30 August 2022

The penultimate round of the Public Interest Journalism Fund will open this Thursday 1 September inviting applications to all three pillars of the fund – Roles, Projects and Industry Development.

Criteria specific to this round are available online and we also urge applicants to read the General Guidelines as well to ensure they are eligible to apply.

Feedback from the PIJF Industry Advisory Panel has suggested the remaining two rounds of the PIJF should look to build on the success of previously funded roles and projects by allowing them to reapply for further funding. While NZ On Air accepts this guidance, applicants do need to note that this will increase the contestable pressure on Rounds 6 and 7.

As a result, it is important to note in this round, there are limits to how many applications you can make.

  • 1 Industry Development application (new or previously funded)
  • 1 Project application (new or previously funded)
  • 2 Roles across both Targeted or Content Creation categories (not including Te Rito graduates)

Round 6 makes special provision for employing graduates of the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship scheme, so please see the Round 6 Criteria for full details.

For applications with TVNZ or RNZ as primary platforms, we may need to consider the implications of full funding across 2023 in light of the upcoming full operational launch of the ANZPM from 1 July 2023. Please contact Head of Journalism Raewyn Rasch, raewyn@nzonair.govt.nz, if you wish to discuss this further.

As always, the Journalism team remain ready to help applicants so, if you have any questions, please set up a time and let’s have a kōrero. Email journalism@nzonair.govt.nz

PIJF Profiles

One of the goals of the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF) was to meet a growing need in the sector for journalism that truly reflects the Aotearoa and communities we live in.

This week, we kick off a new feature series on our NZ On Air website called PIJF Profiles. This is where we talk to some of the journalists NZ On Air has supported into media roles through the PIJF – and get a snapshot of the work they do and what they love about their job.

For our first PIJF Profile, we meet oceans reporter Kate Evans and oceans photojournalist, Richard Robinson, who are both funded under the PIJF to work with NZ Geographic Magazine. NZ Geographic Magazine/Kōwhai Media received funding in Round 3 of the PIJF for A Voice for Tangaroa, written features and stories that focus on the ocean around Aotearoa.

Check out the first of our PIJF Profiles here.