- Hon Kris Faafoi
A Governance Group of eight experts has been appointed to lead the next phase of work on a potential new public media entity, Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi announced today.
"The Governance Group will oversee the development of a business case to consider the viability of a new public media entity. The business case will look at how a potential new public media entity could meet the changing expectations of New Zealand audiences and support a strong, vibrant media sector," Kris Faafoi said.
"Public media makes an essential contribution to the overall media mix. Government is committed to ensuring public media is fit for the future and able to thrive and adapt amid the changing media landscape.
"Members of the Governance Group bring a wide range of expertise to their roles. They were chosen for their expertise in public broadcasting, private media, the Māori media sector, government policy, public engagement, change management and business case processes," Kris Faafoi said.
The Governance Group members are: Tracey Martin (Chair), Glen Scanlon, Michael Anderson, Sandra Kailahi, Bailey Mackey, William Earl John Quirk, and Dr Trisha Dunleavy. The members will be appointed until Cabinet have considered the outcome of the Business Case.
The Governance Group will also lead work to gather input on a Charter for the potential new public media entity.
"They will seek feedback on what should be included in a Charter for the new entity so that it meets the needs and expectations of New Zealanders in the 21st century and beyond," Kris Faafoi said.
"A new public media entity would operate with a mixed funding model, drawing part of its revenue from commercial sources, and part from Government funding. It would provide content across a variety of platforms and have full editorial and operational independence from Government, enshrined in legislation. A new public media entity would operate in a way that complements and collaborates with private media.
"RNZ and TVNZ are high performing entities that have served New Zealanders well. They provide a strong basis on which to build for the future.
"Alongside work to assess the option of creating a new public media entity, Minister for Māori Development, Willie Jackson, is leading work to enhance support for the Māori media sector.
"This is a unique opportunity and the right time to make decisions about the whole public media system," Kris Faafoi said.
The business case for Strong Public Media is expected to be completed around the middle of the year.
Cabinet will be provided with advice on the option to create a new public media entity before the end of the year.
Governance Group Member Biographies:
Tracey Martin (chair)
Tracey Martin was a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives for nine years. Entering parliament in 2011 Tracey was New Zealand First's Broadcasting Spokesperson until 2017. She served as Minister for Children, Seniors, Internal Affairs and Associate Minister of Education from 2017 to 2020. Tracey has gained a reputation for a focused, solutions driven style that lends itself to the working groups' desire to provide the Government with a business case and draft charter later this year.
Tracey brings considerable knowledge of public policy development and government processes to the Strong Public Media Governance Group. She also is very experienced in public consultation.
Glen Scanlon
Glen brings a wealth of experience in digital, broadcast and print media to the role. He is currently the Chief Executive of Te Mana Whanonga Kaipāho (The Broadcasting Standards Authority).
He has worked as a journalist, editor and senior leader in media here and overseas, including as RNZ's head of news and digital and editor of Stuff.co.nz. Glen was named New Zealand's editorial executive of the year for his work at RNZ in 2017. He is experienced in developing people, platforms, content, partnerships and managing change.
Glen brings expertise from range of platforms to the Strong Public Media Governance Group.
Michael Anderson
Michael Andreson is the former Chief Executive of MediaWorks NZ Ltd and Austereo Group Ltd. He oversaw the sale of Mediaworks TV to Discovery and the acquisition of QMS Media Ltd's New Zealand out-of-home, digital media and production business.
As a member of the Governance Group, Michael brings his experience across print, digital, radio, and television both in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, he is an experienced chair and non-executive director with a strong background in the management and leadership of media organisations.
Sandra Kailahi
Sandra Kailahi is the Director of Kingston Productions, a boutique film and media production company. She's also the Chief Storyteller at The Cause Collective. She has worked as a journalist for close to three decades starting with Radio New Zealand and then helped to set up the first semi-commercial Pacific Radio station, Radio 531 PI before moving to television with Tagata Pasifika, Fair Go, TVNZ 7, Te Karere and One News.
She is an experienced television and radio reporter, director, presenter, producer, researcher, communications and public relations strategist, facilitator and award-winning film producer.
Sandra brings her considerable knowledge of New Zealand and Pacific media and broadcasting to the Governance Group. She's also an experienced board member and is currently a member of the New Zealand Film Commission, former Chair of Auckland War Museum's Pacific Advisory Group and former Deputy Chair of the National Pacific Radio Trust which oversees Niu FM, Radio 531 PI and Pacific Radio News.
Bailey Mackey
Bailey Mackey is one of New Zealand's leading independent producers across a range of genres. He has worked in broadcasting for twenty-three years holding positions at Radio Ngāti Porou, Māori Television, Television New Zealand and Three.
An award-winning producer and director, Bailey is co-founder and CEO of independent production house, Pango Productions which produces content for local and international audiences under the vision of change through Maori story telling.
Bailey was a member of the Prime Minister's Business Advisory Council and is a Director of NZ Rugby. He was a past member of Te Pae Tawhiti, the advisory board for Te Māngai Pāhō and a current member of the Māori Broadcasting Advisory Panel, an independent group established to provide advice to the Minister for Māori Development and Te Puni Kōkiri.
His experience in the production sector and his knowledge and understanding of Māori broadcasting and media is critical for the Governance Group.
William Earl
William Earl has 35 years' experience in senior management and policy and planning positions with public and commercial broadcasters and telecommunications companies, including the British Broadcasting Corporation, Television New Zealand, Wharf Communications Investments Limited, Fax Cast Asia and Asia Business News.
After four years as controller of distribution with the BBC, and ten years in China and Asia, William returned to New Zealand to advise on New Zealand's conversion to digital broadcasting.
He will contribute his considerable knowledge and expertise in both New Zealand and International media and broadcasting to the Governance Group. He also has experience of change management in the sector and a good understanding of government policy making and public engagement processes.
John Quirk
John Quirk has 36 years of commercial experience and has spent the last 20 years involved in strategic investment and corporate advisory. He is Chair of Kordia Group (until 30 April 2021), Farm-IQ Systems, SMX Limited, Portainer.io, Cumulo9 and a Director of Aeroqual and Howard & Co.
Throughout his career, John has held several leadership roles including Chairman, CEO, and Managing Director. He has extensive experience in high growth, high tech companies. He is a Chartered Member of the NZ Institute of Directors.
John brings leadership, governance, commercial and investment skills to the role. In addition, he has a good understanding of broadcast, telecommunications and digital trends internationally and domestically.
Dr Trisha Dunleavy
Trisha Dunleavy is one of New Zealand's leading researchers into television issues and has been an Associate Professor in Media Studies at Victoria University of Wellington since 2013. She has also lectured overseas in Television and Film Studies at De Montfort University in Leicester, England.
Trisha's contributions to scholarship have been distinctive and highly valued for their tracing of the influences of media ecologies, policies, philosophies, institutions, and industries through to the outcomes for TV programme conception, design, and production. Dunleavy has authored four books and several shorter works (articles, book chapters, public report chapters, conference papers and industry presentations).
She brings to the Governance Group her academic capabilities and her international knowledge of television, including its institutions, industries, creative strategies, and cultural influence, and media in general.
