RNZ stalwart Hewitt Humphrey facing redundancy in broadcaster's latest restructure

One of the most recognised voices on New Zealand radio, newsreader Hewitt Humphrey, is facing redundancy in a restructuring at Radio New Zealand that the state broadcaster says is vital if it's to break even in the current financial year.

Described on the RNZ website as having been "in radio longer than anyone can remember, including himself," Mr Humphrey holds the position of manager, presentation standards but continues to appear on air as a newsreader. Two other newsreader positions are among 20 fulltime positions that RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson told staff would be lost in moves that will reduce the state-funded broadcaster's total complement to 270 fulltime equivalent positions by July next year.

"These reductions are required to meet one of our key goals – to get back to a break-even position by July 1, 2016," he said in a memo to staff this week, obtained by BusinessDesk.

RNZ was forecasting total revenue in the current financial year of $38.5 million, against operating costs of $39.5 million – a figure that excludes non-recurring redundancy costs.

"We need to reduce costs by about $1 million," Mr Thompson said. "Salaries and wages account for 60% of our costs and therefore any move to lower costs requires a reduction in jobs, along with other cost-saving measures."

Radio would continue to get "the lion's share of resources" and the changes, which include disestablishing the role 'head of radio', were not intended to reduce "the crucial importance of radio to our RNZ output," said Mr Thompson, who has rebranded RadioNZ as RNZ as part of a wider strategy to expand its offering into online news and video while expecting no increase in its funding from central government.

"It [radio] remains vital and we have plans to continue to improve both RNZ National and RNZ Concert."

Mr Thompson is revamping the network's evening current affairs show, Checkpoint, which will be fronted by former TV3 presenter John Campbell, whom RNZ approached after his long-running Campbell Live show was axed earlier this year. Checkpoint staff are "exploring options for redeployment to vacancies in the newsroom," Thompson said. Two administrative roles in drama and features and another in business services are also subject to review.

Some seven roles are proposed for disestablishment in the broadcaster's radio group. Two new roles are proposed.

One of the largest areas of change has been in RNZ's music group, which will be staffed by 24.5 fulltime equivalent positions, compared with 33.5 originally

(BusinessDesk)