TVNZ plans to axe 50 jobs

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

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

In a message to staff, TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell said the proposal to disestablish 90 roles and create 41 new roles will result in 50 job losses.

“As I’ve shared, tomorrow we’ll begin stage two of our strategic change consultation process. All meeting invitations have been sent to TVNZers proposed to be impacted. In advance of these meetings, I wanted to share some information with you to give you further context around the changes we’re proposing to make,” O’Donnell said.

“We’re committed to running a transparent process, and I would like to share with you the proposed TVNZ-wide impact of what is being presented tomorrow.”

She said the proposal includes disestablished roles, reducting roles, changing reporting lines and job titles.

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

“I appreciate this is challenging and may raise concerns and uncertainty for you. Please take care of yourselves and your colleagues tomorrow.”

E tū union confirmed that impacted staff were being invited to individual and small group meetings on Thursday.

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

A powerpoint slide that TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell shared with staff last week said it was proposing to outsource some content workflow and technology areas from FY26 onwards.

These are:

• Media operations;
• Content operations;
• Digital capability (technology);
• Service centre;
• Broadcast applications, support and solutions;
• Infrastructure, networks and security.

Last week TVNZ backtracked on its earlier decision to close its 1News website, saying that it would retain a reduced version of the website.

The slide stated TVNZ has received a large amount of feedback from staff regarding proposed changes, and that the executive team needed more time to consider the feedback before making decisions.

It said TVNZ has decided to defer a decision on the proposal to early December.

“While we appreciate this creates further uncertainty, it’s important that we take the time to work through the detailed and thoughtful feedback before making decisions,” the slide stated.

It said if decisions were made to outsource, it would not be sharing any proposed structure changes relating to outsourcing until FY26.

However it added: “There may be structure changes proposed to these teams in stage two of the consultation to achieve efficiencies and reduce costs that are unrelated to any potential outsourcing.”

Last week, TVNZ abandoned its plans to axe the 1 News website and would retain a reduced version instead.

While the union earlier said it was pleased with the decision, it was still concerned about further jobs that could be at risk.

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