NZ On Air History

Seeing our own faces and hearing our own voices, stories and songs is fundamental to a nation

The establishment of NZ On Air was part of a wider deregulation of the broadcasting market in which TVNZ became a State-owned Enterprise, and competition was introduced into radio and television. NZ On Air's role in this new environment was to fill a gap, by providing public broadcasting programmes and services in an otherwise wholly commercial market.

When it was first established, NZ On Air funded the programmes and services it provided through the collection of the Public Broadcasting Fee.

July 2000 represented the end of an era for NZ On Air when the Broadcasting Fee, the sole source of NZ On Air funding for the previous ten years, was abolished.

NZ On Air continued, however, with the same responsibilities and the same net level of funding, now being provided directly by the Government. At the same time, the Ministry for Culture & Heritage took over the responsibility for our organisation.

A comprehensive review of broadcasting policy by the Government, announced in late 1999, is also in progress. Following decisions in relation to TVNZ (a Charter and restructuring as a Crown-owned Company), the review will also address issues of local content quotas and long-term funding arrangements.

History of the Public Broadcasting Fee

For some background on the Public Broadcasting Fee, click here.