Budget 2026: RNZ suffers second funding cut in two years

Thursday, 28 May 2026

RNZ says it will need to make “further changes” as it faces a further cut in funding - to the tune of $1.4m - as part of Budget 2026.

The media organisation already suffered a $4.6m annual reduction in its operating budget last year, amounting to about 7% of its total budget of $67m. Over four years that totalled about $18m.

A further $1.4m cut on top of this was confirmed in Thursday’s Budget.

RNZ board chair Dr Jim Mather said the outlet acknowledged the cut was “in alignment” with most Government agencies, but would mean making adjustments.

Catch up on all Budget coverage here: The Post Budget 2026

“RNZ absorbed a 7% reduction in funding over the last year. This further 2% reduction and the prospect of 5% reductions over the following two financial years means we will need to make further changes to ensure RNZ remains financially sustainable and can do the best possible job for audiences,” he said in a statement.

“As we undertake this process, we are mindful of the value that RNZ brings to New Zealanders and the need to protect the audience relationship by minimising the impact on our content.”

Over the last financial year, RNZ said it had reduced discretionary spending by $2.5m, marketing by $0.4m and commissioning spend by $1.5m as it worked to take onboard the funding cuts.

It also reduced its overall workforce by 5%, largely through voluntary redundancies and the end of fixed term positions.

Broadcasting Minister Paul Goldsmith last year challenged RNZ to improve “audience reach, trust and transparency”.

He said: “I am confident the organisation can do so while operating in a period of tightened fiscal constraint.”

New listenership figures released this week show RNZ’s total audience has dropped slightly, though this does not take into account the response to the appointment of new Morning Report co-host John Campbell.

RNZ National's audience was 492,900, down from 500,300 in the last survey - a decline of 1.5%.

However, it comes as its main competitor - Newstalk ZB - continues to gain listeners. It recorded an increase of more than 53,000 in the latest round of listening figures, up to its highest audience in close to three years.

A scathing internal report last year by ex-news boss Richard Sutherland suggested the state broadcaster had work to do retaining its audience, and needed to improve some of its on-air offering.

“The most worrying theme was the view that RNZ regards live listening as a sunset activity, rather than a growth opportunity. Disturbingly, this belief was held by staff at every level of RNZ, from junior producers through to executives,” the report stated.

Meanwhile, Budget 2026 also includes cuts for NZ On Air, which will lose out on about $2m in annual funding over the next four years. The NZ Film Commission has had $100,000 in annual funding cut, for the next four years over the same period.

However Māori media has received an investment, with $48 million set aside over the next four years to “support the long-term sustainability” of the industry.

The funding will also help Māori media organisations adapt to a changing digital environment, said Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka.

“The investment in Māori broadcasting focuses on supporting the people and organisations already doing the work to grow te reo Māori and connect with audiences in modern and evolving ways,” said Potaka in a statement.

“Māori broadcasting and storytelling play an important role in strengthening cultural confidence, creating opportunities across Māori creative industries, and sharing uniquely Māori perspectives with audiences.”