RNZ and NZ On Air to split $15 million from Government for boosted content

Photo credit: Anna Bracewell-Worrall/Newshub.

Radio New Zealand and New Zealand on Air have received a shared windfall of $15 million dollars.

The first $6 million of the funding will be used to create a new NZ innovation fund.

"The new Innovation Fund will see RNZ commissioning content in a joint venture with NZ On Air." said Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran.

The multi-media content developed with this funding will air on RNZ platforms and be commissioned from the independent production sector using NZ On Air's existing funding processes."

A further $8.5 million will be separately split between RNZ and NZ on Air.

"RNZ will receive $4.5 million to extend its services to reach more people in different ways. It takes RNZ several steps closer toward the fully digital multi-platform public media organisation - RNZ+.

"$4 million is ear-marked for NZ On Air to support the production of more diverse local content."

RNZ+ had been thrown into doubt after the revelation of a meeting between Ms Curran the broadcasters former head of news Carol Hirschfield.

The Labour Party had campaigned on spending $38 million a year on RNZ and NZ on Air, but only $15 million was announced in Budget 2018.

Newshub.

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