The Labour Party says it would restore Radio New Zealand's funding to compensate for the Government's budget freeze.
Radio New Zealand's board chairperson Richard Griffen told a select committee on Thursday that the funding freeze has made it difficult, but the broadcaster can survive for the next two years on the same amount of money
But Labour says public broadcasting is an important part of democracy.
Broadcasting spokesperson Claire Curran says talk of a developing a trust to raise funds for Concert FM shows the state broadcaster is struggling.
Ms Curran says Labour would increase funding for Radio New Zealand by about $1.5 million.
The Government says it expects Radio New Zealand to live within its budget, which is in line with wider expectations across the state sector.
