The Future of New Zealand's Media: Embracing Change in the Digital Age

With the digital age in full swing, New Zealand's Ministry for Culture and Heritage has introduced a series of bold legislative proposals to rejuvenate our national media and screen industry. These changes are not just timely—they're crucial for fostering innovation and keeping pace with global media dynamics.

Why the Overhaul? Paul Goldsmith, Minister for Media and Communications, points out that our current laws have lagged behind the rapid evolution of media consumption. Streaming giants like Netflix and Disney+ have reshaped the viewing habits of millions, siphoning audiences from traditional TV and shrinking advertising dollars critical for local content creation.

Boosting Local Content Through New Proposals: Key among the new measures is the requirement for streaming services to reinvest a portion of their revenue from New Zealand viewers into local content. This policy aims to ensure that these platforms contribute positively to the local creative economy from which they profit.

Additionally, the proposals advocate for better accessibility of local media on digital devices. Future regulations may mandate that devices like smart TVs come pre-loaded with local streaming apps, prominently displayed to give New Zealand stories the spotlight they deserve.

Enhancing Accessibility and Streamlining Governance: The government also seeks to make media content more accessible to all Kiwis, proposing mandatory captioning and audio descriptions across platforms. Another major shift could see the consolidation of various regulatory bodies into one streamlined authority, overseeing all media forms to maintain standards and manage compliance more effectively.

Towards a Unified Funding Framework Merging the New Zealand Film Commission with NZ On Air is perhaps the most ambitious proposal. This would create a single, more powerful entity tasked with funding diverse media forms, from film and television to digital and emerging media. This approach aims to align funding with contemporary viewing habits and technological advancements.

Industry Feedback and Public Involvement The response from the media sector has been overwhelmingly positive, with stakeholders recognizing the potential for these changes to create a fairer playing field. The ministry is now calling for feedback to refine these proposals, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of content creators, consumers, and the industry at large.

These proposed legislative changes mark a pivotal moment for New Zealand's media and screen industry. By updating our laws to reflect current realities and future possibilities, we can better support local creators and ensure our stories continue to resonate both at home and abroad.