Mediawatch

Episoder

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  Political food fights, pondering the passing of journalism 12.09.2026 35min

  The media seized on the politics of food this week, when the Greens floated state-owned supermarkets and 1News lifted the lid on emergency food grant refusals. Also: who pays when journalism dies? And does it really matter if it does?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - TVNZ's next news chief, cartoons & mascots, Sky sorry again 09.09.2026 23min

  TVNZ takes Stuff exec for next news chief - next year, the legacy of a long-serving cartoonist, mascots make a marketing comeback, Sky TV offside again with fans again for live foul-up Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political head-to-heads hot up, are prediction markets legit news? 05.09.2026 36min

  Odds from Polymarket are popping up in our news, even though it's illegal here. But are prediction markets a legit source of news anyway? Also: head-to-head clashes between politicians, and with presenters, are heating up, but not always generating light.Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:10 Media picking apart political bickering over delayed fuel tax.5:50 Greens double down on misleading claims about MPs houses.8:02 Act pushed back on media criticism of policy to put ‘reside’ back in ‘residency’ rules.11:35 ZB host takes on Wellington mayor on Tiaki Wai rollout.17:05 Polymarket predictions popping up in our news, six months after it became illegal for NZers to use.23:11 Newsroom.co..nz senior business reporter Andrew Bevin on how prediction markets work and whether their odds are legit news or not.Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - plane crazy, animal ads & monkey mascots, debate update 02.09.2026 22min

  Was the Capetown flyover a PR masterstroke or disaster? Also - netball's bounceback, animal ads & monkey media mascots and an election debate update. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Parties pull plug on social media for teens, sports boosts broadcasters, Dolly dies 29.08.2026 33min

  The two big political parties want to pull the plug on social media for teens. But will ‘fast-following’ Australia work? Also: TV broadcasters cite soccer in boosted financials - and Dolly’s death triggers sadness. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - rugby hype & outage outrage, ratings & results, Whakaata Māori 26.08.2026 21min

  Media amp up the 'Great Rugby Rivalry'. Also: RNZ ratings, NZME results, Whakaata Māori changes, Raw Politics returns. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political twitch on taxing big tech, Kiwis' media maturing? 22.08.2026 36min

  It’s a full time job these days working out who the audience is, what they want and if they might get it elsewhere. What does the the biggest survey yet of Kiwis' media habits tell them about us? Also: politicians twitch about media, big tech and tax. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcasts00:48 Politicians twitch over taxing big tech - and why media policy’s rarely a priority for political parties with an eye on elections.10:02: The Empire Strikes Back? The latest WATA? survey shows ‘old’ local media more popular with more Kiwis, while previously fast-rising online offshore offerings are in retreat. 17:30 NZ on Air chief exec Cameron Harland says 2026 WATA? shows Kiwi media habits maturing into a balance of free vs paid, local vs global platforms. How does that influence where NZOA spends $100m a year of our money on content?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - RNZ shrinks as web stats soar, alt-media . . . & old-media? 19.08.2026 25min

  RNZ could shed 10 percent of staff in a year - as its digital audience hits new heights. Also - a round-up of political alt-media and old-media action, including Jackson v GarnerGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Luxon repeats defeat of foes, indie operator fires up election debates 15.08.2026 38min

  A single Herald story sparked a political drama and a media frenzy could have toppled the PM, but didn't . . . again. Also: the big TV election debates have yet to be set yet this time. But one indie outlet is already getting heavy hitters together to talk policy.In this episode:1:23 The media didn’t make up the move against the PM this week - but the made a lot of it, any many picked the wrong victor14:13 Election debates are usually hotly contested - but not yet this time, so far24:00 Pat Brittenden on the Big Hairy News debates around the country, persuading politicians to take part - and indie media eating the MSM’s lunchFollow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Luxon’s ructions, MediaWorks sold, crossing the line online, audience maturity 12.08.2026 23min

  PM still standing after repeat defeat of foes. Also: MediaWorks sold offshore, commentator heads for court over claims made online, are NZ media audiences maturing? And Tangy Fruits were lame. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Massaging the facts, uncovering undercover cops, acting up in schools 08.08.2026 37min

  How did a single media inquiry stop a multi-million-dollar health programme for prisons? Also: political parties competing for media attention on their election policies; politicians talking s*** - literally; and an unexpected local story from ‘spycops’ revelations in the UK. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - FIFA fail, Luxon comms flub, Comm Games wins, ex-minister's memoir 05.08.2026 23min

  Huge scoop derails FIFA plot, Commonwealth Games weighed up, Luxon's comms under scrutiny again, Kiri Allan's memoirGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political policy pile-ups, TikTok’s impact, gigs get gross 01.08.2026 33min

  Sunday’s no longer a day of rest in politics, as parties pump out policies to set the media agenda. Also: TikTok’s economic impact claims - and what the app is good for in business and politics; reports of diapers on the dancefloor. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:55 Policies on parental leave, Pharmac funding and AI data centres were all mixed up in the media as parties jostled for attention this week15:20 Social media on the election mix with 11 days to go17:45 TikTok makes big claims about its economic impact here - but says less about the tax it pays. Hear more on TikTok’s Economic Impact Report this week on The Detail19:53 The MediaLab’s Antony Young on coverage of TikTok’s report and what the app is good for in business, and political electioneering30:38 Does the ‘fun’flation-fueled cost of concerts really explain reports of people soiling themselves at big gigs?Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Stuff cuts, Nash exits & podcast profits, funflation & gigs gone to sh*t 29.07.2026 25min

  What might new cuts at Stuff mean? Also - political candidates and a 'prominent sportsperson' suffer the spotlight, fun-flation & the unfortunate consequences at live gigs. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Political dignity deficits, Long Story Short & paying for podcasts 25.07.2026 39min

  One sexist text to a podcasting politico had National gnashing their teeth, but it wasn’t the only political dignity deficit in the news this week. Also: are podcasts popular enough for people to pay enough for the makers to make a living here? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:54 Coverage of Nash’s text going public - and other political dignity deficits10:54 Midweek Mediawatch trail: golf vs football, sport obscures more war13:30 Paul Henry quizzed on levelling up news media and big tech16:49 Craig T Robertson on the global rise of podcasts - and start-ups upstaging big players.22:45 Local podcaster Eugene Bingham on making a living from it and new service Long Story Short.Follow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - FIFA v golf, Argie aggro, more war, McGruers of Marton 22.07.2026 20min

  World Cup v golf, Argentina v The World, US v Iran, Israel v Palestine- and a teary tribute to a Marton mainstay. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Paul Henry’s unveiling, Sam Neill stops the news, Stuff’s new local plan 18.07.2026 39min

  ACT’s unveiling of Paul Henry triggered a media frenzy - and claims the shock jock might shirk the work it takes to make it in politics. Also: how Sam Neill’s shock death stopped the news & Stuff’s new digital bid to hook local news readers. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:19 Sam Neill’s death shocked the media, but his depth and range were duly honoured.13:46 The stage-managed Paul Henry announcement prompted a full-on media frenzy, followed by scepticism about his commitment.25:48 Hosking misses the mark on political poll.27:47 Stuff rejigs Neighbourly to push back at platforms.30:00 Stuff’s masthead chief Joanna Norris on the NeighbourlyNews.co.nz planFollow Mediawatch and listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any podcast app to make sure you never miss an episode.Find more RNZ Podcasts at the new section of the RNZ website at rnz.co.nz/podcastsGo to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - Sam Neill's depth & range, Henry & Binface capture media, podcasting the courts 15.07.2026 27min

  Sam Neill's shock death jolted our media - but they admirably honoured his depth and range. Paul Henry and Count Binface candidacies captivates media, court news in podcast form. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Platforms overtake news outlets, politics & media undermining trust 11.07.2026 43min

  The biggest survey of news habits says more people now pick social media platforms than actual news media for news. And more of us are watching news on them rather than reading it. Also: claims that point-scoring, headline-hungry politicians undermine trust in news.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
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  Midweek - big defamation bill, NRL, FIFA, NPC & AI fake fans, Trump's red card reversal 08.07.2026 25min

  Who pays the big bill for a 'wholly unsuccessful' defamation case? Also: Facebook whistleblower still gagged and NRL, NPC, FIFA on TV - but will Kiwis warm to AI rugby fans? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details