The merger between RNZ and TVNZ was cancelled weeks ago, but the board set up to establish the new entity is still being paid out thousands of taxpayer dollars – with more to come.
After years of planning and millions of dollars paid to private consultants and nine establishment board members, the government cancelled the merger less than a month before the formal start date of 1 March 2023.
Under political pressure over the cost of living, Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media was one of the first casualties of new Prime Minister Chris Hipkins’ policy reset.
Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson has confirmed the board has not yet been disestablished and was still being paid, weeks after the public announcement the merger would not be going ahead.
The Ministry for Culture and Heritage said the board was still working on a final report, due before the end of the month, and then its work will be finished.
wrapping up a failed merger and paying people in excess of $1000 a day is huge waste of our taxpayer money,” she said.
when there is no work.
“Their work should be stopped.”
“The SPM [Stronger Public Media] programme has closed.
It said after the prime minister announced the government would be “halting the establishment of the Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM) entity on 8 February 2023…the Establishment Board – an advisory board to the minister – then set about making final close down decisions for the programme”.
Credit: radionz.co.nz
