Mediawatch

Managing the sugar-free Budget message, TVNZ youth service dies young 30.05.2026 33min

How media managed the message of a 'sugar-free' Budget, and highlighted entitlements for MPs. Also what the Budget might mean for our media, and why an award-winning youth service closed down for good this week. Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:05 How the government managed expectations of a sugar-free Budget 2026 via the media - while media zeroed in on treats and entitlements enjoyed by MPs.10:36 Budget 2026 cut the budgets of public media, though Māori media funding was boosted to ward off a ‘fiscal cliff.’13:21 TVNZ’s closing its award-winning news service for youth Re:News after nine successful years.17:20 Former head of content Anna Harcourt on what Re:News achieved, what will be missed when it’s gone and how to get news to younger Kiwis.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

Midweek - Awards and honours, future of papers, journalism by numbers, Dame Jools 27.05.2026 24min

Awards in tense times between politics & media, RNZ's ratings, pondering papers' future, journalism by numbers - and the death of Dame Jools Topp.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Public servants cut deep, RNZ boss flags exit, AI for programmes & podcasts 23.05.2026 43min

Media-weigh up cuts to public service and claims AI can fill the gap. Also: RNZ's long-serving boss flags his exit amid political calls for change, AI for programme-makers and podcasters. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - mayors mouth off, end of the golden weather page 20.05.2026 22min

Two mayors mouth off and get a little loose in long-form chats - and a former one blasts the media in a Waitangi Tribunal inquiry. Also: Stuff papers dump the weather page- and some talkback callers aren't happy. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Politicians vs media getting personal, live sport habits, cockroach radio, MMP maths 16.05.2026 44min

Politicians vs media: the worst it’s ever been, and getting worse? Or just more of the butting heads between the powerful and the press we’ve always had? Also: live sport’s not just a TV and radio game these days, radio is a cockroach (and cheap) and an MMP maths fail. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - Sherman pile-on and pile-up, TVNZ's big sport play, football frenzies 13.05.2026 21min

Maiki Sherman's exits sparks a pile-on and a pile-up of opinions. Also: TVNZ's bold sports plays, frenzied football finales. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Putting down the broadcast watchdog, deputy PM lashes RNZ & TVNZ 09.05.2026 44min

The government wants to scrap the BSA and fill the accountability void with self-regulation. Would that work? Would standards suffer? Will it happen at all? Also: ministers must not interfere in public broadcasters, but the Deputy PM has sounded off about RNZ, TVNZ and its outgoing political editor.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - BSA binned, Voyager sinned, Tame's empty chair & Brown's beefs 06.05.2026 23min

Government moves to bin the BSA, Voyager awards bin sponsor, Jack Tame's empty chair & Wayne Brown says 'don't go there' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

India FTA & butter chicken blurts, TVNZ’s political pressure, stadium rocks rugby 02.05.2026 41min

Our FTA with India’s a big deal, but how did our media deal with blurts from opponents - as well as our changing place in a fast-changing world? Also: TVNZ under political pressure - and a new stadium spark rugby joy while the Warriors spark worry. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - Political tension at TVNZ, PM skips Breakfast, the power of noise & silence 29.04.2026 26min

TVNZ's political editor under scrutiny - as PM skips Breakfast. Also: Piers Morgan vs Russell Brand in pauses & York City vs Rochdale full noise.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

PM calls time on ‘soap opera’, Microsoft urges NZ to embrace AI, dodgy weather on TV 25.04.2026 40min

Reports National MPs might roll their leader sparked a frenzy that prompted the PM's ‘put-up-or-shut-up’ vote. When he won, he told media to shut up too. Fair enough? Also: Microsoft’s main man’s urged NZ to embrace AI while an expert warns our media have a lot to lose - and dodgy weather on TV.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - vote of confidence, TVNZ+ upgrade, dogs on screen 22.04.2026 23min

Who's happy after the PM's 'put up or shut up' showdown? Also: TVNZ tweaks its on-demand offering, sheepdogs on screen, one dodgy weather show and one dodgy song. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

News trust up after years of slumps, storm before the calm 18.04.2026 36min

Trust in the news is up again after years of decline, the latest annual survey says. But it als says trust in social media is up and more of us tune out the news more often. What’s going on? Also: Vaianu wasn’t as deadly as the media warned. Did they get it wrong?Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteNew Zealanders' trust in news is up after years of slumpsIn this episode:0:50 The media took Cyclone Vaianu seriously, amplifying official warnings it could be life-threatening. When it wasn’t, many accused the media of over-reacting.11:40 Our trust in news has bounced back a bit in the latest annual survey, after several years of decline.17:45 Is it a trend or a blip? The report’s authors, the AUT’s Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell with their take.Guests: Dr Merja Myllylahti and Dr Greg Treadwell from the AUT’s centre for Journalism, Media and Democracy.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

Midweek - Breakfast battles, trust up, Welly woe, piggybacking on others' content 15.04.2026 25min

Over-egged media battle at breakfast-time, piggy-backing on others’ content, chronicling the capital's crisis, a surprise bump in trust in our news. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Reporting Trump’s outrageous outbursts, Petrolhead & motoring media adapt to fuel fears 11.04.2026 46min

Some say he's unhinged. Others reckon outrageous utterances are part of his media management. How should media handle the stuff Trump says? Also: public figures cutting loose in long podcasts - and is it the best or worst of times for a publication called Petrolhead? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - Trump outburst outrage, Aussie soldier's fall from grace, Phillips doco revelations 08.04.2026 22min

Outrageous outbursts from Trump - again. Also: revealing details of the documentary about the Police pursuit of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips, and a huge fall from grace for a former soldier who took on the Aussie media - and Emile's sweary save. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Midweek - BSA extends reach, a bad week for Big Tech, breakfast with Tova and an easter chocolate ban. 01.04.2026 25min

The BSA has decided it has jurisdiction over digital outlets like The Platform - hosted by former-RNZer Sean Plunket - sparking heated debate. US Courts find Instagram and YouTube caused harm to children, what does that mean? And a look at Tova O'Brien's Breakfast debut.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Who’s winning the war, where the ad money goes, Chathams spending scandal 28.03.2026 40min

The bulk of the big money advertisers spent in our media goes offshore to big online operators. What’s the future for the ad industry here? Also: mixed messages about when the war will end in Iran, and startling spending in the Chathams that hit the headlines too late.Read more about Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:1:01 Who’s winning the war that’s fouling up the flow of our fuel? Depends who you hear - and believe - in the media. . .10:47 Three quarters of the $4 billion spent on ads here last year went online - and the vast bulk of the ended up offshore. What does this mean for our media and the onshore ad business?29:54 Big spending blew a huge hole in the Chatham Islands council’s budget, prompting its high profile boss to quit his role and its expensively-renovated house. But there was no news outlet there to expose it until it was too late.Guests: Alex Radford, chair of IMANZ and media agency D3; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.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

Midweek - media v Hegseth, TVNZ defamation win, SNL from USA to UK. peas piffle 25.03.2026 20min

The media chalk up a win in the Pentagon - maybe. Also: TVNZ's comprehensive court win over co-governance campaigner, some bold journalism from newspapers in the South Island, SNL in the UK, Emile's sweary surprise save. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Reporting shortages & petrol panic, privacy v the right to speak out 21.03.2026 39min

Reporting shortages without prompting petrol panic. Also: a social media post about the Labour Party leader ended up as headline news - in spite of denials and no-one knowing what’s really true. Does the right to tell a story override others’ right to privacy - or the public interest? Read more about this episode of Mediawatch on the RNZ websiteIn this episode:00:50 How the media reacted to the prospect of fuel shortages and the possibility of heavy measures to manage them, and rekindling memories of carless days.11:00 Newsroom Pro editor Jonathan Milne on reporting shortages without prompting panic - and the bigger picture of our oil dependence and the reality of energy supplies.17:05 Damaging personal allegations about Labour leader Chris Hipkins spread widely in social media after a single post by his former partner, creating a dilemma for news media.22:03 Media law expert Nicole Moreham on the legal limits on the right to tell your own story when it clashes with the privacy rights of others, defamation and the public interest.Guests: Nicole Moreham, professor of law at Victoria University of Wellington; Jonathan Milne, editor of Newsroom Pro.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