of savings
RNZ chief executive and editor-in-chief Paul Thompson said the broadcaster needed to be upfront with staff as it navigates the latest funding squeeze.
RNZ has already reduced spending and its workforce over the past year. Now, with funding set to fall further, the broadcaster says another round of savings is unavoidable.
“This will involve a reduction in staffing of around 10 percent over the next financial year, affecting approximately 25 to 30 roles.”
Thompson said the changes would be targeted, with RNZ aiming to protect its core public media role while becoming more financially sustainable.
In other words, the broadcaster is being asked to do more with less, again.
Voluntary redundancy comes first
Before compulsory cuts enter the picture, RNZ is giving employees the option of voluntary redundancy.
It is a familiar route for the broadcaster, which has used voluntary redundancies during previous cost-cutting rounds.
RNZ said its focus would remain on trusted news, information and entertainment, while trying to limit the impact on content.
The organisation also said it would keep staff informed as decisions are made.
Saturday morning is already changing
The workforce reductions follow changes already announced for RNZ’s Saturday Morning programme.
The show will move from two hosts to one, while its production team will also be scaled back.
For RNZ, the message is becoming increasingly familiar: tighter funding, tighter teams and a growing need to stretch every dollar without stretching its public media mission too thin.
And with further funding reductions already signalled for the next two financial years, this may not be the last time RNZ has to turn the volume down.