17 Dec 2019

Government plans for RNZ and TVNZ remain up in the air

12:17 pm on 17 December 2019

A Cabinet decision on the future on RNZ and TVNZ has been delayed until early next year.

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Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi says ministers need more time to decide on the future on RNZ and TVNZ Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas

The Broadcasting Minister will not meet his commitment to announce the government plan for public media by Christmas, because ministers want more work done before making a final decision.

Cabinet had one proposal to consider - disestablish RNZ and TVNZ and create one new public media entity.

RNZ understands a boost to New Zealand On Air funding was also part of the package.

Minister Kris Faafoi said he intended to make a public announcement by Christmas, but that was not going to happen.

"There are a few i's to dot and t's to cross before Cabinet will make a decision so we'll come back in the New Year and hopefully deal with some of those," said Mr Faafoi.

"Cabinet colleagues had a few questions and I think that's fair to go and make sure that those issues are addressed before we make a final decision."

He would not go into detail about the kind of questions other ministers had, but said they needed to make sure "strengthening public media is a commitment that the government wants to make".

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