Journalism funding

The fund is open to all NZ media entities: from large organisations through to small, local entities, and Māori, Pacific and ethnic media. Organisations must show their projects fill a public interest service and would otherwise be at risk or not produced without this fund’s support. This may include (and is not limited to) investigative journalism, data journalism and photo journalism.

The Public Interest Journalism initiative also provides transitional support to media organisations as the sector evolves in a way that ensures the longer-term sustainability of New Zealand’s media.

The $55m fund is split across three years: $10m* for 2020/21, $25m* in 2021/22 and $20m* in 2022/23. (*minus administrative costs)

This initiative is designed to build a critical bridge between the short term Covid relief provided to the media sector and the longer-term initiatives we have underway. The funding will support the vital public interest journalism function within the sector while the sector adapts and evolves.

By phasing the funding over three years, we strike a balance of providing support without creating dependency and ultimately deliver the most long-term sustainable solution for the sector

NZ On Air has 30-plus years experience in funding applications assessment and distribution of funds to a broad array of NZ media and content makers. We have the systems, processes and people to swiftly implement a robust, accountable system for allocating funding for journalism.

NZ On Air already funds a number of journalism initiatives from within the Factual funding stream. These include the Stuff Circuit and Newsroom Investigates investigative reporting strands, the daily news podcast The Detail, the kids news strand Kea Kids News, and a number of specialist current affairs, news generating programmes such as Q & A, The Nation and The Hui. NZ On Air also partners with RNZ and the NPA on the Local Democracy Reporting scheme, and funds some regional journalism.

But we are also adding specialised expertise to the team for this funding initiative.

Consultation with the sector has been run for us by Hal Crawford, a media executive with 25 years' experience in digital and broadcast, having worked as Chief News Officer at Mediaworks in Auckland and Editor-in-Chief at ninemsn in Sydney. Hal’s consultancy on this journalism initiative comes off the back of a recent comprehensive review he undertook to assess the impact of the NZ Media Fund since its launch in 2017.

We have employed a Head of Journalism, Raewyn Rasch, a Journalism Manager. Gabriel Thomas, and a Funding Advisor, Fairooz Samy.

NZ On Air hosted a Public Interest Journalism summit in Auckland and via Zoom, to provide feedback to the sector on what we'd seen in the first round of applications, provide some pointers on what we would like to see in future rounds, and to answer questions.

The afternoon session of the summit was dedicated to addressing Māori and iwi journalism needs.

Below is a summary of the discussion points, along with a number of both presentations and reports referenced during the day.

We have also published the list of external assessors used in this first round. Our practice is to draw from a roster of external assessors who bring specialist expertise to our application assessment process. (We do this in all areas of funding.) You will find this information under PIJF Assessment and Decision-making process.

On 21 January 2022 NZ On Air hosted a summit in Auckland and via Zoom to discuss the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) with interested parties, provide a high level overview of the first three rounds of funding, and discuss sector-wide issues and opportunities across the remaining funding rounds. This document is a high-level summary of the key data and discussion points from the day.

Below is a high-level summary of NZ On Air's presentation, along with other presentations and reports referenced during the day.

On Wednesday 5 May NZ On Air held a webinar to answer questions about the recently released Public Interest Journalism guidelines.

This webinar was aimed at first-time applicants to NZ On Air and designed to make the process as easy and understandable as possible.

All assessment panels will consist of industry representatives (including those from within or adjacent to the Māori Journalism sector) alongside Crown/Māori (Te Māngai Pāho) and NZ On Air representation. The panel will:

• make recommendations for funding by coming to a consensus at the meeting
• take into account additional information provided by NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho staff.

Depending on the size of the funding round, not all applications will be discussed by the panel due to time constraints, with the conversation generally focussed on applications with the most likelihood of success. We ask external assessors to provide us with constructive commentary that substantiates their recommendations.

Round 1

The following assessors were used during Round 1. At least two external assessors reviewed every application submitted alongside NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho staff, although not all external assessors looked at every application. (Assessors are assigned to applications based on their specialist expertise and after considering any potential conflict of interest.)

1. Verica Rupar - AUT Professor of Journalism. Former journalist, political correspondent, political editor, commentator, foreign correspondent and deputy editor-in-chief of Politika, one of the oldest daily newspapers in Central Europe
2. Jason Ake (Ngāti Ranginui, Pirirākau, Ngāti Māhanga) - General Manager Communications and Engagement at Waikato Tainui. Former journalist, producer and press secretary
3. James Ihaka (Ngāti Porou) - Te Wānanga o Aotearoa Communications Manager. Former senior reporter for the New Zealand Herald
4. Jim Tucker – Writer and former journalist. Served as picture editor, editorial manager, deputy editor, associate editor and editor. He set up the Sunday Star (now the Sunday Star-Times). Former head of the NZ Journalists Training Organisation and lecturer in Journalism
5. Gavin Ellis - Lecturer, Media consultant and researcher. A former editor-in-chief of the New Zealand Herald and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. He chaired the New Zealand Media Freedom Committee and was recipient of the Commonwealth Astor Award for Press Freedom
6. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism. Former General Manager Māori and Pacific programmes at TVNZ, executive producer of Seven Sharp, producer of Fair Go and Marae Investigates, TV and radio journalist
7. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content. Former producer at Pango Productions and Marae TV
8. Anna Currie - NZ On Air Funding Advisor

Round 2

The following assessors were used during Round 2.

1. Jim Tucker – Writer and former journalist. Served as picture editor, editorial manager, deputy editor, associate editor and editor. He set up the Sunday Star (now the Sunday Star-Times). Former head of the Journalism Training Organisation and lecturer in Journalism
2. Dr Gavin Ellis – Media consultant and researcher. Former editor-in-chief of the NZ Herald and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland
3. Rick Neville – Former newspaper editor, managing director (publishing) INL, chief operating officer APN News & Media, and former editorial director of the NZ Newspaper Publishers’ Association
4. Richard Pamatatau - Journalism academic at AUT University. He teaches public affairs reporting, journalism law and ethics and writing and is a former Pacific affairs and business reporter
5. Hinerangi Barr – a former Māori broadcast journalist, Hinerangi has run her own communications consultancy and is Principal Comms advisor at Te Puni Kōkiri.
6. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content. Former producer at Pango Productions and Marae TV
7. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism. Former General Manager Māori and Pacific programmes at TVNZ, executive producer of Seven Sharp, producer of Fair Go and Marae Investigates, TV and radio journalist

Round 3

The following assessors were used during Round 3

1. Venetia Sherson - Partner, JAG Media Relations, former Editor of the Waikato Times
2. Peter-Lucas Jones – (Ngāti Kahu, Te Rārawa, Ngāi Takoto and Te Aupōuri (Te Mātāwai Appointment), Deputy Chair of Māori Television, CEO of Te Hiku Media, Chair of Te Whakaruruhau o Ngā Reo Irirangi Māori (The National Iwi Radio Network)
3. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content. Former producer at Pango Productions and Marae TV
4. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism. Former General Manager Māori and Pacific programmes at TVNZ, executive producer of Seven Sharp, producer of Fair Go and Marae Investigates, TV and radio journalist
5. Glenn Usmar - NZ On Air Associate Head of Funding (Systems)
6. Gabriel Thomas - NZ On Air Journalism Manager
7. Fairooz Samy - NZ On Air Journalism Funding Advisor

Round 4

The following assessors were used for Round 4

1. Atakohu Middleton (Ngāti Māhanga, Pākehā) - Reo-Māori journalist, AUT Senior lecturer, Kaupapa Māori researcher and author, communications adviser
2. Ali Ikram - journalist, writer, and broadcaster. Currently Senior Communications Manager, Manukau Institute of Technology
3. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content
4. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism
5. Gabriel Thomas - NZ On Air Journalism Manager
6. Dr. Fairooz Samy - NZ On Air Journalism Funding Advisor

Round 5

The following assessors were used for Round 5

1. Bernie O’Donnell (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāi Tahu) - Co-Chair Te Mātāwai, Board Member: Kāpuia Ministerial Advisory Board into Christchurch Terrorist Attacks, Chair of the Manukau Urban Māori Authority, and veteran Māori Broadcaster
2. Finlay MacDonald - Editor of The Listener from 1997 to 2003, commissioning editor at Penguin Books, a weekly columnist for the Sunday Star-Times, NZ Publisher at HarperCollins, and is currently Senior Editor, The Conversation NZ
3. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content
4. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism
5. Gabriel Thomas - NZ On Air Journalism Manager
6. Dr. Fairooz Samy - NZ On Air Journalism Funding Advisor

Round 6

The following assessors were used for Round 6

1. Gordon Harcourt - Former Journalist and Presenter with TVNZ (Fair Go) and Senior Broadcast Journalist at the BBC
2. Lynette Amoroa (Tūhoe) - Principal Consultant at Te Amokura Consultants, former Head of News and Current Affairs and Planning at Whakaata Māori
3. Blake Ihimaera (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) - Te Māngai Pāho Head of Content
4. Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism
5. Gabriel Thomas - NZ On Air Journalism Manager
6. Dr. Fairooz Samy - NZ On Air Journalism Funding Advisor

Irirangi Te Motu NZ On Air has established the Te Puna Whakatongarewa Public Interest Journalism Advisory Panel as a stakeholder reference group of industry representatives to contribute to the successful implementation of the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF). The 14 members will meet at regular intervals throughout the remainder of the PIJF to provide industry feedback and support for PIJF development.

What is the purpose of the Advisory Panel?

The primary purpose of the Advisory Panel is to ensure industry and stakeholders are feeding back into the operation and ongoing design of the PIJF. A secondary purpose is to ensure members are fully apprised of PIJF operations and processes.

Who sits on the Advisory Panel and why?

The panel comprises 13 industry and stakeholder members, the independent chair, and three representatives of NZ On Air and Te Māngai Pāho. It is a large group, and sub-committees may be formed to consider specific questions. The invited members represent the major news publishing groups (including commercial and public broadcasters) along with magazine, community newspaper, mid-level digital-only, Māori journalism and journalism education representatives. The aim of such a broad group is to encompass as far as possible the range of interests within the sector. Because perfectly proportional representation is not possible, panel members are expected to not only operate as representatives, but also to bring informed consideration to all questions as individuals.

What will the Advisory Panel do?

The panel will meet at least four times a year to consider its advice to NZ On Air regarding the operation of the PIJF. Members will have received the agenda, operational reports and other information prior to the meetings: major changes or additions to agenda should be suggested to the Chair ahead of time. There will also be time allocated during meetings for impromptu suggestions and feedback.

What is the status of the panel’s advice to NZ On Air?

NZ On Air is not bound by the advice or recommendations of the panel. It will take the panel’s input into consideration.

What if the panel is divided or cannot come to a majority decision?

Consensus is not required or even expected of the panel. The function of the panel is to provide an ongoing industry perspective on the operation of the PIJF, just as consultation with the industry formed the basis for the creation of the fund. Because the needs of publishers, broadcasters and other stakeholders are so varied, and many of the perspectives are contradictory, there is no possibility the fund will perfectly satisfy any single group.

Will the panel be considering funding allocation?

The panel has no role in application assessment. It is acknowledged that funding is the main business of the PIJF, and therefore has to be a central concern of the panel. However, it is not the intention or purpose of the panel to discuss individual application decisions.

How does the panel reflect NZ On Air’s Te Tiriti commitment?

Care has been taken to ensure tangata whenua are well represented on the panel, and they will have the opportunity to ensure the views of Māori media are well expressed.

The panelists are:

Hal Crawford - Independent Co-Chair

Erana Keelan Reedy - Independent Co-Chair

Barry Stewart - Allied Press Group

David MacKenzie - New Zealand Community Newspapers Association

James Frankham - Magazine Publishers Association NZ

James Hollings - Journalism Education Association of New Zealand (JEANZ)

John Utanga - Moana Media sector representative

Maramena Roderick/Wena Harawira - Whakaata Māori (Māori)Television

Mark Jennings - Mid-scale digital only media representative

Mark Stevens - Stuff

Nevak Rogers - Te Reo Tātaki (TVNZ)

Sarah Bristow - Discovery (Newshub)

Shannon Haunui-Thompson - RNZ

Shayne Currie - NZME

Tamaiti Tiananga - Kawea te Rongo (Māori Journalism Association)

Raewyn Rasch - Irirangi Te Motu (NZ On Air)

Amie Mills - Irirangi Te Motu (NZ On Air)

Blake Ihimaera - Te Māngai Pāho

Notes:

In reading the below, please note that a single asterisk means: *Funding was approved but project did not proceed 

and a double asterisk means: ** Not all roles were filled 

(Please also note that funded amounts shown are as at time of funding, however may be subject to change should the scope of the project or role change. Audited information on final funding is published annually in the NZ On Air Annual Report.)

ROUND 6

Projects

Te Rito 2023, NZME, up to $1,719,407. A second year of funding for the successful collaborative training scheme between NZME, Whakaata Māori, PMN, and Newshub, to provide journalism training and work experience for 12 cadets from Māori, Pacific and diverse backgrounds.

Tagata Pasifika 2023, Sunpix, up to $2,019,190. A 2023 season of the flagship Pasifika current affairs and news programme.

RNZ Asia Unit, RNZ, up to $1,114,672 for one year of a two-year project. A new unit producing news and current affairs content in Mandarin, Hindi and English, for Asian communities of Aotearoa.

Newshub Nation 2023, 42 x 60min, including Budget and election specials, for Discovery NZ, up to $999,781. A weekly political current affairs programme that provides political news, interviews, and analysis.

Q + A with Jack Tame 2023, 40 x 60min plus 1 x 118min special for TVNZ, up to $842,200. TVNZ’s leading political current affairs programme that tackles newsworthy political issues alongside debates and interviews.

The Hui Series 8, Great Southern Television, up to $737,036. An additional season of the award-winning weekly bilingual Māori current affairs programme that confronts difficult subjects, exposes injustice, and celebrates Māori success.

Voice of Tangaroa, Kōwhai Media Ltd, up to $175,145. A follow-up to the successful A Voice for Tangaroa project, the second season is a text, photographic and audio series of in-depth current affairs stories focused on the health and wellbeing of New Zealand’s Ocean environment.

Stuff Circuit, 90 mins video and accompanying text, print and feature articles for Stuff, up to $371,406. An award-winning investigative journalism project that unpacks Aotearoa’s most complicated and risky topics in multimedia formats.

Newsroom Investigates, 6 x 10min videos plus additional podcasts for Newsroom, up to $364,918. A collection of agenda-setting investigations from the experienced and award-winning team at Newsroom.

The Detail, 269 x 26min podcasts plus 223 articles for Newsroom, up to $626,780. A daily podcast designed to explain the stories behind the news headlines, giving listeners content and a deeper understanding of important events.

News 2 Me series 2, TVNZ, up to $515,499. A 5min news bulletin and explainer series tailor-made for tamariki between the ages of 8-14 producing 30 x 5min eps and 30 x 5min podcasts broadcast on TVNZ 2, RNZ and across social media.

Paakiwaha, UMA Broadcasting, up to $457,000. A bilingual radio programme broadcast on Radio Waatea and Waatea News Online. It provides a Māori perspective on news and current events while contributing to the normalisation of te reo Māori.

Critic Video Team, a year-long project of weekly 1min 30sec and monthly 4min video segments for Critic Te Ārohi, up to $27,516. Covering hyper-local news in Dunedin to an underserved student and rangatahi audience.

#OurMoanaOurHome, Tikilounge Productions, 15 x 3min videos and 5 x 12 min talanoa panels alongside social media content for TheCoconet.TV, up to $169,340. A digital video series educating rangatahi on the impacts of climate change on communities across several Pacific countries.

Roles

Newshub Te Rito Graduates, Newshub, up to $240,000 for four roles over one year. Four graduates of the PIJF-funded Te Rito journalism training scheme will join the Newshub newsroom to continue their career progression and contribute underrepresented perspectives to the media industry.

PMN Te Rito Graduates, The National Pacific Radio Trust, up to $120,000, for two roles over one year. Two graduates of the PIJF-funded Te Rito journalism training scheme will join the PMN newsroom to boost newsgathering and reporting capacity, and upskilling of Pasifika journalists.

NZME Te Rito Graduates, NZME, up to $240,000 for four roles over one year. Four graduates of the PIJF-funded Te Rito journalism training scheme will join NZME newsrooms to gain further professional experience and increase Māori and Pasifika participation in the industry.

Digital News Producer, Tikilounge Productions, up to $75,000 for one role over one year. An additional year of funding to continue this role, creating engaging and high-quality news content for Pasifika audiences in TheCoconet.TV newsroom.

Social Media Design Specialist, The Pantograph Punch, up to $50,058 for one role over one year (part-time). A continuation of this previously funded part-time role enhancing the discoverability and delivery of arts journalism through innovative digital design.

Sub-editor, The Spinoff, up to $111,000 for one role over one year. A continuation of this PIJF-funded role that provides dedicated fact-checking, vetting and sub-editing across The Spinoff’s news content.

Kaiwhakatiki Hourua (Partnership Editor), Kowhai Media, up to $58,520 for one role (part-time) over one year. An extension of the Partnership Editor role which provides strategic leadership on Māori issues and journalism for NZ Geographic, including recruitment and development of Māori talent and relationships with Māori communities.

Specialist Reporter, Ashburton Guardian, up to $163,840 for one role for two years. Dedicated coverage of two underreported and important topics (the courts and rural issues) for the Ashburton community.

Reporter, Radio Bay of Plenty, up to $185,924 for one role over two years. To increase the station’s newsgathering capacity in areas that currently lack coverage, including Whakatane, central and eastern Bay of Plenty.

Editor – Kaupapa Māori, The Pantograph Punch, up to $64,074 for one role over one year (part-time). Enhancing the quality and discoverability of The Pantograph Punch’s public interest journalism as it relates to Nga Toi Māori and Māori-interest publishing.

Regional Reporter, Valley Media, up to $58,355 for one role over one year (part-time). Provide news coverage of the Hauraki-Thames Valley and the Coromandel Peninsula region for the Coromandel App and the Valley Profile.

Podcast Reporter/Producer, Schistrockmedia, up to $165,246 for one role over two years. Produce and present four weekly news podcasts that cover the Wanaka, Queenstown, Central Otago and Southland regions for The Wanaka App, The Queenstown App, Central App and Southland App.

Social Media Editor, The National Pacific Radio Trust, up to $92,561 for one role over one year. Turn written news pieces into discoverable and engaging video content suitable for sharing across social media platforms.

Journalist, Radio Ngāti Porou, up to $158,093 for one role over two years. Employ a Te Rito graduate to cover newsworthy issues and deliver local news stories to iwi and Ruatoria communities.

ROUND 5

Projects

Haukāinga 2022/23, Te Reo Irirangi O Te Hiku O Te Ika, up to $460,000.
To produce an additional 12-month season of the video news series, produced by and for Northlanders on Te Hiku platforms, with Whakaata Māori and Iwi radio as content partners.

Mata Media, Aotearoa Media Collective, up to $452,198.
A new and cutting-edge Māori current affairs project that will provide a suite of multimedia content designed for a digital-first audience, for TVNZ digital platforms and RNZ.

Video Kickstart, The Big Idea, up to $181,800.
A series of 26 videos covering topical arts news and investigations, prioritising the viewpoints of diverse, regional and underserved communities, including Māori, Pasifika, Pan-Asian, youth, LGBTQIA+ and disabled perspectives.

The Hui: Summer Edition Series 2, Great Southern Television Ltd, up to $187,114.
A second series of The Hui: Summer Edition which will produce six current affairs stories from a Māori perspective while providing mentorship and training to four young Māori journalists.

The Business of Health, BusinessDesk, up to $85,255.
This project will investigate the involvement and efficacy of the companies and agencies involved in healthcare spending across Aotearoa, through a series of 50-70 articles.

Who Owns Auckland? Metro Media Group Limited, up to $30,460.
An investigative series of long-form feature articles that examine multiple aspects of commercial property development in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Community Oriented Programmes, Indo Kiwi United Trust, up to $169,440.
A weekly series of 48 videos covering the topics of health, social issues, parenting and elder care, for Punjabi and Sikh audiences.

Te Reo Māori Project, Kiwi Kids News, up to $46,706.
A 12-month project which will produce two weekly news articles written in te reo Māori and accompanied by an English translation and an audio file of the reo text, for a tamariki audience aged 8-13.

Tova O'Brien Special, Mediaworks, up to $50,000.
A range of audio and video packages, including a one-on-one interview with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, that cover the ongoing impacts of the Ukraine war on Aotearoa and New Zealanders within Ukraine and at home.

Industry Development Funding

Te Ia Ka Oho, Te Korimako o Taranaki, up to $395,000.
A nine-month local journalism cadetship programme to nurture five Māori journalists with the aim of growing the Māori journalism sector more broadly, especially in the Taranaki region.

Disability: Our Voices, Attitude Pictures, up to $142,520.
To extend the training of one existing PIJF-funded intern who lives with a disability and provide coaching for a second intern also living with a disability.

Agri-Journalists Mentorship, Global HQ, up to $25,000.
A 12-month mentorship for two tertiary students to learn about agricultural journalism and produce youth-focused content about primary industries for Global HQ publications.

Chinese Journalism Cadetship Programme, Go Global Ltd, $137,280.
A 12-month training programme, with in-house and external modules, for two cadets from Chinese backgrounds to increase the quality and quantity of trusted news content for Chinese audiences.

Cadetships for Central students, Inland App Company, up to $7,800.
A 12-month programme to engage and encourage high school students in the Central Otago district to experience journalism as a career option and produce weekly content.

The Next Page – Editors, The Spinoff, up to $201,036.
A 10-month cross-platform initiative to support the development and upskilling of journalism editors across Aotearoa. Led by The Spinoff, partner publications include North & South, Metro, NZ Geographic, E-Tangata, The Pantograph Punch and Ensemble.

Content Roles

A contributing Editor/Presenter and a Video Journalist for two years, Hawke’s Bay App, up to $388,700.
To conduct interviews, write stories and offer editorial oversight, and to increase the quantity and quality of video news.

A Community Reporter for one year, Consumer NZ Incorporated, up to $85,600.
To cover consumer news with a focus on non-Pākehā and economically marginalised groups.

A Reporter for one year, Migrant News, up to $55,854.
To produce news content specifically for and about migrant communities and Filipino audiences.

A Digital Content Designer and a Digital Producer for one year, Radio Ngāti Porou Charitable Trust, up to $128,784.
To create audio-visual online content from Radio Ngāti Porou daily radio content and share it across various digital and social platforms.

A Local Democracy Journalist for two years, Inland App Company, up to $101,400.
To continue local democracy reporting across Central Otago, with increased hours.

A Pasifika Affairs Correspondent for two years, Warner Bros Discovery NZ, up to $248,240.
To report on Pasifika issues for Discovery NZ’s news organisations, including Newshub.

Targeted Roles

A Digital Graphic Designer and an Audience Engagement Expert for one year, Indian Newslink, up to $186,992.
To improve the design of the news site and add graphics to print and online stories, and to connect with new and younger audiences over social media channels.

A Chief of Staff and a Newsreader for one year, The National Pacific Radio Trust, up to $207,461.
To provide coordination, sub-editing and organisational leadership in the newsroom, and to provide specialist news reading services.

A part-time Sub-Editor for one year, Metro Media Group Ltd, up to $20,316.
To increase the magazine’s overall capacity to produce quality journalism.

ROUND 4

Industry Development funding

Industry Development Fund Cadet Scheme, Allied Press, up to $516,000.
One year cadet scheme for up to five new journalists, addressing skills and recruitment gaps in regional and local news organisations.

Training for Existing Journalists (Professional development), Indo Kiwi United Trust, up to $35,300.
Training and professional development for the staff of NZ Punjabi News.

Trainee/cadet journalist, North & South Media Limited, up to $68,200 for one year.
To recruit, mentor and train a cadet journalist as a long-form journalism practitioner, building on training currently offered by The Next Page, a NZ On Air funded programme.

Projects Funding

The South Today, Allied Press, up to $695,000.
To deliver local video news content to local communities in collaboration with the Allied Press daily and regional community newspaper network across the South Island.

Mental Health, Apna Networks Ltd, up to $101,897.
A podcast series to empower migrant ethnic communities to appropriately respond to mental health issues.

T2t Teina 2 Tuākana, Cinco Cine Film Productions Ltd, up to $800,000.
A pilot development and content creation programme between Cinco Cine, 15 NZ schools, Whakaata Māori and the Pacific Media Network introducing tamariki and rangatahi to journalism as a viable career.

Uneasy Money: How We Pay for Art, Metro Media Group Limited, up to $39,380.
A series of four long-form feature articles about how the arts get funded, and what the different methods of funding mean for the production and reception of art in Aotearoa.

Local Elections 2022, The Spinoff, up to $160,187.
A dedicated team of writers and contributors to cover the elections throughout the motu.

Local Focus 2022-2, Very Nice Productions Ltd, up to $604,520.
Regional video news for Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and Whanganui, with accompanying articles.

Targeted Roles Funding

Ara mai he tētē kura, Te Reo o Ngāti Kahungunu Inc, up to $214,245 for two roles over one year.
To utilise current radio content and transform it ready for online distribution, so that content is more readily available and accessible to reach a wider audience.

Content Roles Funding

Hawke’s Bay Local Accountability Reporting, BayBuzz, up to $88,800 for two part-time roles over one year.
To deepen coverage in three key areas; agribiz-environment, healthcare delivery and public body accountability.

Content Producing Roles, Indian Newslink, up to $362,520 for two roles over two years.
To report on issues related to youth in South Asian communities including education, language, culture, heritage, community relations, family violence, suicide prevention, child poverty and the Treaty of Waitangi.

Video Content Creator, Newsroom NZ Ltd, up to $159,340 for one role over two years.
A video content creator to work alongside Newsroom’s journalists to visualise public interest stories so they are seen by a wider and more diverse audience.

Junior/Intermediate Role, Crux, up to $139,520 for one role over two years.
To support provision of strong, public interest journalism in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago districts.

Te Reo Kahika (MFM), Te Reo Irirangi o Maniapoto, up to $160,000 for two roles over one year.
To support Te Reo Kahika, news service for Rereahu-Maniapoto, sharing tribal news using bilingual local narratives through a range of established on-air and online platforms.

ROUND 3

Projects

Cultural Competency and Commissioning project, for Allied Press and associated publications, up to $61,725.
Long-form articles and staff training programmes.

Charity Sector Investigation for BusinessDesk, up to $154,020.
An in-depth investigation into New Zealand’s $18b charity sector.

Newshub Nation 2022, 41 X 50 mins, Discovery NZ for Three, up to $978,175.
Current affairs.

The Hui, 40 x 28 min shows and 40 x 28 min podcasts, Great Southern Television and Aotearoa Media Collective for Three, up to $737,036.
Current affairs from a Māori perspective.

Kakalu o Tonga, Kakalu Media for Kakalu o Tonga online, up to $9,817.
Website creation and livestream capability to enhance the sustainability of Pasifika news media.

A Voice for Tangaroa, Kowhai Media for NZ Geographic, up to $146,745.
Stories that focus on reporting about the ocean around Aotearoa.

Kea Kids News, Luke Nola & Friends for Stuff, up to $653,773.
Video news reports and explainers for and by tamariki, videos for digital platforms and social media platforms.

Ohinga 2, Mahi Tahi Media for Re: TVNZ, up to $264,386.
A reo Māori-fluent show which explores Aotearoa through the lens of rangatahi with a current affairs edge.

Miria Te Pounamu, Whakaata Māori, up to $189,200.
A series of on-the-job training wānanga to increase and enhance the professional development of Māori newsroom staff in bilingual and digital journalism.

Rural Issues: Women’s perspectives on contemporary social and cultural issues, Muster Vibrant Rural Communities for Shepherdess Magazine platforms, up to $292,692.
Articles and video stories.

Newsroom Investigates 2022, 60 mins minimum, Newsroom NZ, up to $336,358.
Investigative current affairs video.

Climate Change Interview Series, Newsroom NZ, up to $40,000.
Video interviews focused on how New Zealand will move to a low carbon future.

Exploring Aotearoa’s Chinese Communities, North & South Media, for North & South Magazine, up to $25,000.
A feature series exploring different facets of Chinese communities in New Zealand.

Whenua: Is it yours? NZME, up to $80,500.
An interactive database, map and features that explore how and when land became part of the Pākehā property system in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Stuff Circuit 2022, 90 mins minimum, Stuff, up to $324,200.
Investigative current affairs video.

Tagata Pasifika, 51 x 23 mins and 2 x 90 mins, SunPix for TVNZ 1, up to $1,919,913.
Pasifika news and current affairs.

Te Pararē, 32 digital issues, Te Mana Ākonga - National Māori Students Magazine, up to $28,240.
Māori rangatahi current affairs.

The Quarter Million, The Spinoff, up to $152,304.
A series of features and online stories providing a youth perspective on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.

News 2 Me (formerly Kids Kōrero), TVNZ for TVNZ2 and Radio New Zealand (RNZ), up to $517,364.
Podcast and video news, and current affairs and explainers for 10 –14-year-olds.

Q + A with Jack Tame 2022, 40 x 59 mins, plus a two-hour special, TVNZ, up to $842,200.
Current affairs.

Roles (funded for one year)

Partnership Editor, Allied Press, up to $145,650. (Amount contracted to date $145,612)
A new editorial team role to bring a kaupapa Māori framework to its newsrooms.

Sub-Editor, Campus Radio 95bFM, up to $32,916.
To assist newsroom staff and improve the quality of journalistic output.

Newshub Cultural Partnership Navigator, Discovery NZ, up to $130,500.
To introduce a kaupapa Māori framework to its newsroom.

Digital Editor, GlobalHQ, up to $105,000. (Amount contracted to date $101,750)
To diversify content and improve engagement with a digital audience.

Kaiwhakatiki Hourua, Kowhai Media Ltd, up to $55,020.
To incorporate a tikanga Māori perspective at an organisational level.

Editor/Mentor and Digital Marketing Manager, Mana Trust for E-Tangata, up to $165,000.
To increase editing, mentoring capacity and sustainability by building its digital capability.

Sub Editor, Newsroom NZ, up to $91,679.
To improve the quality and variety of online news content.

Kaupapa Editor and Audio Innovation role, NZME, up to $200,280.
To provide leadership and training around tikanga and build relationships with mana whenua, and to ensure the accessible delivery of news for blind and low-vision people.

Digital Content Editor, Radio One 91FM, up to $20,000. (Amount contracted to date $19,459)
To adapt all on-air news content for online news channels.

Kurawhakaue Partnership Editor, RNZ, up to $108,000. (Amount contracted to date $88,470)
To operationalise the RNZ Rautaki Māori company-wide, offer cultural training and insight, and be the kaitiaki of te reo Māori.

Te reo Māori Translator, Stuff, up to $103,000.
To ensure parity of lingual representation and offer important public interest news for reo-speaking communities.

Kawea Te Rongo Kaiwhakahaere, Te Po, up to $68,250.
To support the functions and duties of Kawea Te Rongo – Māori Journalists Association.

Sub Editor, The Spinoff, up to $105,450.
To develop practices that enhance accessibility such as captioning and alternative text, and to provide internal workshops.

Business Development role and Social Media Specialist (3 months), The Pantograph Punch, up to $95,040.
To increase the sustainability of arts journalism in Aotearoa.

Pasifika Youth Digital News Editor, Tikilounge Productions, up to $75,000.
To enhance Coconet’s reporting reach and editorial capacity to represent Pasifika rangatahi.

ROUND 2

Roles

All roles are funded for two years unless otherwise stated.

**20 x Community and Pou Tiaki  reporting roles, Stuff, up to $2,789,240. (Amount contracted to date $2,178,375)
To uplift the voices and stories of Māori and minority groups across Stuff publications.

**20 x Local Democracy Reporting roles, RNZ, up to $3,554,000. (Amount contracted to date $2,977,920)
To fill gaps in local government coverage, mostly in regional New Zealand, as part of a national reporting scheme across 26 publications/platforms.

15 x roles for Open Justice - Te Pātiti scheme, NZME, up to $2,995,702. (Amount contracted to date $2,877,577)
A national multimedia service aiming to cover court and legal affairs out of regions that currently receive little or no in-depth coverage, across 11 publications.

7 x roles for Whakaata Māori, four Pou Kawe Kōrero (Reporter /Mentor) roles and three Pou Matarau (Digital Producers), Whakaata Māori, up to $1,593,000. (Amount contracted to date $1,519,667)
To improve the sustainability and digital reach/quality of Whakaata Māori news and current affairs.

Māori and Pasifika Arts and Culture Writer, School Road Publishing for Woman magazine, up to $189,660. (Amount contracted to date $173,160)
To provide feature profiles and topics relevant to ethnic communities.

Editor/Senior Journalist and Junior Journalist, SunPix for Tagata Pasifika TP+, up to $273,600.
To increase the ability of Tagata Pasifika TP+ to produce text-based content from regional areas.

Auckland Council Reporter, Local Matters, for Local Matters and nine other community print publications, up to $150,148.
To cover Auckland Council and other local body and committee meetings.

Community reporter/intermediate journalist, Crux Publishing for Crux, up to $151,200.
To increase local coverage in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago districts.

Māori politics reporter and Pacific communities' editor, The Spinoff, up to $427,800. (Amount contracted to date $250,112)
To provide news and current affairs content focused on Māori politics and Pasifika stories.

Rural Content Editor, Ashburton Guardian, up to $150,000.
To ensure coverage of rural issues.

Local Government reporter (part-time for one year), Central App, up to $31,200.
To provide coverage of the Cromwell Community Board.

South Island correspondent, North & South, up to $230,000.
To cover issues relating to the South Island but of national significance.

4 x part-time South Island reporting roles for Newsroom and 1 x shared Māori Editor role for Newsroom and North & South, up to $528,316. (Amount contracted to date $519,616)
To lead coverage of te ao Māori across both publications.

3 x Court reporters and 1 x Southern Issues reporter, Allied Press for Otago Daily Times and other Allied Press publications, up to $711,797. (Amount contracted to date $702,265)

Reporter, Valley Media for The Valley Profile, up to $127,096.
To provide consistent local government coverage.

Kaupapa Māori reporter, The Gisborne Herald, up to $183,240. (Amount contracted to date $177,000)
To report on Māori issues and build relationships with local iwi.

A part-time Māori reporter/editor, Metro Media Group for Metro Magazine, up to $47,600.
To write and commission news content, and identify and mentor new Māori contributors.

** 2 x senior writer-editors, 1 x regional writer and 1 x junior writer, Mana Trust for E-Tangata, up to $650,000. (Amount contracted to date for 2 roles only - $339,900)
To help build and strengthen the production.

4 x roles, a senior Auckland reporter, Wellington reporter, Christchurch reporter and Hamilton reporter, Kiwi Media Publishing for The Indian Weekender, up to $705,000.
To increase news content for Indian audiences.

**Wellington political/regional reporter, Digital video editor, Current affairs producer and Senior sub-editor/chief of staff, (for one year) National Pacific Radio Trust for Pacific Media Network, up to $275,000. (Amount contracted to date for 3 roles only - $195,000)
To increase coverage of Pasifika stories.

*Partnerships Editor and Manutaki Māori role, (for one year), Television New Zealand for TVNZ News, up to $206,000.
To ensure cultural competency in reporting across multiple news and current affairs programmes.

Digital journalist, Te Reo Irirangi O Te Hiku O Te Ika, up to $176,200. (Amount contracted to date $171,200)
To create online public interest journalism (PIJ) content from radio interviews.

Video journalist based in Masterton (for one year), Very Nice Productions for Local Focus, up to $105,000. (Amount contracted to date $74,377)
Providing video content to both NZME and the Wairarapa Times-Age websites.

Full-time Editor, 0.5 FTE Editor, 3 x senior journalists, 2 x trainee journalists, (for one year), UMA Broadcasting for Radio Waatea, up to $774,000. (Roles are yet to be contracted)
For a bilingual news service.

**Māori Affairs reporter, a Pasifika and an Asian Affairs reporter, Discovery New Zealand for Newshub, up to $695,560. (Amount contracted to date $514,164)
To increase the quality and diversity of news stories.

Non-incremental Roles

NZME, up to $940,188 over two years.
To retain roles in its free community newspapers across Rotorua, Napier, Hastings, Whanganui, Manawatū, Taupō, Horowhenua and Kapiti.

Stuff, up to $731,300 over two years. (Amount contracted to date $674,772)
To retain roles providing public interest journalism across the Marlborough region.

ROUND 1

Projects – National

The Detail, Newsroom NZ for RNZ, up to $806,135.
Daily podcasts explaining the stories behind the headlines, giving greater context and understanding of notable events.

The Whole Truth, Stuff for Stuff.co.nz, up to $591,465.
An animated fact-checking project designed to protect public health.

Paakiwaha, UMA Broadcasting for Waateanews.com, up to $433,000.
A bilingual news and current affairs show providing a breakfast current affairs programme available on iwi radio stations.

IRL, Hex Work for The Spinoff, up to $335,746.
IRL will explore the real-world consequences of online life through in-depth investigative features and personal stories.

Party People, Aotearoa Media Collective for RNZ, Tūranga FM, Radio Waatea, up to $236,930.
An audio and video series bringing scrutiny and review to politics, whilst preserving an upbeat and conversational approach to political analysis.

Nē?, Hex Work for The Spinoff, up to $217,325. (Amount contracted to date $208,908)
Nē? is a podcast and written series that will explore hot issues within te ao Māori through an informed and dynamic Māori lens.

Inside Child Poverty 10 Years On, Red Sky Film & Television for Three, up to $204,970.
Investigative journalist Bryan Bruce will review what has or has not been done to improve the lives of our nation’s most deprived tamariki.

Ifoga, SunPix for TP+ online, E-Tangata, Māori Television, Pacific Media Network (NPRT), up to $181,118.
A video series to investigate the ongoing stories of Pasifika who have suffered abuse in state care.

The Hui: Summer Edition, Great Southern Television for Newshub.co.nz and The Hui online platforms, up to $178,729. (Amount contracted to date $173,181.65)
A summer edition of the Māori current affairs programme produced by up-and-coming Māori journalists to be broadcast during The Hui’s summer hiatus.

How Good Is Our Public Service? BusinessDesk, up to $174,092.
A non-paywalled multimedia series that will assess the quality, size, organisation, capabilities and composition of NZ’s public service.

Maisuka, SunPix for TP+, Pacific Media Network (NPRT), E-Tangata, Whakaata Māori, up to $131,139.
A documentary investigating the tsunami of Type 2 diabetes in the Moana Pacific adolescent population and its impact.

Being Teen, Kowhai Media for New Zealand Geographic, up to $98,533.
A text and photography-based longitudinal series looking at the lives, hopes, dreams, desires and challenges of 10 NZ teenagers entering adulthood.

Cybersecurity in Aotearoa, Techday for SecurityBrief New Zealand, CFOtech New Zealand, IT Brief New Zealand, bizEDGE New Zealand, Channel Life New Zealand and Future Five New Zealand, up to $73,152.
A series of text-based stories and interviews focusing on issues of cybersecurity in Aotearoa.

*System Overhaul, North & South Media for North & South, up to $42,500.
An investigative long-form text story looking at efforts to fix a deeply troubled state care sector.

The Living Forest, Lifestyle Publishing for Wilderness Magazine, up to $4,250.
A text-based series that will visit three iwi in New Zealand to understand their relationship with the ngāhere (forest).

Projects – Local/Regional

Local Focus, Very Nice Productions for NZ Herald and NZME regional publications, up to $840,000. (Amount contracted to date $525,020)
An expansion of the current regional video news service provided to a wider reach of regional centres.

The South Today, Allied Press for ODT.co.nz, up to $675,000.
An expanded service of video news content to local communities in the South Island.

*Te Awa, Awa FM, up to $498,370.
News made from the perspective of Whanganui Māori in Whanganui dialect reo and English.

Haukāinga, Te Reo Irirangi O Te Hiku O Te Ika for Tehiku.nz, up to $460,000.
A regional journalism initiative providing news, current affairs, and live broadcasts to Māori audiences in Northland and to wider iwi radio.

Rotorua Weekender - Te Wāhanga Reo Rua, NZME for Rotorua Weekender, up to $440,000.
A weekly bilingual Te Reo Māori and English section in the Rotorua Weekender newspaper to shine a light on local Rotorua iwi issues and people.

Xin xi Lan, (formerly Forever a Foreigner), Stuff for PlayStuff, Whakaata Māori, up to $214,360. (Amount contracted to date $202,880)
A multimedia series investigates what it was really like for NZ’s first Asian immigrants and descendants, and the issues Chinese New Zealanders face.

Deep South, Crux for Crux.org.nz, up to $189,522.
An investigative video series examining complex social and economic issues in the lower half of the South Island, Te Waipounamu.

Fault Lines, Vanishing Point Studio for North & South, Westport News, Greymouth Star, Hokitika Guardian, Nelson Weekly, Marlborough Weekly, Tahu FM, up to $166,600.
A cross-platform piece of explanatory journalism looking at the science behind, and the communities at risk of, the rupture of the Alpine Fault.

Whakatupuria Te Moana A Toi, Radio Bay of Plenty, up to $97,000. (Amount contracted to date $88,313)
A radio-based, multimedia project that will report on the $200m Provincial Growth Fund projects in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Te Ao Mārama, Salient Magazine, up to $7,291.
A special edition of Salient produced by Māori students who will be mentored and supported at Victoria University of Wellington.

Industry Development

Te Rito Journalism Project, NZME, Whakaata Māori, Newshub and Pacific Media Network, up to $2,419,253 (funding spans two financial years, $800,000 in Year 1).
A programme to identify and train 25 cadet Māori, Pasifika and diverse journalists.

Kōmiromiro (formerly Pīpī Paopao), Aotearoa Media Collective, up to $361,815.
A training initiative providing regional workshops for more than 100 iwi radio staff, to strengthen Māori public interest journalism in Māori communities.

Training: Multi-lens Journalism, Stuff, up to $300,800. (Amount contracted to date $353,430)
A cultural competency course for Stuff journalists (eventually to be shared across the industry) that covers reporting best practice around disability, ageism, LGBTQIA+ communities, te ao Māori, and race and racism, in collaboration with the education and advocacy sectors.

The Next Page, Current Affairs and Culture Magazine Mentorship Programme, The Spinoff, up to $287,310.
A training initiative pairing journalism cadets with a mentor across NZ publications including Metro, North & South, NZ Geographic, and The Pantograph Punch.

BusinessDesk Cadet Training Programme, BusinessDesk up to $191,000.
Training for 2 x specialist business journalists at the Auckland and Wellington newsrooms of BusinessDesk.

Disability Roadshow, Attitude Pictures, up to $121,420.
Workshops around the country to upskill journalists in best practice disability rights and reporting, including a paid internship position for a writer with the lived experience of disability.

Photo Aotearoa, Kowhai Media, up to $98,256.
A four-day intensive workshop and a three-month mentoring programme training photojournalists with international mentors.

Newsroom training, Newsroom NZ, up to $50,610.
Training to upskill two graduate journalists across a diverse range of journalism skills.

Coconet Reporter Training, Tikilounge Productions, up to $49,324.
Training to upskill three Coconet reporter trainees in kaupapa Pasifika journalism.