Canon apologises after staff member’s on-stage, off-colour Liam Payne quip at youth film festival; TVNZ overhauls executive team; AT under fire over abandoned 18-month advertising tender; British doco on missing Marokopa kids; Aussies get even tougher on social media giants; ‘Human error’ – contract for Whakaata Māori CEO’s private studio
Updated
Media Insider: Sponsor’s off-colour Liam Payne joke at NZ Youth Film Festival; Auckland Transport outdoor advertising fallout; UK firm plans documentary on missing Marokopa kids
The children of Tom Phillips, from left: Jayda, Maverick and Ember. Composite photo / NZME
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It was a technical and organisational shambles, highlighted towards the end when unshakeable hosts Shervonne Grierson and Dennis Zhang had to play an impromptu paper-scissors-rock game at the podium because organisers weren’t ready for the final award to be presented.
One of the night’s biggest talking points came when a representative from a key sponsor, Canon, was welcomed to the stage to present the best cinematography prize.
“Those cliff-divers are insane,” said the Canon staff member, referring to a video that had just screened to the 248-strong audience, capturing spectacular images of an Australian cliff-diving competition which Canon also supports.
“They jump from over 20 metres,” she said, before adding, “... and Liam Payne fell from over 13.”
The off-colour comment about the former One Direction star who fell to his death in an Argentina hotel in October was met with several howls and subsequent derision.
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As she persevered with her speech, the Canon staff member seemed to sense the mood in Te Papa’s Soundings theatre: “Oh, guys, come on, get over it.”
The Canon representative told the Herald in an email: “I unreservedly apologise for my comments on Friday evening. It was a significant error of judgment on my part, and I am deeply sorry for any offence that my comments may have caused.”
Canon NZ country manager Stephanie Kempt also apologised “unreservedly for any inappropriate comments made by our representative”.
“We are conducting an internal review and will take any necessary action. We deeply regret any offence caused, and would like to apologise for this once again.”
The constant technical problems and the sponsor’s comment led to refunds for those who paid $50-$60 a ticket for the event and an apology from festival organiser Ryan Chow: “I am truly, profoundly sorry”.
But he and the festival are also facing a social media barrage.
One industry participant wrote on Instagram: “The New Zealand Youth Film Festival was a s*** show”.
“Congratulations to all those who won awards, your work deserves celebration. But you also deserve a lot more. #NZYFF tried to capitalise off our young filmmakers while giving them less than the bare minimum in effort.”
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Another described it as an “absolute joke” and the “the bottom of the barrel”.
The technical issues, Chow said, were not apparent during rehearsals “which is why it was all the more disappointing and shocking to our own team as well as to myself”.
He was still investigating how it all went so badly wrong.
“I do take full responsibility for this regardless, as it has happened under my watch.”
Disclaimer: The NZ Herald was a sponsor of the NZ Youth Film Awards.
TVNZ’s Breakfast, executive changes
Jenny-May Clarkson and Chris Chang will present Breakfast in 2025, with Daniel Faitaua continuing as a back-up presenter, TVNZ has confirmed.
It follows the departure of Anna Burns-Francis, who confirmed last week she had opted to leave, and not apply for either of the two remaining fulltime presenting roles on the morning show.
“Daniel’s role remains on Seven Sharp – he came across to Breakfast as we knew that Anna Burns-Francis would be taking time off to have her first child,” a TVNZ spokeswoman said yesterday.
“His role on Seven Sharp remains and, yes, I am sure we will be seeing him appear on Breakfast as well.”
Meanwhile, a top TVNZ executive has elected not to apply for any new roles in its new news and content structure and is still deciding whether she will throw her hat in the ring for a new, supercharged executive role.
TVNZ chief content officer Nevak Rogers has elected not to apply for any of the new general manager roles in the newly combined news and content structure.
Fellow executive Phil O’Sullivan has, however, been appointed to the newly created executive editor – news role.
Both Rogers and O’Sullivan will be eligible to apply for the new, supercharged, combined chief news and content officer role when that executive position is advertised in the new year.
However, there has been recent speculation that Rogers – who many observers earlier considered the leading contender for the new role – may opt to leave the business.
“I have put your question to Nevak and she has said she has not made a decision and will consider whether she puts herself forward for the role when recruitment is under way,” said a TVNZ spokeswoman.
TVNZ announced last week that chief operating officer Brent McAnulty would fill the chief news and content officer role in an acting capacity from February until a permanent appointment was made. After that, McAnulty will leave the business.
It essentially means that within the next six months, the TVNZ executive team of seven will have lost two, possibly three, of its existing key people.
TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell said acting chief financial officer Liz O’Neil would extend her time on the executive team. “When CFO Tracey Richardson returns from parental leave in February 2025, Liz will move into the COO role in an acting capacity to allow this role to be recruited for as well.”
Meanwhile, today is D-day at TVNZ, with many staff set to learn their fate at the state broadcaster.
Morale is said to be at an all-time low in the newsroom, with news that at least three top Auckland reporters are believed to be leaving the organisation.
The company earlier confirmed plans to reduce the number of Auckland reporters from eight to six, but it is believed a couple have missed out on more senior roles that they applied for.
A spokeswoman said: “In regards to Auckland reporters, we have disestablished some roles in our newsroom, but we have also created others which we are now recruiting for internally, this includes reporting and producing roles. Our position remains that out of respect for TVNZers’ privacy, we are not commenting on individuals or their roles.”
‘Clusterf***’: AT fallout - fury and frustration
The outdoor advertising industry is reeling from this week’s decision by Auckland Transport to cancel an 18-month tender process to find new partners to look after advertising on its billboards, bus shelters, buses, trains, and ferries and at its train stations and other transport hubs.
In total, there were five contracts on offer for the next 10 years, at a likely total value of more than $350 million.
AT described it as the biggest media procurement in New Zealand history.
Until it wasn’t.
AT pulled the pin this week – setting aside 18 months of gruelling work, not least of all from the outdoor companies bidding for a slice of the pie.
Almost as bad, in my opinion, is AT’s public relations. It is declining to explain to its owners – us, the public – why the process has been abandoned.
Media manager Blake Crayton-Brown claimed this information was “confidential”.
The no-detail policy was repeated by AT head of corporate communications Joanna Glasswell yesterday: “Appreciate your patience and thank you for the offer of an interview. At this time we are unable to provide further comment and we politely decline.”
Given AT was still confident as late as November 21 that new contracts were on schedule, it appears the Government’s recent announcement to legislate to bring AT’s planning, strategy and policy functions back under the control of Auckland Council might be a contributing factor.
It is understood AT has been telling industry participants the cancellation is based on market feedback, concerns about any transition and consistency of service delivery in the timeframe left available.
None of the outdoor companies are willing to speak so far on the record about AT’s decision, for fear it will jeopardise commercial opportunities. That tells you something.
“It’s been a clusterf***,” one source told Media Insider. “They’ve had no idea what they’ve been doing. They had no idea of the scope of the project. And that is very evident in the fact that we are now going back to an RFP [request for proposal] again with new parameters after 18 months.
“That’s where we’re at. It’s not even that we’re at the beginning. We are further back than the beginning.”
Two other sources had one simple word for it all this week: “Shambles”.
Media Insider understands AT was ready to award the contracts, with one particular company – MediaWorks – widely speculated in the industry to be in the box seat for many of the contracts.
However, AT never confirmed that and another well-placed source threw cold water on the MediaWorks suggestion last week.
The Out of Home Advertising Association of Aotearoa has made some careful comments on behalf of its members.
Chief executive Natasha O’Connor said industry members had been focused for 18 months on their AT submissions.
“It is a very, very important contract for everybody. And they have dedicated their time and their resources.
“I have watched my members put everything into their submissions, into these contracts, really focused on growing their businesses and making sure they’re putting their best foot forward.
“I have seen them struggle with the timeframes being extended out and the impact that that has had on their business. And the lack ... from AT of critical communication in a timely manner.”
Independent chair Paul Maher said: “It’s a huge effort over a long, long period of time. It’s been an incredibly long, challenging process for everyone involved.
“This result just keeps that challenge going and like any business, it’s hard to plan and execute your business plan with the biggest account up in the air. Super challenging.”
Despite the AT move, the outdoor industry has been a bright spot in an otherwise extremely challenging year for New Zealand media.
“The industry is – given the state of the media market generally – in a fantastic position, with growth and some great creative products,” said Maher. “The out-of-home industry is performing exceptionally well. Total business was up 15-17% in November – it’s looking incredibly strong.”
UK doco on missing Marokopa kids
A British production firm is developing a feature-length documentary on one of New Zealand’s modern-day enduring mysteries – the whereabouts of Tom Phillips and his three children.
Rare TV is in funding development with Discovery for a documentary series on the missing Marokopa four, a case that has captured global headlines.
It has been three years since Phillips took his children Jayda, now 11, Maverick, 9, and Ember, 8, into the bush for a second time.
Police have failed to track them and sightings have been incredibly rare – they were last seen together when hunters chanced upon them north of Awamarino in early October.
Rare TV, which has been chasing down New Zealand contacts for its documentary, declined to comment.
A Warner Bros Discovery spokeswoman said WBD locally was not involved, and was following up Media Insider questions with Discovery internationally.
Australia’s bold social media move
You’ve got to hand it to the Aussies – they know how to stand up to the social media firms, and won’t be cowed by threats.
As New Zealand’s own Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill is becalmed – its future looking uncertain – the Australians have taken yet another step forward in ensuring a more even playing field between social media companies and news media firms.
The Australian government yesterday announced new legislation that will see fines of potentially hundreds of millions of dollars if the likes of Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook don’t negotiate in good faith and help fund the journalism that contributes to their mega profits.
Facebook had been threatening to simply walk away from providing news on its platform – as it has done in Canada – so that it wouldn’t have to pay media companies for their work.
The Australian government yesterday announced updated legislation that would compel the social media giants back to the negotiating table.
“The government wants Australians to continue to have access to quality news content on digital platforms,” said Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones. “Digital platforms receive huge financial benefits from Australia, and they have a social and economic responsibility to contribute to Australians’ access to quality journalism.
“This approach strengthens the existing code by addressing loopholes that could see platforms circumvent their responsibility to pay.”
As The Australian reported: “Under Labor’s proposal, tech companies with Australian revenue of at least $250 million will be required to negotiate commercial deals with news media outlets whose content they use on their digital platforms. If they refuse to negotiate, they will face fines that far outweigh the likely cost of any commercial deals they might strike with news companies.”
‘Stand firm’: Canadian message to NZ govt
A Canadian news industry leader is urging the New Zealand government to “stand firm”, and introduce a regulatory framework that Kiwi publishers and Google can live with, in the wake of news the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill has been placed on the backburner.
“Social media platforms are akin to a single pipe where news – the clean drinking water – is comingled with misinformation and disinformation – the sewage,” says News Media Canada president and chief executive Paul Deegan.
“Meta [Facebook] opted not to pay and no longer carry news in Canada, which degrades their platform for advertisers and users alike. Google, to their credit, adopted a more socially responsible approach and agreed to pay news businesses C$100 million annually – indexed to inflation.”
In a column supplied to New Zealand publishers, Deegan says well-researched, fact-checked journalism is more critical than ever in an age of misinformation and deepfakes.
“Like most democracies, New Zealand is grappling with how to ensure that journalism remains commercially viable and fiercely independent. Your Commonwealth cousin Canada may offer an example of a possible path forward.
“Like all publishers around the world, Canadian publishers have been challenged for more than a decade. In 2012, Canadian newspaper advertising revenue stood at C$3.55 billion. Today, it is less than C$1b.”
Canada, he said, followed the example of Australia by introducing its own Online News Act. While Meta had withdrawn from news, “Google, to their credit, adopted a more socially responsible approach and agreed to pay news businesses C$100m annually – indexed to inflation”.
“While New Zealand’s Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill, which is similar enough to the Australian and Canadian legislation, now appears stalled, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith would be well advised to stand firm and push forward with a regulatory framework that is fair, balanced and predictable – something that both Google and publishers can live with.”
Canada has also introduced a refundable labour tax credit for newsroom employment. “The 35% credit – up to a maximum salary of C$85,000 – has made a meaningful difference to newsrooms. Of all possible public subsidies for journalism, we believe this is the most effective in that it rewards newsroom investment.”
In Canada’s largest province, Ontario, officials had announced 25% of government and crown corporation advertising spending to news publishers.
And Canada’s anti-competitive watchdog was also seeking orders to require Google to sell two of its advertising technology tools and prohibit it “from continuing to engage in anticompetitive conduct and practices”.
“While there is no one silver bullet to solve the economic crisis in journalism, there are public policy policies and enforcement actions that can help stem the tide and provide a practical framework for a more sustainable future,” says Deegan.
“Publishers – and democracies for that matter – should stand together, rather than allowing themselves to be divided and conquered by dominant Big Tech behemoths.”
‘Human error’: Contract for private studio event ‘did not reach’ CEO
Whakaata Māori (Māori Television) chief executive Shane Taurima’s use of the company’s studio facilities for a family event in August has taken a new turn, with the company now saying a written hire agreement for the private use of the facility “did not reach” him.
The unsigned hire agreement, dated August 7, was among a tranche of documents released to Media Insider under the Official Information Act and was used by the company as primary evidence that Taurima had always planned to pay personally for the use of the Hawaikirangi facility for the private event, attended by 45 people, on Sunday, August 25.
The event has been a discussion point among some staff within Whakaata Māori, amid earlier questions about who paid for the use of the facility. Whakaata Māori is funded by taxpayers.
The company has reiterated that no public funds were used and that Taurima paid for the event himself, as he had always intended.
Media Insider followed up with Whakaata Māori this week, asking for a copy of the signed hire agreement. Last month the company said in a statement that the hire agreement “clearly specifies these costs as private expenses” and was in place four weeks before Media Insider’s initial inquiries.
Now it says a signed copy of the document does not exist.
“For clarity, an oral agreement was made between Whakaata Māori and the chief executive regarding the use of the Hawaikirangi conference facility,” said senior adviser Tayla Bakmeedeniya.
“A written agreement was prepared to formalise this arrangement, but due to human error, the written agreement did not reach the chief executive as intended.
“We stand by our previous statements that the cost of the private whānau event was always intended to be privately funded, and this was fully honoured. To suggest anything else is offensive and defamatory and we reserve all rights.”
The latest comments follow Media Insider’s Official Information Act request at 11.58am on September 12 for all internal documentation in relation to the event, including the invoice/s for the event, the dates they were charged, the dates they were paid, and how they were paid.
Among the documents released to Media Insider was the unsigned hire agreement between director of technology, operations and strategy Andrew McNaughton and Taurima, dated August 7, for the booking at a total cost of $1679.
In an email at 1.28pm on September 12 – less than two hours after the Official Information Act request – McNaughton asked for an invoice for the studio booking to be raised with Taurima.
It was among a list of unrelated requests titled “catching up on my inbox”.
“Aroamai, I am trying to clean things up before I head away on leave on Saturday for a week. Things have been crazy and I am a bit behind due to the King’s tangi, powhiri and manu korero happening.”
Regarding the studio booking invoice, he wrote: “Just wrapping this, there were no additional cleaning charges for this event other than the regular monthly charge. Can you now please raise an invoice to Shane T (CEO) for his event held in Hawaikirangi on the 25th of August? This will be $1460 ex GST for partial venue hire, tables, chairs, table settings, cleaning and other associated AV equipment”.
When asked about the timing of the invoice being raised with Taurima, a spokeswoman earlier told Media Insider: “We repeat, all costs for Mr Taurima’s private whānau event, attended by 20 adults and 25 children, were covered privately, with no use of public funds at any point.
“The hire agreement, dated 7 August 2024 and included in the information provided to you on 10 October 2024, clearly specifies these costs as private expenses.
“As this agreement was in place four weeks prior to your first inquiry, the timing of the invoice, paid in full, is of no consequence. To suggest otherwise is misleading and does not represent the agreement entered into for the event, and the use of the facility. It would also be defamatory on which we reserve all rights.”
In its latest response, the company states that it has responded to all matters raised by Media Insider “and provided all information within the scope of your requests”.
“This process has required a significant investment of time and resources. As such, Whakaata Māori considers this matter closed.”
In a subsequent email, following further Media Insider questions, Whakaata Māori provided more details of the unsigned contract, including Word document data showing it had been created on August 7.
“A written agreement was prepared but, due to an oversight during a particularly busy period, it was not sent to the CE as intended. This was a human error and not in line with our usual process,” said Bakmeedeniya.
One Good Text
This week we catch up with Claudia Macdonald, who has made the call to leave as executive director of Mango Communications after 29 years at the business.
Macdonald has been a well-known PR figure for decades, including as a board member of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand (Prinz) from 2019 to 2023. In 2021, she was awarded a lifetime Prinz membership.
Editor-at-large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including managing editor, NZ Herald editor and Herald on Sunday editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.
