TVNZ's long-form current affairs show Sunday is being cancelled.
The confirmation of an end to the show comes after yesterday's news the Midday and Tonight news bulletins at that state-owned broadcaster were being axed.
The television broadcast of long-running consumer affairs show Fair Go is also ending, but there is a new proposal for the brand to live on, with a new team proposed within the news and current affairs division.
This would consist of four new roles and have a focus on long-form consumer and current affairs for digital platforms.
In a statement on social media, the Sunday team said they were "gutted".
"Not just for the loss of our jobs, but for the loss of a special part of the news landscape in Aotearoa that gave New Zealanders a voice for more than 20 years.
"TVNZ have told us that they want to reimagine current affairs, with a smaller digital offering. But Sunday as we’ve known it will end."
Re: News confirmed its team was being cut from 10 to six.
"Despite being reduced in number, our team will do our best to continue to provide you the quality news and current affairs content you know and love."
In total, more than 60 roles are to go.
Chief executive Jodi O'Donnell said the decision to stop production of Sunday was a difficult decision.
"I want to acknowledge the excellent journalism that Sunday has delivered to New Zealand audiences over many years," she said.
"As we announced yesterday, we’re proposing to establish a new long-form team within our news operation, which would continue to bring important current affairs and consumer affairs stories to Aotearoa in a different way on our digital platforms.
"The economic and structural challenges our sector faces have never been more evident than today.
"We’re focused on securing a sustainable future for TVNZ and that means leaning into a period of change and digital transformation so we can continue to deliver for New Zealand viewers and advertisers."
Union confirms a legal challenge has been filed
The union covering many of the affected TVNZ staff has filed a claim with the Employment Relations Authority against TVNZ. A statement from E tū said it was the union's view that the company did not follow its consultation requirements, as guaranteed for workers in their collective agreement.
E tū negotiation specialist Michael Wood said it was vital for TVNZ to follow the correct processes through such significant changes.
“It’s crystal clear in the TVNZ collective agreement that workers must be involved in developing proposals like this, not just asked for their views at the end of the process,” he said.
Almost 300 positions to go in Newshub closure, TVNZ calls time on Sunday show. (Source: 1News)
“The fact is, members simply weren’t given the opportunity to engage with the design of TVNZ’s plan until the proposal was presented."
Wood said workers should be involved at all stages, "not just because it’s their right, but because they have valuable insights that would have helped TVNZ to develop a better proposal".
Wood said the short consultation process had already proven the value of member participation.
“Workers have convinced TVNZ to introduce a new team for long-form consumer and current affairs reporting. That’s a win and reinforces that a proper process could have led to much better outcomes.
The E tū negotiation specialist added there was huge public support for TVNZ’s workers and the vital content they created.
"This is all the more important given we’ve also learned today the plan to take Newshub off air is going ahead."
Slump in advertising revenue
The changes at TVNZ come amid a slump in advertising revenue which prompted the broadcaster to cut costs. It posted an operating loss of $4.6 million for the six-month period to the end of December.
It had earlier trimmed the number of general managers and its executive level.
Under the original proposals, up to 68 roles were under threat, with changes also proposed for youth-focused Re: News, the video editing team, and operations.
The axed shows were set to end in mid-May.
Also today, Newshub's closure was confirmed by Warner Bros Discovery, with close to 300 jobs to go. Newshub's final day will be July 5. The closure would involve shuttering the publisher's news shows and online news website.
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