T
AGENDA ITEM 2.11

PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM FUND: ROLES
FUNDING DECISIONS

RECOMMENDATION
That the Staff Investment Committee approves funding of up to:
•  $240,000 to Three - Local Production for Newshub Te Rito Graduates – four roles for one year,

•  $120,000 to The National Pacific Radio Trust for PIJF Te Rito cadets – two roles for one year,

•  $240,000 to NZME for NZME Roles – four Te Rito graduate roles for one year,

•  $75,000 to Tikilounge Productions for a Coconet digital news producer – one role for one year,

•  $50,058 to The Pantograph Punch for a Social media design specialist – one role for one year,

•  $111,000 to The Spinoff for a Sub-editor role extension – one role for one year,

•  $58,520 to Kowhai Media for a Kaiwhakatika Hourua – one role for one year,

•  $163,840 to Ashburton Guardian for an Ashburton specialist dual round journalist – one role for two
years,

•  $185,924 to Radio Bay of Plenty for a Content creation role – one role for two years,

•  $64,074 to The Pantograph Punch for a Kaupapa Māori editor – one role for one year,

•  $58,355 to Valley Media for a Coromandel App reporter – one role for two years,

•  $165,246 to Schistrockmedia for The Outlet podcast – one role for two years,

•
under the Official Information Act
  $92,561 to The National Pacific Radio Trust for a Social media editor – one role for one year,

•  $158,093 to Radio Ngāti Porou for a Journalist – one role for two years,

and declines funding of:

Fourteen applications recommended for total funding of up to $1,782,671
Released


STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
CONFIDENTIAL | NZOA FILE REF: FUNDING MANAGEMENT / SIC / 2022-11-07 SIC MEETING | AGENDA ITEM 2.11

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 is 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. The General Guidelines were updated in March 2022.
3.
The PIJF supports journalistic capability across three funding pillars: Projects, Roles, and Industry
Development.

OVERVIEW
4.
Round 6 of the PIJF sought applications across all three pillars of the fund. NZ On Air earmarked $10m for
this round but given the large number of applications, increased the pūtea to $12m.
5.
There remains one final round of the PIJF which will open in January next year with circa $3m to left to
allocate
6.
We received 59 applications across all three pillars with a total funding request of $17,833,071.
7.
Building on funding already distributed in the previous four rounds, the Round 6 criteria focused on funding
that supports the sustainability, capability and capacity of public interest journalism in Aotearoa.
8.
Given the constrained pūtea, prior al ocations 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:
•  One Industry Development application
•  One Project application
•  Maximum of two Roles (across both Targeted and Content Creation role categories).
9.
To build on the success of the Te Rito Journalism Cadetship programme, a special roles category was created
for this round to al ow those wishing to apply for funding to employ up to four graduates from the 2022 Te
Rito programme over and above the two-role limit. These roles have a salary funding cap of $55,000 and an
additional $5,000 cap for overheads and were prioritised for Te Rito cadet scheme partners. 10 graduate
roles were applied for under these criteria.
10.  This SIC paper assesses Roles recommended funding of up to $1,782,671 from a total ask of $3,243,940.
11.  The assessment panel for Round 6 included:
•

under the Official Information Act

•

•

•  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.
Released
•  Gabriel Thomas - Journalism Manager, NZ On Air. Former executive producer of The Nation
and Firstline, producer Newshub Live at 6.
•  Dr Fairooz Samy - Journalism Funding Advisor, NZ On Air. Recently graduated from Victoria
University of Wellington with a PhD in Media Studies.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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12.  Conflicts of Interest are outlined as below:
•  Amie Mills –  Amie  is  the  Head  of  Funding  at  NZ  On  Air  and  is  a  Board  member  for  The
Pantograph Punch. She did not assess The Pantograph Punch application in this paper (or any
PIJF application in Round 6) and did not take part in the assessment discussion for this
application.

GENERAL ASSESSMENT & STAFF OPINION
Newshub Te Rito Graduates

Three – Local Production

$240,000
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
13.  Newshub is applying for funding to employ four Te Rito graduates under the special criteria for this round.
They would work reporting and producing across programmes in the Newshub newsroom.
General Assessment
14.  Newshub has been one of the newsroom partners for Te Rito in 2022, and says it’s keen to continue its
involvement, giving a further year of on-the-job training to four graduates.
15.  Newshub says it sees a number of talented options within the pool of Te Rito graduates, who would benefit
from more targeted training, as they move towards their preferred careers in journalism.
16.  The intention is for the four graduates to work

17.  Newshub says as an organisation it has benefited from having Te Rito graduates in the newsroom, bringing
fresh perspectives and a greater focus on diverse voices, and it is keen to bring those voices to every part of
its news coverage.
Staff Opinion
18.  Building on the success of Te Rito by funding these graduate positions is a top priority in this round.
19.  Newshub appears to have benefited from Te Rito as a newsroom and  taking on these graduates would
continue that, as well as benefiting the individuals involved, and no doubt the large Newshub audience. The
under the Official Information Act
industry as a whole will hopefully also benefit, with increased diversity in a major newsroom.
20.

21.  There are no specific content outputs in the proposal, and this should be addressed by including content
outcomes in the contract, as with other PIJF content roles.
22.  One assessor raised a question over the diversity of the four cadets who are selected. Given that the Te Rito
cohort itself were al  selected because they represent diverse groups and given Newshub’s stated intention to
increase diversity in its newsroom, it seems likely that this will happen.
23.  As one assessor said, this investment will help the cadets to flourish in a competitive industry. Funding is
Released
recommended up to $240,000  for four roles for one year,

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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PIJF Te Rito cadets

The National Pacific Radio Trust

$120,000
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
24.  Pacific Media Network (The National Pacific Radio Trust) is applying for funding to employ two  Te Rito
graduates under the special criteria for this round. They would add to the content being produced by the small
PMN newsroom.
General Assessment
25.  Pacific Media Network consists of 531pi Radio, which broadcasts in English and 10 Pacific languages, as well
as PMN News and youth radio station Niu FM. It is the only organisation offering this kind of broadcast. PMN
has aimed to ramp up its news service over the past couple of years and its small newsroom is reliant on PIJF
funding.
26.  PMN has been a Te Rito partner and is keen to continue making use of Te Rito graduates, to bolster the amount
of content it can create, and to  focus on social media content and content aimed at younger listeners.
Meanwhile its main aim is to reach a Pasifika audience which is underserved and, in some cases, does not
engage with mainstream media.
27.  The proposal highlights the problems of a lack of Pasifika journalists in the industry and a lack of Pasifika voices
or stories and says the funding of these two graduates would go some way to addressing those issues. PMN
says it will also contribute to its goals of being a pipeline for Pasifika talent, including in the area of leadership.
28.  There are no specific outputs outlined in the proposal but given the smal  newsroom we would expect the
graduates will have every opportunity to produce at a high rate and to work across several roles.
Staff Opinion
29.  The PIJF is very keen to fund Te Rito graduate roles in this round, and to continue funding the Pacific Media
Network, which appears to be making the most of the current funded news and current affairs roles. As one
assessor summed it up, this is “an important way of continuing the success of Te Rito, increasing the diversity
of the media workforce and supporting Pasifika journalism.”
30.  The addition of the graduates will also have  the  benefit of boosting PMN’s newsgathering and reporting
capacity, as it continues to serve its Pasifika audience in ways the mainstream media is not.
31.  The lack of specific outputs in the proposal should be addressed by including content outcomes in the contract,
as with other PIJF content roles. This will be a requirement prior to contracting.
under the Official Information Act
33.  Funding these roles wil  have a huge impact on the PMN newsroom and its output, as wel  as supporting the
two individuals as they begin their careers. Funding is recommended up to $120,000 for two roles for one
year,

Released

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NZME Roles

NZME

     Requested

Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
34.  NZME is applying for funding to employ four Te Rito graduates to work across different areas in its newsroom.
General Assessment
35.  As a partner in the Te Rito scheme, NZME says it has benefited from fresh perspective and whakaaro from the
cadets. It aims to build on this by retaining four graduates in its newsroom, to work across a range of areas.
36.  The proposal says the roles will boost Māori and Pasifika participation in the industry, and presumably in its
own newsroom, and accelerate cultural awareness within its own staff. NZME also says it is committed to
developing young Māori journalists, particularly through Te Rito. No doubt its Kaupapa Māori editor, also
funded by the PIJF, is also having an impact in this area.
37.  The proposal focuses on the Te Rito cadets’ particular skills in the areas of social journalism and community
engagement. It says the cadets have been inclined to see social media as a primary platform for any story and
they hope to build on this method. As research has shown, the proposal points out that many of the audiences
it is trying to reach – young people, Māori, and Pasifika – are more inclined to get their news from social media,
and it says the cadets know this well and capitalise on it.

NZME
has specific Māori and Pasifika content streams, which the Te Rito graduates will contribute to.
38.  The application states an output target of five published pieces per week per graduate. Given the focus on
social media, it would be good to have more detail on the outputs, for example minimum word count and that
they would be published on the primary platform, so that these pieces aren’t al  short and/or social-media-
only.
39.  The proposal is clear that all output will be public interest journalism as described by the PIJF guidelines. Over
the course of the Te Rito cadetship, we have been relaxed about Te Rito graduates covering stories that fall
outside that definition – for example sport stories and foreign news – as we thought it was important that
they had a broad journalism education. But NZME is right to expect a stricter view once the graduates are in
their own funded roles, and this point could be made to the other Te Rito graduate applicants.
Staff Opinion
under the Official Information Act
41.  There was unanimous support for funding al  the Te Rito graduate positions applied for. In this case one
assessor said, “I have no doubt the cadets would continue to benefit from ongoing full-time work in NZME
newsrooms and that the organisation would itself produce better news thanks to the input of the cadets.”
42.  Being a large organisation, NZME will hopefully offer a broad range of options to these graduates, but it has
also recognised the need for support for individuals who have come to journalism in a non-traditional way and
has been clear that support wil  be in place from the key personnel listed above.
43.  There are no specific content outputs in the proposal, and this should be addressed by including content
outcomes in the contract, as with other PIJF content roles. This will be a requirement prior to contracting.
Released

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45.  Funded roles at NZME will provide a great opportunity for Te Rito graduates who choose to continue their
learning and launch their careers there. Funding is recommended up to $240,000 for four roles for one year,
Digital News Producer

Tikilounge Productions

    $75,000
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
46.  The Digital News Producer for TheCoconet.TV is a one-year extension of the role initially funded in Round 3
for 12 months. Its outputs include 48 weekly ‘Pasifika News Wraps, 2 x weekly print and video stories for
TheCoconet.TV channels, and 4 x reversions into shorter pieces for the platform’s TikTok, Instagram, and
YouTube channels.
General Assessment
47.  To date, the role has produced 190 stories published across five platforms, including a new Coco News
TikTok channel.
48.  As the median age of Pasifika communities in Aotearoa is 23, Tikilounge has argued for the necessity of news
media formats that will effectively reach rangatahi, and possibly first-time news consumers.
49.  Tikilounge contends that, in addition to contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of Coconet’s
newsroom, the role has been successful in filling a gap for young Pasifika news consumers by creating
engaging and high-quality news content on the platforms where they consume media.
50.  The role has been instrumental in utilising TheCoconet.TV’s social media presence to distribute news stories
while also growing the engagement with the platforms.
52.  While the role has been successful, the proposal explains that more time is required to build on the
momentum that has been created.

53.  The role is currently held by

was
previously a PIJF-funded TheCoconet.TV cadet and the role has allowed
to utilise
skills in a way that
contributes directly to the Pasifika journalism sector and the Pasifika community.
under the Official Information Act
Staff Opinion
55.  Staff were unanimously in favour of this proposal, with one assessor saying, “This is a very detailed proposal
which makes a strong case for the continuation of funding for this role. Content outputs have been exceeded,
Coconet's news is doing wel  on social and digital channels, and Pasifika news is reaching a Pasifika audience.
This role is making a positive difference for the Pasifika news sector and Pasifika news consumers.”
56.  Staff has been impressed by TheCoconet.TV’s increasing focus on digital news production, particularly their
efforts in using social
Released  media to distribute news content to their rangatahi audience.
57.  Staff also felt it was important to provide Pasifika audiences with a plurality of news sources and that this
role would provide complimentary PIJ to the PMN Social Media Editor, which is also recommended for
funding in this round.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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58.  This role would continue the career progression and upskilling of a PIJF-funded cadet in the Pasifika
journalism space on a trusted platform reaching rangatahi. Funding is recommended up to $75,000

Social Media Design Specialist (role extension)
The Pantograph Punch

    $50,058
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
59.  This is a 12-month 0.5 FTE extension of the targeted Social Media Specialist role initially funded in Round 3
for three months.
General Assessment
60.  In Round 3 of the PIJF, the Pantograph Punch were successful in their application for a 3-month Social Media
Specialist role. Its main goals were:
•  Increase the platform’s audience by 25%
•  Demonstrate higher engagement with Māori, Pacific, and Asian audiences
61.  The role is stil  ongoing but has already achieved results.

62.  The current Social Media Design Specialist,
, has consulted with several design
and audience specialists of Māori, Pasifika, Asian, and Pākehā descent to inform Pantograph Punch’s
approach to digital design. They have included
,
, and
.
63.  The consequent learnings have been applied to projects centred around ethnic communities such as the ‘呼
吸//Breathe’ series in col aboration Migrant Zine Col ective founder Helen Yeung 希琳, which aimed to
capture the multi-faceted emotions behind survivorship for Asian migrant women and marginalised genders
in Aotearoa.
64.  If funded, the role would build on this momentum while also reaching these new goals:
65.
under the Official Information Act

Additional y, extending the contract would al ow the role to explore additional avenues such as membership
campaigns, audio content, and an improved website design for the Pantograph Punch. These would serve
the dual purposes of supporting the platform’s sustainability and enhancing the user experience for its
audience.
66.  The proposal included quotes of support from industry professionals and artists, such as
of
who wrote that, “This is what we need more of in terms of arts coverage in
Aotearoa—not just several unpaid theatre blogs, but platforms that care as much about audience
engagement and outreach as they do about their content”.
Staff Opinion
Released
67.  Staff was supportive of this application’s kaupapa. They felt that the funding request was reasonable, and
that the role would provide good value for money in terms of its effect on the sustainability of this proven
arts journalism outlet.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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68.  Staff noted that the role would also serve the Pantograph Punch’s audience by ensuring that content
reaches them more effectively, and for underserved s.36(c) audiences, in more culturally relevant ways.
69.  One external assessor wrote that “this is an extremely impressive and wel -developed proposal, and uniquely
among the proposals I have read, it focuses on the arts…. I also feel that this proposal is clearly targeted at
audiences the PIJ fund is intended to reach”. Funding is recommended up to $50,058

Sub-editor (role extension)

The Spinoff

$111,000
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
70.  The Spinoff is applying for a one-year extension to the Round 3-funded Sub-editor targeted role which ends
on 31 March 2023 and was initially funded for $105,450.
General Assessment
71.  Journalism is being produced at faster rates than ever before, but despite this, sub-editing capacity across
the sector has steadily decreased.
72.  The application argues that, in the upcoming election year, The Spinoff plans on producing a large volume of
public interest journalism with quick turnaround speeds. The Sub-editor currently provides dedicated fact-
checking, vetting, and risk assessment, and retaining the role is vital to ensuring that The Spinoff’s audience
continues to receive high-quality news.
73.  The original application had a stated average output of sub-editing 700 pieces per year. The new proposed
output increases that average to 850 pieces per year. In addition, the role’s responsibilities presently
include:
•  Oversight of all sub-editing and production and home page management (Fri-Tues)
•  Publishing content to The Spinoff platform and social channels
•  Fact-checking
•  Ensuring consistent image captioning and sub-headings.
74.  The application also states that the role has been significant for the development of The Spinoff’s junior
writers, providing oversight and help that has been missing from smaller newsrooms in recent years because
of resourcing constraints. The role currently holds development workshops for junior reporters.
under the Official Information Act
77.  The role will continue to be supported by The Spinoff’s senior staff, including the Editor, General Manager,
and the Deputy Editor (News).
Staff Opinion
78.  After consultation with the PIJF Industry Advisory Panel, staff recognises that the industry’s preference is to
Released
continue with funded roles that have had a positive impact on the creation of PIJ content.
79.  Staff felt the application could have done a better job of conveying the successes of the role

However, despite these
points, staff thought the overall impact of the role was made clear and that sub-editing is a worthwhile (if
difficult to quantify) use of PIJF funds. Funding is recommended up to $111,000

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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Kaiwhakatiki Horua (role extension)
Kowhai Media

$58,520
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
80.  This is a 12-month extension of the Kaiwhakatiki Hourua (Partnership Editor) targeted role for NZ Geographic
Magazine, on a half-time basis. The role was originally funded in Round 3 of the PIJF for one year.
General Assessment
81.  NZ Geographic’s Partnership Editor scheme was originally pitched for two years but was funded for one, on a
half-time basis.
82.
, the current Kaiwhakatiki Hourua, would stay on in the role.
83.  Low has built a network of relationships with others in similar roles as well as contributors from within Te Ao
Māori. To date, he has worked through, and offered editorial guidance and feedback on two-dozen stories,
commissioned several, and himself written two cover stories for the magazine. One was a cover story for the
Matariki issue that the magazine said was “an ideal window for middle New Zealand to understand and
appreciate the values and attitudes of Te Ao Māori, above and beyond a day off work”.
85.  Additional y, pieces such as the real ocation of land in the West Coast (enabled by a relationship with Ngāi
Tahu) demonstrated the incredibly complex, emotional, and time-consuming nature of executing stories
with the appropriate tikanga.

87.  The role extension includes the fol owing outputs:
•  Commissioning and steering of Māori and kaupapa Māori features, as well as general features
•  Finding and developing new Māori journalism talent as well as developing existing Māori
contributors
•

•

•  Advising on bilingual content for NZGeo.com
under the Official Information Act
•  Developing a network of cultural advisors outside of the organisation.
88.  The original role was funded for a total of $55,020. Staff noted a reasonable increase of $3500 on the
previous budget to cover admin/accounting/reporting.
89.  In addition to the relationship-building and development benefits,

As one of the first (and smal est) media platforms in the
scheme, they contend that their experience will provide learnings that can benefit other mid-sized
organisations.
Staff Opinion
Released
90.  Staff felt that this proposal was very strong, with one assessor writing, “The role has achieved success in its
first year but requires more time to build on the unique challenges of recruiting (and now, developing) Māori
talent and relationships with Māori communities, in addition to platforming their stories in the magazine.
This is a role which wil  sow the seeds for better, more representative journalism within the magazine sector”.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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91.  Staff thought that a good case had been made as to why further funding was required to build on the
momentum created and to cement the successes achieved thus far. Funding is recommended up to $58,520

Ashburton Specialist Dual Round Journalist
Ashburton Guardian

$163,840
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
92.  The Ashburton Guardian is applying for a specialist reporter who would cover two rounds which the applicant
feels are currently under-reported – rural news and court reporting. The application is for two years of funding.
General Assessment
93.  The Ashburton Guardian has been privately owned for 142 years. It produces a newspaper three times a
week, plus has a website and dedicated app. It employs seven full-time reporters, including an LDR reporter
and a rural news editor funded by PIJF.
94.  The rural news editor was funded in Round 2 of the PIJF. That role appears to have been highly successful
and is now producing a significant amount of in-depth content for the Rural Guardian, a monthly
supplement. This has meant the reporter has spent less time than intended on day-to-day rural news.
97.  The current proposal is for a reporter who would cover court, but also pick up the rural reporting that isn’t
being covered by the rural editor. As another way to address the long-term issue of a lack of court reporting,
this role would also be responsible for giving court reporting training to others in the newsroom.
98.  The applicant has already identified an experienced journalist who is interested in the role.
99.  There are no specific content targets in the proposal. These wil  need to be formulated and provided prior to
contracting. In terms of the type of content to be produced, the proposal mentions covering not only court
stories, but wider issues around justice and the legal system, like the aims of the Open Justice scheme PIJF
funds for NZME.  under the Official Information Act
Staff Opinion
101.  The combination of reporting areas combined in this role seem unusual, but
has made the case for
both areas being of great importance to the audience and the publication. Most importantly,   has
identified a candidate who has the experience, the knowledge of the rounds, and an interest in the role.

102.  Assessors could see the need for more reporting in both these subject areas and strengthening any local
Released
outlets to provide public interest journalism to its community is a priority for PIJF.
103.  Assessors also praised the applicant for giving thought to the sustainability of the role

104.  The success of the rural editor role in terms of content and impact on the organisation’s sustainability was
also noted.

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105.  The budget is reasonable, asking for funding for salary, laptop and phone

106.  Assessors were unanimous in their support for this role, saying it will address gaps that have been well
identified and could make a major difference to a quality public interest journalism provider. Funding is
recommended up to $163,840 for one role for two years,

Content Creation Role

Radio Bay of Plenty

$185,924
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
107.  Radio Bay of Plenty (1XX) is applying for funding for a reporter to join their small team, so they can increase
the area they cover, and the scope of their local news. The application is for two years of funding.
General Assessment
108.  1XX says it’s the largest independent radio newsroom in the country. It may wel  be the only one and it
currently employs only two reporters.
109.  1XX has received PIJF funding for one project, running stories about Provincial Growth Fund projects
throughout the region.

110.  The proposed reporter would be based in Whakatane but would focus on the central and eastern Bay of
Plenty, which are currently not well covered due to lack of resources. The proposal notes the populations in
those areas are at least 50% Māori and acknowledges the need to serve that audience. 1XX has a dedicated
kaumatua who provides reo and tikanga advice.
111.  The reporter would provide 25 radio stories per week, plus rewrites, and will also upload the stories to the
website and Facebook.
112.  The applicant has identified a prospect for the role but says they would advertise the role to ensure they get
the best candidate.
113.  The proposal is accompanied by letters of support from the mayors of Whakatane and Kawerau. Both say
they’re pleased to support this application, and
adds that, “1XX does a great
job and is recognised as a training ground for reporters”.
under the Official Information Act
Staff Opinion
114.  1XX is committed to local news, a PIJF priority, and is currently producing a lot with only two reporters. This
role would allow them to cover a wider range of stories from throughout their large geographic area. As one
assessor said, “this proposal ensures coverage of isolated communities and strengthens the local media
ecosystem”.
115.  Given the difficulties some local outlets have had attracting staff, it’s good that the applicant is already
thinking about this and has identified one option.
116.  It was also noted by assessors that the role could increase the news offering for an underserved rural Māori
Released
audience, and that there is clearly a strong commitment from this team to do that, and to work with Māori.
117.  The budget for this application is reasonable.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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118.  This additional reporting role could make a big difference to a small provider of local public interest
journalism, and to its audience. Funding is recommended up to $185,924, for one role for two years,

Editor – Kaupapa Māori

The Pantograph Punch

    $64,074
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
119.  The Editor – Kaupapa Māori position is a 0.8 FTE targeted role that wil  enhance the quality of The
Pantograph Punch’s public interest journalism as it relates to Nga Toi Māori and Māori-interest publishing.
General Assessment
120.  The Pantograph Punch is a leading platform for news and writing pertaining to the Arts.
122.  The application states that Māori are critical y underrepresented in arts journalism, despite the huge
importance of art to Māori culture and kaupapa, and the widespread interest in art within Māori
communities.
123.  Steps have been taken to address this imbalance at an industry level, with the application referencing
Creative NZ’s Māori Arts Strategy 2019-2024 and the NZFC’s Māori Film Strategy 2018-2021. However, the
Pantograph Punch argues that increased visibility and engagement with Māori art creates a need for
specialised Māori voices in the arts journalism sector so that the impact of Māori art and artists on the
shaping of contemporary Māori identities can be properly acknowledged.
124.  It is intended that the Editor – Kaupapa Māori will embed Kaupapa Māori structurally across the organisation
while also providing oversight for any content which deals with Māori art/artists.
125.  Not only wil  the role strengthen the relationship between Māori interests and journalism, it will also help
the Pantograph Punch to better fulfil its commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
126.  The position has four main outcomes:
•  Deepen Pantograph’s commitment to championing Ngā Toi Māori, ensuring at least 30% of all
publishing comes from Māori voices or has a strong Māori focus.
•  To publish at least four pieces on Ngā Toi Māori per year.
•  Discoverability: to deepen engagement with Māori who are more likely to use digital media
than traditional media compared to overall New Zealanders.
•  To support increased te reo use in articles by and about Māori creatives.
under the Official Information Act
127.  The Pantograph Punch already has two candidates in mind for the role. One is
a former staff writer for the publication, and

128.  The Editor – Kaupapa Māori role has previously existed at the organisation but only at a 0.2 FTE level, which
proved much too limited to fulfil the scope of the position.

129.

It would also al ow
Released
Pantograph Punch to demonstrate the full potential of the role which increases their chances of securing
future funding for the Editor from other sources.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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130.  The application included supportive quotes from one staff writer and two Pantograph Punch Māori readers
who spoke to the importance of a Te Ao Māori perspective in arts journalism, with one writing, “I appreciate
the diversity in voices and choose to read Pantograph because I know I wil  find someone similar to myself
being represented”.
131.

Staff Opinion
132.  Assessors were unanimously in favour of this application, with one writing that the role would, “benefit arts
journalism, the Pantograph Punch itself, and it has measurable outcomes to perform against. The proposal is
detailed and demonstrates the organisation’s genuine enthusiasm for the role and its potential.”
133.  Staff felt confident that the Pantograph Punch, having already identified potential candidates, will be able to
fill the role.
134.  Staff also thought the budget was reasonable and

Funding is recommended up to $64,074

Val ey Media Coromandel App Reporter  Valley Media

   $58,355
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
135.  Valley Media is applying for funding for a part-time reporter to work on its new Coromandel App, covering
the Hauraki-Thames Valley and the Coromandel Peninsula region.
General Assessment
136.  The Valley Profile is a locally owned and operated free newspaper. It is delivered to

in the Hauraki-Thames Valley area. It also offers a news website and is supported with social
media channels. It was a finalist in the Community Newspaper of the Year category at the 2022 Voyager
Awards and editor
was a finalist in the Editorial Leader of the Year category.
137.  The Valley Profile currently employs a full-time editor and two full-time reporters, including a PIJF-funded
reporter, who is producing great local content.

138.  The Valley Profile now wants to increase its geographic spread to include the Coromandel Peninsula, reach
out to a younger audience,

This has led to the development of the Coromandel App. The
Coromandel App will include content from the Valley Profile, but in order to also cover the Coromandel
under the Official Information Act
Peninsula area, funding is sought for an additional reporter.
139.  It is proposed that the reporter, who will work 20 hours per week, will produce four stories of between 450
and 800 words per fortnight. They will also take photos to accompany the stories where appropriate and
occasionally produce short videos for the app and social media channels.
140.  The stories will all appear on the Coromandel App, and where they are from the Thames Valley area, may
also appear in the Valley Profile newspaper, website, and social media channels. All platforms are freely
available.
141.  The applicant has an experienced journalist who has contributed to the Val ey Profile previously identified
for this role.

Released

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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Staff Opinion
142.  There was unanimous support from assessors for funding this role. One said the proposal, “proudly goes in
to bat for ‘hyper-local community news’. It demonstrates a good track record and a possible financially
sustainable path forward for this position and the media outlet. It identifies a problem and has a named
person as the solution.”
143.  The Valley Profile has proven it is committed to quality local news. The outlet is wel -run by a group of
experienced journalists, and its current funded reporter produces high quality PIJ content.
144.  The intended topics for the Coromandel App are broad but given that it is bringing hyper local news to a
small audience, staff is comfortable with things like profile pieces and sports coverage being produced,
which we wouldn’t consider eligible at-risk or missing PIJ from a better-resourced national provider.
145.  This budget and salary are reasonable, especially considering it is only a half-time role. Laptop, phone and
camera are also included.

146.  This expansion is a good example of digital innovation, and one the PIJF would like to support. Funding is
recommended up to $58,355 for one role for two years,

The Outlet Podcast

Schistrockmedia

$165,246
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
147.  Schistrockmedia is applying for funding for a presenter/producer to produce four local news podcasts per
week – one each for Wanaka, Queenstown, Central Otago and Southland. The application is for two years of
funding.
General Assessment
148.  The Wanaka App, Queenstown App, Central App and Southland App currently produce local news for their
areas, which is available on the apps and websites. Their combined reach for the past 12 months was

149.  The four apps have come together to make this application, and the podcast presenter/producer would
create a podcast for each of the four apps every week. The podcast would be available via the apps and
websites and would be promoted on social media. This is a lot of output for one person, but if the podcasts
under the Official Information Act
are heavily reliant on unedited interviews, as proposed, it seems realistic.
150.  Each podcast would include interviews, news and local community information for example about events.
The expectation is that the interviews would produce new angles that could be used by reporters working at
each of the four apps.
151.  The Central App currently employs a funded local democracy reporter (not LDR), who has been providing
high quality local content.
152.

153.
Released
  The proposal highlights a gap in local news, which is radio/audio. There are local newspapers, and
increasingly websites and apps, but very few local radio stations have their own journalists.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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Staff Opinion
154.  Assessors were impressed with the col aboration between neighbouring local outlets, and the focus on the
sustainability of the role.
155.  The four apps/websites produce a good mix of lighter content alongside more serious local news. Assessors
felt the addition of the podcast should beef up their news offerings, increasing and improving their output
for their local audiences.
156.  Some previous PIJF applications for podcasts have been turned down because they don’t have additional
platforms (other than podcast platforms like Spotify) to promote them and deliver an audience. This
proposal shows a clear support structure from the four apps, and an established audience.
157.
the budget is
reasonable, and staff was not concerned by those costs. There is a platform contribution of

158.  These outlets are already producing quality hyper-local content for their audiences, and the addition of this
podcast should bring even more local news and information to those audiences. Funding is recommended
up to $165,246 for one role for two years,

Social Media Editor

The National Pacific Radio Trust

    $92,561
Key personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
159.  The Social Media Editor targeted role wil  turn written news pieces into video content that is suitable for
sharing across all Pacific Media Network (PMN) social platforms channels, including TikTok and Instagram.
General Assessment
160.  PMN, one of the largest Pasifika news providers in Aotearoa, is looking to strengthen its digital news offering
via a dedicated Social Media Editor.
161.  Pacific audiences are large consumers of news on social media platforms and the proposal cites the NZ On
Air ‘Where the Audiences Are’ 2020 report as supplementary proof.
162.  PMN states that it has built a reputation for quality journalism by speaking to Pasifika communities from a
Pasifika perspective and has been able to build a consistent audience base, which deserves news content
that meets them where they are.
163.  PMN claims that misinformation has become a problem amongst Pasifika communities and that it has
become necessary to counter the issue by distributing fact-checked, cultural y relevant news, via the same
under the Official Information Act
social media channels that such misinformation spreads.
164.  The application argues that the role’s output will also create two-way engagement with PMN’s existing
audience and help to attract additional news consumers.
Staff Opinion
167.
Released
  Staff felt that this application made a good case that social media news delivery will enable PMN to better
serve important Pasifika audiences, which is a goal of the PIJF.

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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168.  Staff also noted that the role will “strengthen PMN’s ability to maximise already-funded content” by
amplifying content created by other PIJF roles within the newsroom thus enhancing the quality and reach of
PIJF news. Further to this, staff felt that the role would have the additional benefit of helping PMN’s long-
term sustainability, which would strengthen the Pasifika journalism sector as a whole.
169.  Staff believes it is important to provide Pasifika audiences with a plurality of news sources and that this role
would provide complimentary PIJ to the Tikilounge Digital News Producer, which is also recommended for
funding in this round. Funding is recommended up to $92,561

Journalist

Radio Ngāti Porou

$158,093
Key Personnel
Title/s
Relevant Past Work

Synopsis
170.  Radio Ngāti Porou is applying for funding for a Te Rito graduate to work as a reporter for two years.
General Assessment
171.  Radio Ngāti Porou is based in Ruatoria and broadcasts to an area with a population of almost 44,000 people,
about 20,000 of whom are Māori. It sees its priorities as promoting te reo Māori and providing up-to-date
essential information for its community.
172.  The radio station is a mix of music and talk, focused on local issues. Radio Ngāti Porou describes itself as a
key source, and sometimes the only source, of local information for its iwi community, and sees this
information as important public interest journalism for a niche audience. The organisation also appears to be
involved in many local projects like encouraging te reo classes and it is currently running a series of ‘meet the
candidate hui’ ahead of the local elections.
173.  Ngāti Porou Charitable Trust has been broadcasting since 1987 and now also has a website and social media
channels. The radio service receives Te Māngai Pāho  funding, but this role would be incremental to this
funding.
174.  The radio station runs a two-hour daily news and current affairs programme (to be renamed Nga Kopara
from 2023), with a focus on issues that affect the people of Ngāti Porou. Over recent years the focus on
using social media to reach the audience has increased.

175.  As part of its move to strengthen the online side of its output, Radio Ngāti Porou applied for and was
approved funding for two roles in the last round of the PIJF, whose focus will be on repurposing radio
content from the news and current affairs programme for the website and social media channels.
176.  The current application is for Te Rito
to work as a reporter across Radio Ngāti
under the Official Information Act
Porou’s radio and online platforms.
177.  While Te Rito graduates were specifically mentioned in the PIJF Round 6 criteria, this was essentially to
clarify that Te Rito partners would be given priority in funding for the graduates, and that the cap of only two
roles applications would not apply to funding for Te Rito graduates. Neither of these requirements apply to
Radio Ngāti Porou and therefore this is a regular content-creation role application. Subsequently, it does not
have to adhere to the one-year time limit for funding, or the budget cap.
178.  The proposal gives clear detailed content outputs – every week a minimum of three articles for the website,
a minimum of 3 x 2’ news bulletins for radio, a minimum of five interviews for radio, and a minimum of two
audio/visual interviews for social media.
Released

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
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Staff Opinion
179.  Assessors unanimously supported funding this role, seeing the benefits for the audience, the continued
professional development of a Te Rito graduate, and the increased capability of Radio Ngāti Porou.
180.  One assessor said, “Ngāti Porou Radio Station is a trusted voice for its people of Te Tairawhiti. The people of
Ngāti Porou love their local news and NPR play a pivotal role in delivering the latest iwi, hapū and Tairawhiti
region updates. The investment into iwi radio is healthy for journalism, often opening opportunities for young
Māori into larger Māori media networks.”
181.  Funding roles for Te Rito graduates is a top priority in this round of the PIJF. Ngāti Porou was not a Te Rito
partner but as there are enough graduates to go around, it’s great to see one of them move into paid
positions elsewhere, particularly in the regions. Having a candidate already identified for the role is also a
plus.
184.  There was one concern raised about the budget for this role which was the inclusion of

While staff is recommending funding up to the requested amount, we plan to discuss this
with the applicant in the hope of revisiting this cost and revising the budget to remove or reduce this fee in
line with eligible PIJF overheads. The rest of the budget is reasonable, with a salary in line with what we had
recommended for Te Rito graduates.

185.  There will be huge benefits from this role for the individual graduate, for Radio Ngāti Porou, and for local
audiences. Funding is recommended up to $158,093 for one role for two years,

under the Official Information Act
Released

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
CONFIDENTIAL | NZOA FILE REF: FUNDING MANAGEMENT / SIC / 2022-11-07 SIC MEETING | AGENDA ITEM 2.11

ANNEX A: PIJF ROLES APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN THIS ROUND

Company
Application Name
$ Requested  $ Recomm  Result
Newshub Te Rito
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Three - Local Production
graduates
240,000
240,000  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
The National Pacific Radio Trust  PIJF Te Rito cadets
120,000
120,000  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
NZME
NZME roles
242,600
240,000  approval
Coconet Digital News
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Tikilounge Productions
Producer
75,000
75,000  approval
Social Media Design
Approved – Panel recommends funding
The Pantograph Punch
Specialist
50,058
50,058  approval
Sub-editor role
Approved – Panel recommends funding
The Spinoff
extension
111,000
111,000  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Kowhai Media
Kaiwhakatika Hourua 2
58,520
58,520  approval
Ashburton Specialist
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Ashburton Guardian
Dual Round Journalist
163,840
163,840  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Radio Bay Of Plenty
Content creation role
185,924
185,924  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
The Pantograph Punch
Editor - Kaupapa Māori
64,074
64,074  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Val ey Media
Val ey Media
58,355
58,355  approval
Approved – Panel recommends funding
Schistrockmedia
The Outlet podcast
165,246
165,246  approval
PIJF R6 Social Media
Approved – Panel recommends funding
The National Pacific Radio Trust  Editor
92,561
92,561  approval
Journalist
Radio Ngāti Porou
Approved – Panel recommends funding

158,093
158,093  approval

under the Official Information Act

Released

STAFF INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEETING | 07 NOVEMBER 2022 |
CONFIDENTIAL | NZOA FILE REF: FUNDING MANAGEMENT / SIC / 2022-11-07 SIC MEETING | AGENDA ITEM 2.11

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