Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Current Location in Site

RNZ Home >  About Us > Public Service Broadcasting FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions About Radio New Zealand

What is Radio New Zealand?

Radio New Zealand is our national public radio service, a company owned and funded by New Zealanders. It is independent, commercial free and pursues the goal of serving the public interest … just like the BBC in the U.K.

What does Radio New Zealand do?

Radio New Zealand:

• broadcasts over three nationwide networks: Radio New Zealand National, Radio New Zealand Concert and the AM network which relays Parliament,
• operates a short-wave service, Radio New Zealand International, which broadcasts into the Pacific, and
• maintains Sound Archives / Nga Taonga Korero which collects and preserves the country’s contemporary and historical radio programmes.
• provides audio live and on demand via the internet.

What is public service broadcasting?

Public service broadcasting provides a public space where citizens can listen to programmes to be informed, entertained and/or enlightened.

• It is publicly funded, independent, autonomous, and motivated by service, not profit.
• Public service broadcasting is essential to a well functioning democratic society.

What countries have public service broadcasting?

This is a dominant form of broadcasting around the world. The British Broadcasting Corporation ( BBC ) is the best known but public service broadcasters operate, with varying degrees of strength and effectiveness, in North America, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, and Australasia.

Why do we need a public service broadcaster in New Zealand?

New Zealanders have the same need as other citizens around the world for a broadcasting service:

• that caters for all interests, including minority interests,
• is concerned with national identity and community,
• is independent of commercial and political influence, and
• promotes quality and innovation in programming.

Is TVNZ a public service broadcaster?

The Television New Zealand Act 2003 requires TVNZ to give effect to its Charter while maintaining its commercial performance.  TVNZ has some direct public funding to meet its Charter obligations. Other programmes are made with contestable public funding from NZ On Air and TVNZ’s own commercial revenue.

Unlike TVNZ Radio New Zealand does not carry commercial advertising.

Who pays for public service broadcasting?

The public. New Zealand abolished the public broadcasting (or licence) fee in 2000, unlike many other countries which continue to provide funding in this way. Since 2000 funding has been from general taxation revenue. Radio New Zealand currently receives $27million annually, administered through NZ On Air.

As a taxpayer am I a shareholder in Radio New Zealand?

The Ministers of Broadcasting and Finance are Radio New Zealand’s shareholding Ministers, acting on behalf of taxpayers :

• to ensure that the company carries out its role,
• uses its resources appropriately and
• is accountable to the public.

As New Zealanders we have a stake in Radio New Zealand.  Radio New Zealand signals its direction through its annual Statement of Intent and then in its annual report Radio New Zealand reports publicly on its financial performance and its performance against the Charter.  Public opinion is sought directly through listener surveys and other forms of feedback.

Who controls what Radio New Zealand does?

Radio New Zealand’s independence is guaranteed by its legislation and organisational structure. A board of  governors ensures an arms-length distance from the government. The management and staff are responsible for day-to-day operations and decision-making.

What is a Charter?

A Charter is a set of principles, usually established in legislation,  which define what the organisation aspires to - i.e. its purpose -  and how it will achieve that purpose. It provides a series of statements of what the public can expect from the service.

Why does Radio New Zealand have one?

The Radio New Zealand Charter was introduced in 1995 to give Radio New Zealand distinct goals and confirm the broadcaster’s place in the life of the nation. It is reviewed every five years.

Who decides what programmes I hear on Radio New Zealand?

The management and staff, operating within a public service ethos and guided by the Charter, make these decisions. They have a responsibility to ensure programming means something to listeners. Listener surveys and other public feedback provide further guidance.

What if I don’t like the programmes?

Radio New Zealand listens to and logs opinions and complaints from the public. It deals with complaints about general programming matters and individual programme preferences. If you are concerned that a radio programme has breached programme standards, there is a process for handling formal complaints under the Broadcasting Act.  

How do we know if Radio New Zealand does a good job?

Radio New Zealand has several ways of checking up on its own performance. It:

• rates its services against international public broadcasting standards
• applies strict editorial and policy guidelines to ensure all programmes meet standards consistent with other international public service broadcasters like the BBC.
• applies programme and audience research
• measures listenership size and satisfaction, including listeners’ perception of “quality”
• sets and measures target programme hours against Charter objectives
• has its Charter reviewed by Parliament every five years
• adheres to codes of broadcasting practice as well as its own internal policies and procedures
• manages its public funding responsibly to maximise public value

How many radio stations are there in New Zealand?

New Zealand has more radio stations per head of population than almost anywhere in the world. Auckland has more than any other city. We have around 275 stations, the vast majority of which are commercial businesses owned by two companies: CanWest and The Radio Network. As well as funding Radio New Zealand, public money contributes to 25 Maori language iwi radio stations, 11 community access stations, student stations, and a Pacific Island radio network.

I thought Radio New Zealand owned commercial stations as well … is this not right?

Radio New Zealand had a commercial division until 1996 when a consortium ( The Radio Network )  bought its 43 commercial stations including the ZB and ZM networks, Classic Hits and Community Stations.

Radio New Zealand no longer has any connection with these stations and is a purely non-commercial public service broadcaster.  

So does Radio New Zealand compete with commercial radio stations?

Radio New Zealand has an obligation to deliver value to New Zealanders in return for the money we invest in it.  The primary obligation of commercial radio is to return a profit to its shareholders. Radio New Zealand doesn’t compete head to head with its commercial radio colleagues but it does take pride in attracting a significant share of the New Zealand radio audience.