AGENDA ITEM 2.15
PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM: INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT
FUNDING DECISIONS
RECOMMENDATION
That the Staff Investment Committee approves up to:
•
$516,000 to Al ied Press for an Industry Development Fund Cadet Scheme
•
$35,300 to Indo Kiwi United Trust for Training for existing journalists
•
$68,200 to North & South for Trainee/cadet journalist
3 applications recommended for total funding of up to $619,500.
BACKGROUND
1.
In January 2021 Cabinet agreed to draw down $55 million over three years (2021 - 2023) from the tagged
contingency set aside by Cabinet for broadcasting initiatives. This funding will be administered by NZ On Air to
support the production of public interest journalism including Māori and Iwi journalism that is relevant to and
valued by New Zealanders.
2.
General Guidelines for the PIJF  were published in April 2021. The principles set out in the Cabinet paper have
informed the design of the Public Interest Journalism Fund (PIJF). NZ On Air collaborated with Te Māngai Pāho
on the design and delivery of the fund.
3.
The General Guidelines were updated in March 2022
4.
The PIJF supports journalistic capability across three funding pillars: Projects, Roles and Industry Development.
OVERVIEW
5.
The fourth round of the PIJF sought applications across all three pillars of the fund. NZ On Air earmarked $5m
for this funding round and received 39 applications with a total funding request of $11,292,212.
under the Official Information Act
6.
Building on funding already distributed in the previous three rounds, the Round 4 criteria focused on funding
that supports the sustainability, capability and capacity of public interest journalism in Aotearoa. Applicants
were advised that given the number of roles funded in Round 2 and feedback from industry around shortages
in the journalism workforce, Round 4 would prioritise Industry Development and projects that deliver to long
term outcomes or support current sector shortfalls and underserved audiences.
7.
Given  the  constrained  pūtea,  prior  allocations  and  expected  demand,  media  entities  were  able  to  make
separate applications under each of the three pillars but the total number of proposals per applicant were
limited to:
Released
• 1 Industry Development application
• 1 Project application
• Maximum of 2 Roles (across both Targeted and Content Creation role categories)
8.
This SIC paper assesses Industry Development Funding with recommended funding of up to $619,500 from a
total ask of $888,800.
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9.
The assessment panel for Round 4 included:
a.

b.

c.

d.  Raewyn Rasch (Ngāi Tahu) - NZ On Air Head of Journalism. Former General Manager Māori and
Pacific programmes at TVNZ, executive producer of Seven Sharp, producer of Fair Go and Marae
Investigates, TV and radio journalist.
e.  Gabriel Thomas, Journalism Manager, NZ On Air. Former executive producer of The Nation and
Firstline, producer Newshub Live at 6.
f.  Dr Fairooz Samy, Journalism Funding Advisor, NZ On Air. Recently graduated from Victoria University
of Wellington with a PhD in Media Studies.

  GENERAL ASSESSMENT & STAFF OPINION
Industry Development Fund Cadet Scheme
Allied Press
Requested $714,600
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
10.  A one-year cadet scheme to train, mentor and support up to eight new journalists in all areas of multi-platform
journalism, addressing skills and recruitment gaps that are acute in regional and local news organisations.
General Assessment
11.  Al ied Press is the leading independent news provider in the South Island. It has been publishing its flagship
publication, the Otago Daily Times (ODT), since 1861 making it New Zealand’s oldest daily newspaper. It
partners with 29 other titles across the South Island.
12.  The Industry Development Fund Cadet Scheme is a one-year training scheme to train up to eight new journalists
in all areas of multiplatform journalism with a particular emphasis on the skills needed to support regional and
local news organisations serving the South Island’s diverse communities.
under the Official Information Act
13.  The proposal suggests five cadets will be recruited as trainee employees of Allied Press. Cadets will train and
work in a mix of environments including a teaching newsroom, the ODT in Ōtepoti Dunedin and regional
newsrooms, at Channel39, and over a series of placements at Al ied Press and partner newsrooms around the
South Island, including Star Media Group in Christchurch, the Greymouth Star (West Coast), Mountain Scene
(Queenstown) and Southland Express (Invercargil ).
14.  The proposal suggests that three of the eight positions will be offered to cadets nominated by South Island
regional, independent and community media organisations to become trainee employees of their sponsoring
organisation. These candidates will be offered a mix of remote and in-person training, while working for their
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home communities.
15.  The scheme seeks to attract cadets with lived experience that might not otherwise enter journalism through
polytechnic or university training. Cadets wil  be employed on fixed term contracts and paid the cadet rate on
the E Tū Col ective Contract scale of $55,200 per annum.
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16.  The scheme will be delivered by an experienced journalism educator and will align with the National Diploma
in Journalism (Multimedia) Level 5 and Certificate in Journalism (Level 3-4).
17.  The scheme will be governed by an advisory group including representatives from Allied Press, South Island
media partners, tangata whenua and a community appointee. Its role and functions wil  be developed in
discussion with partners. Allied Press’ new PIJF-funded Partnership Editor will contribute to the scheme’s
development to ensure principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi guide its work.
18.  Training will involve more than half the cadets’ time working in a newsroom supported by the trainer along
with classroom sessions with trainers and specialist guests in a fully equipped satellite newsroom at the Allied
Press building in Ōtepoti Dunedin.
19.  Training material will be made available to partner newsrooms, recognising many smaller newsrooms struggle
to secure the necessary resources to upskill untrained staff.
20.  The application’s budget outlines the costs associated with the ful  eight cadet programme or a programme
limited to the five cadets proposed for the Otago Daily Times.
Number of cadets
PIJF request
In-kind contribution  Total cost
8
$714,600
$100,975
$815,575
5
$516,000
$71,125
$587,125
Staff Opinion
21.  The need for journalists in the South Island and regional New Zealand and the difficulty in recruiting them has
been highlighted by several media to the PIJF and staff recognises this as a specific gap in the journalism sector.
As an example, one PIJF funded role based in Invercargill has not been filled due to an inability to recruit a
suitable journalist.
22.  The success of the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme for diverse voice journalists funded in Round 1
shows that PIJF funding can support critical journalism training at a time when it is not available anywhere
else. Just as Te Rito was established to meet a specific demand not met by the journalism education sector
more broadly, the need for South Island and local journalists who are part of Southern communities can be
equally argued. Staff believes that the PIJF is in a unique position to be able to provide a critical short-term
funding mechanism until a more sustainable workplace training is in place – ideally via the Toi Mai Workforce
Development Council initiatives.
23.  Staff notes that the PIJF Industry Advisory Panel (

Staff does not think that this application should be paused or held up while that mahi is underway for two
under the Official Information Act
reasons: 1) that nationwide scheme may not eventuate, and 2) this scheme is hyper-localised and ready to go

24.  Reducing the proposal to five Ōtepoti Dunedin based cadets would also reduce the amount of travel the trainer
would be required to do and staff suggests the $15,000 travel budget could be significantly reduced on this
basis.
25.  Given the trainer will need to develop this programme and run it, the calibre and experience of this staff
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member will be key to the programme’s success. Based on the critical nature of this role, Staff will work with
Allied Press to ensure a suitably qualified trainer is engaged at the beginning of the project.
26.  Funding to cover education sector partners, programmes,  and targeted training, especially around te reo
Māori and Te Tiriti seems reasonable given the wide variety of skills required of journalists.
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27.  The applicant goes to some length to stress the inclusive nature of the programme and its commitment to new
journalists who will meet the needs of diverse communities, with emphasis on tangata whenua, women,
youth, children, people with disabilities and minority communities. Staff will recommend to Allied Press that
at least two Māori or diverse voice cadets should be included to ensure this commitment is delivered on.
28.  The proposal does not include what wil  happen to the cadets at the end of the scheme. As there will be no
qualification associated with this course, experience gained appears to be the only take away cadets will have.
Staff will suggest to Allied Press that a formalised evaluation against the skills taught should be developed.
29.  This proposal steps beyond workplace training with the development of a ‘teaching newsroom’ and dedicated
trainer. Staff believes the applicant has the scale and experience to provide cadets with a suitable training
environment and support especially from its Ōtepoti Dunedin newsroom. Funding is recommended up to
$516,000

Training for existing staff

Indo Kiwi United Trust
   Requested $37,800
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
30.  A professional development programme for three journalists, one graphic designer, and one content assistant
for NZ Punjabi News.
General Assessment
31.  The NZ Punjabi News is run by the not-for-profit organisation Indo Kiwi United Trust and is an online media
Punjabi language outlet published across a website, Facebook, Instagram, and an app. It is a member of the
NZ Media Council.
32.  According to the 2018 Census, New Zealand has an Indian population of 239,193 making up 32.3% of the
Auckland population. Sikhism was founded in the Punjab region, and it is estimated 40,000 Sikhs are based in
New Zealand with the predominate language being Punjabi.
33.  The applicant has provided a detailed programme of nine training sessions using external training
organisations along with quotes and estimates from these external trainers.
34.  Training organisations include, Greg Ward Media Training, NZ Writers College, IJ Films,

,
Massey University, and Media Training NZ Ltd.
under the Official Information Act
Staff Opinion
35.  This application was submitted a day after a Ministry of Ethnic Communities led hui with ethnic media and NZ
On Air to encourage more engagement with the PIJF. It was lacking in detail and so staff requested a more
thorough explanation of the training being proposed and an accurate indication of costs.
36.  It should be noted that English is not a first language for this applicant and while the application was sparse,
staff expects the application deadline coming only 24 hours after the Ministry of Ethnic Communities hui
would have left the applicant with little time to prepare.
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37.  They subsequently provided a ful y costed training plan and reduced their budget from $37,800 to $35,300.
38.  NZ On Air and the PIJF have committed to supporting the ethnic media sector and staff believes training
offers an important element which will both support media organisations and lift the quality of journalism
being delivered to underserved audiences.
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39.  This kind of professional development for journalists is not provided currently by any educational institution
and the applicant has done a good job to pul  together relevant experts that wil  support its staff and lead to
improved PIJ outcomes.
40.  The applicant has also applied for Non-Incremental Role funding in this round, which will be assessed in a
separate process by an independent external assessor. Funding is recommended up to $35,300

Act
Trainee/cadet journalist

North & South

   Requested

Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
41.  To recruit, mentor and train a cadet journalist interested in a career as a long-form journalism practitioner.
General Assessment
42.  North & South is looking to continue the career progression of a cadet journalist, by providing a two-year
employment and training contract to a cadet from The Next Page programme funded by the PIJF to train
journalists in long-form magazine writing.
43.  The Next Page is a Current Affairs and Culture Magazine mentorship programme pairing three cadets with
mentors across four publications including North & South and administered by The Spinoff. It started in
February 2022 and will run until August 2022.
44.  The cadet would be mentored by highly skil ed Editor,
and Deputy Editor,
will
be exposed to a ful  immersion experience across al  aspects of the North & South publication.
45.  North & South is a long established and respected current affairs magazine but says it would benefit from a
new, young diverse voice at its table and does not have the resources to self-fund this opportunity.
46.  It currently has a staff of seven fulltime employees of which four are editorial staff, including a two-year PIJ-
funded South Island correspondent,
plus a contracted sub-editor and a proof-reader.
47.  The budget includes an annual base salary of $60,000 and a contribution in kind by the applicant of $5,230
across the two years.
under the Official Informatio
Staff Opinion
48.  Assessors were unanimously supportive of this application and applauded the opportunity for a future
pathway to  be  developed from  an  existing PIJF  training  programme.  North & South is a highly reputable
publisher with experienced staff who can be expected to provide a unique and supportive experience to a
cadet.
49.  Staff believes the specialist nature of the mentorship on offer across all aspects of magazine publishing and
the calibre of the mentors does provide training that could not be found elsewhere and warrants this
application being assessed as Industry Development rather than under the Roles pil ar.
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50.  Experienced journalist, Donna Chisholm, who leads The Next Page programme enthusiastically endorses the
application saying, “This would represent an unrivalled opportunity for a young journalist to be trained and
grounded in the best the profession has to offer.”
51.  However, staff is concerned at the term of the cadetship given no other PIJF training programme has gone
beyond 12 months and this cadet wil  have already had seven months’ training via The Next Page. As there are
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no confirmed training elements to the cadetship beyond the mentoring,

52.  As there will be no qualification associated with this course, experience gained appears to be the only take
away cadets will have. Staff will suggest to North & South that a formalised evaluation against the skills taught
should be developed.
53.  Staff recommends  the  term of the contract be limited to 12 months in line with other PIJF training
programmes. Funding is recommended up to $68,200


Act
under the Official Informatio
Released
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