TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell has reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for a streaming levy on major international platforms to support New Zealand’s local content sector, despite the proposal being removed from the political agenda ahead of the country’s general election in November.

The levy, initially introduced through a Labour member’s bill, aimed to impose a financial obligation on large streaming services to contribute to the funding of domestic content production. However, the bill was later withdrawn following opposition from the National Party, which criticized it as an unnecessary new tax. Media Minister Paul Goldsmith stated that while the government continues to explore various support mechanisms for local content, introducing a new tax on streaming services was not an option they would pursue.

O’Donnell emphasized the importance of establishing sustainable revenue streams for New Zealand’s content creators, noting that if local productions remain hard to find on increasingly complex television operating systems, they risk being marginalized. She suggested improvements such as adding dedicated buttons for local streaming platforms like TVNZ+ on smart TV remotes to enhance accessibility and visibility of domestic content.

Commenting alongside O’Donnell, Stuff Group owner Sinead Boucher labeled major AI and tech companies as exploitative entities profiting from local content without sharing compensation, describing their actions as a form of cultural theft. Boucher called on governments to intervene against what she sees as a threat to New Zealand’s creative industries, democracy, and social fabric. O’Donnell agreed that these companies could improve their corporate responsibility but praised the government’s recent steps to regulate social media use among teenagers, specifically the proposed ban on platforms for under-16s promoted by the National Party.

O’Donnell warned that New Zealand’s local publishing and content industries face significant risks if regulatory and funding measures are not implemented soon. She stressed the urgency of action, advocating for “progress over perfection” to prevent the erosion of New Zealand voices, stories, and cultural representation.

While Australia recently enacted legislation requiring tech giants to pay media companies for news content shared on their platforms, New Zealand’s own efforts—such as the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill—were shelved in 2024. O’Donnell expressed openness to any initiatives aimed at leveling the competitive landscape for local media but clarified that the industry is not seeking handouts.

Financially, TVNZ reported a statutory profit of NZD 16.3 million for the past year, bolstered by a NZD 34.9 million net positive non-cash impairment adjustment. Without this accounting adjustment, the broadcaster would have faced a loss of NZD 18.6 million, a decline from an adjusted NZD 10.8 million profit in the prior year.