TVNZ plans to cut 50 jobs

TVNZ plans to cut 50 jobs as part of a restructuring to save $30 million and is inviting staff to a series of meetings tomorrow.

The state broadcaster said it was entering into consultations with staff this week about proposed structural changes, its digital strategy and how to achieve its $30 million savings target.

In a message to staff, TVNZ chief executive Jodie O’Donnell said the proposal to abolish 90 positions and create 41 new positions would result in 50 job cuts.

“As I said, tomorrow we will begin the second stage of our strategic change consultation process. All meeting invitations were sent to TVNZ members who were asked to be influenced. In anticipation of these meetings, I wanted to share some information with you to give you more information about the changes we are proposing to make,” O’Donnell said.

“We are committed to a transparent process and I would like to share with you the expected impact of what will be unveiled tomorrow across TVNZ.”

She said the proposal includes eliminating positions, reducing positions, changing reporting lines and changing job titles.

“We ask for feedback and no decisions will be made until all feedback has been considered,” O’Donnell said.

“I understand that this is difficult and may make you feel anxious and uncertain. Please take care of yourself and your colleagues tomorrow.”

E tū Union confirmed that affected staff were invited to individual and small group meetings on Thursday.

Negotiation specialist Michael Wood said staff had been through a lot this year and were worried about their jobs and TVNZ’s outsourcing plans.

A Powerpoint slide that TVNZ CEO Jody O’Donnell shared with staff last week said the company was proposing to outsource some areas of content processing and technology starting in FY26.

Last week TVNZ reversed its previous decision to close its 1News site, saying it would keep a shortened version of the site.

This:

• Media Operations;
• Operations with content;
• Digital capabilities (technology);
• Service center;
• Broadcast Applications, Support and Solutions;
• Infrastructure, networks and security.

The slide said TVNZ had received a lot of feedback from staff on the proposed changes and that management needed more time to consider the feedback before making decisions.

The report said TVNZ had decided to delay a decision on the proposal until early December.

“While we understand this creates additional uncertainty, it is important that we take the time to process detailed and thoughtful feedback before making decisions,” the slide reads.

It said that if outsourcing decisions are made, it will not publish any proposed structural changes relating to outsourcing until FY26.

However, he added: “In a second phase of consultation, structural changes may be proposed to these teams to achieve efficiencies and cost savings not associated with any potential outsourcing.”

Last week TVNZ abandoned plans to close the 1 News website and will save the shortened version instead.

While the union previously said it was pleased with the decision, it remains concerned that new jobs could be at risk.

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