Following the government’s decision to create a new public media entity by merging RNZ and TVNZ, nine Establishment Board members have been announced to lead the creation of the new broadcasting body.

These include corporate bosses and a former minister.

Minister for Broadcasting and Media Kris Faafoi announced former MP and New Zealand First broadcasting spokeswoman Tracey Martin as the chair of the board.

Other members include Former MediaWorks chief executive Michael Anderson and current TVNZ board chair and Briscoe Group director Andy Coupe, TVNZ’s Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver, Bailey Mackey – an NZ Rugby director and Māori Broadcasting Advisory Panel member, Dr Jim Mather, RNZ board chair and former Māori Television chair, ANZ Bank executive and RNZ board member Peter Parussini, former Kordia Group chair John Quirk and tech entrepreneur and augmented reality producer Aliesha Staples.

As of 2020, TVNZ had revenues of $340m and 390 staff, while RNZ had a staff strength of 310 with $50m revenues.

Faafoi said the new entity would be multi-platform and designed to reach new and existing audiences. It would be built on the best of the TV and radio entities and could better meet the challenges of changing technology and global competition.

Legislation to create the entity would be introduced to Parliament in the next few months.

The public would then have the chance to give feedback through the select committee stage.