RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson announces early departure from organisation

RNZ CEO Paul Thompson is to leave the organisation on Monday, six weeks early, after controversy over a financial blowout at the public broadcaster.

Thompson, RNZ’s CEO for 13 years and a former president of the global Public Media Alliance, was due to leave on December 31.

In a statement this morning, Thompson said he felt it was best for himself, his family and RNZ to leave.

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Thompson made a bombshell announcement on Monday that RNZ was facing a shock $12 million loss and will axe 58 jobs — around one in six staff.

It has seen questions raised about whether his position was tenable and protests planned by staff unions.

The broadcaster’s chief financial officer Hilary Parker resigned unexpectedly in October.

The $11.8 million loss is more than 25 times the $470,000 RNZ had expected to lose over the year to June.

RNZ has commissioned an independent review of how it got its finances wrong.

RNZ chairman Brent Impey — who was appointed to the board of directors in 2024 and became chair in July — said Thompson had responded to a difficult situation “with courage and integrity”.

“As I said on Tuesday, I have considerable empathy for him as a chief executive who was provided with inaccurate financial information. He has responded to a difficult situation with courage and integrity.

“We wish him all the best.”

Earlier this week Thompson was questioned by RNZ Checkpoint’s Lisa Owen if he should quit early but pushed back saying, the government had reduced RNZ’s funding.

“We thought we were addressing that. We weren’t.”

In a statement to staff today, Thompson said it had been a privilege to lead RNZ.

“The last few weeks have, of course, been difficult. As chief executive and editor-in-chief I take responsibility for the financial issues we are dealing with. It is a sad note to end on. I will contribute to the independent review to help ensure RNZ robustly examines what went wrong and identifies improvements.”

He said he was proud of work to modernise the organisation, “including leading on trust, diversifying and growing audiences and content, improving journalism and connecting with more New Zealanders than ever before”.

He said public media played a vital role and urged staff to keep up “the great and important work”.

Current head of news Mark Stevens will take over as acting CEO from Tuesday.