Regional journalism roles set to be axed at NZME

Thursday, 6 June 2024

Christopher Luxon announces that Paul Goldsmith will take over the media portfolio from Melissa Lee as she is removed from cabinet.

NZME, publisher of the NZ Herald and several regional newspapers, is downsizing its regional newsrooms, Stuff understands.

In a meeting on Thursday morning staff were informed of a proposal that affected at least 14 roles.

In February, the company’s net profit fell by a third.

Media company New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) is proposing a restructure that would see job losses across its regional newsrooms.

Sources say NZME’s regional and community reporters, across both its flagship NZ Herald masthead and regional newspapers, were called into a meeting on Thursday morning where chief content officer Murray Kirkness informed them of the proposal.

The impacted journalists had individual meetings throughout the day, and a company-wide editorial meeting was held on Thursday afternoon.

In a story published on the NZ Herald website on Thursday afternoon, hours after Stuff reported the restructure, NZME said 10-12 roles would be “reallocated from regional and community newsrooms”.

It referred to the creation of a “regional news directing hub”, which sources told Stuff refers to a significant downsize and centralisation of regional news directors.

In February, the publicly-listed company’s net profit fell by a third.

Do you know more? Contact emily.brookes@stuff.co.nz

NZME has told staff of a proposal that would disestablish some regional reporting roles.

NZME’s stable of regional newspapers includes the Rotorua Daily Post, Bay of Plenty Times, Hawkes Bay Today and Taupō & Tūrangi Herald.

In March this year, it acquired the Gisborne Herald and SunMedia, which operates the Bay of Plenty’s SunLive website.

NZME’s downsizing restructure will be the latest in a series of blows to the media landscape.

In April, TVNZ confirmed a proposal that saw the axing of legacy programmes Sunday and Fair Go, as well as two daily news bulletins.

Three owner Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), meanwhile, confirmed that it would shut down the entire Newshub operation effective July 5.

Stuff later agreed a deal to produce a 6pm bulletin on contract to WBD, which will begin on July 6.

NZME has been approached for comment.