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.

She said no decisions will be made until all feedback is taken into account.

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.

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.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero’s daily newsletter. curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.