RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson - Treasury states: 'RNZ needs to deliver its operations more efficiently, including right sizing,' says a Treasury report.'

RNZ is planning to cut 25 to 30 roles - around 10% of its workforce - over the next 10 months as part of a major cost-cutting move.

The public broadcaster has told staff it needs to reduce staff numbers to remain “financially sustainable”.

RNZ has around 342 full-time equivalentstaff.

“I know this information is challenging,” staff were told in an email from RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson on Friday morning.

“I am sharing it because we must work on this together and get the best outcome for our people and audiences while acknowledging difficult decisions will be made.”

He said RNZ had absorbed a 7% reduction in funding in 2025 by cutting spending in several years including marketing and commissioning, and reducing staff numbers by 5%.

In May this year, RNZ’s funding was cut by a further 2%, with the prospect of another 5% reduction in each of the following two years.

Thompson himself leaves RNZ at the end of this year; RNZ has been recruiting for a new chief executive.

Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.