Working to prevent ‘gut-wrenching' loss
A Trio of grassroots organisations have teamed up to save a North Dunedin community hub from being swept from under their feet.
The Valley Baptist Community Centre and its two neighbouring properties in North Rd and Calder Ave have been put up for sale by tender which closes on May 28.
Baptist Churches of New Zealand stopped using the premises when its North Dunedin congregation dissolved in August 2021 and had no further plans for the space.
However, it let the Valley Baptist Community Trust, which had separated from the church, continue to hire it to more than 60 community groups until earlier this year when it was put up for sale.
Trust member James Sutherland felt it was not given enough time to plan a purchase of the property and had to make a last-minute effort to come up with funds.
It was working with the The Valley Project and Valley Community Workspace to raise as much as possible to make a competitive offer on the property without taking on a hefty bank loan.
The community organisations presently had about $250,000.
Mr Sutherland said it was "gut-wrenching" to potentially lose the space.
He said it would be a huge loss for North Dunedin.
"You would hope to think that there would be good faith.
"It was donated for community use in about 1883 and it remained that way for over 150 years until now."
It was hard for the Baptist Church, which was based in Auckland, to understand the space was a part of the community's fabric.
Users of the space included a community-run early childhood education centre, dance and karate lessons and a playgroup for small children.
"The hall is literally booked out every single night by dance groups or karate because of the wooden floors.
"We had our community dinner here recently and 150 people showed up," Mr Sutherland said.
Baptist Churches communications director Mike Crudge said it had a long history with the trust and it had been a good tenant.
He said over the past few years the church and the trust had a number of transparent conversations about the future of the property and the possibility of its sale.
The sale was decided on by the Otago and Southland Baptist Association, which is comprised of 13 member Baptist churches in the regions, in October 2024.
Those who wished to help the trust's effort could donate, give a loan as a social enterprise investment, or "buy a brick" to help with future renovations in the building.
The trust was open to hearing other ideas from the community to help save the centre as well.
mark.john@odt.co.nz
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NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Heat on RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson and board after scathing review – who can they lure? Air NZ safety video up in the (AI) air; Stuff journalists eye strike action
Less than 24 hours later, he was releasing a scathing independent review of RNZ National, in which former news boss Richard Sutherland delivered a withering assessment of the public broadcaster's radio efforts and performance. As Media Insider revealed yesterday, Sutherland's review is a blistering attack on the culture at RNZ, where everyone - from junior producers to executives - appears to have turned their backs on the importance and potential of radio. There was a lot of 'blame shifting' and low ambition". And in perhaps the most stinging finding: 'Some people shouldn't be on air'. Thompson's entire legacy as chief executive and Jim Mather's as chairman of RNZ now rest on the next six to 12 months – and their response to the review and its recommendations. On first blush, and based solely on RNZ's somewhat defensive, initial public response yesterday, Thompson and his executive team might well struggle to overcome a long-term downward trend in radio listeners. 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It shows a lack of understanding of how the performance of RNZ as a whole is measured by the board, external competitors and other commentators, politicians from across the spectrum and most importantly of all for a public media entity, the public itself. 'Stamping out this belief will require significant involvement from the board, the chief executive and the executive team.' CEO's future Thompson has been with RNZ for more than 10 years. He has done a credible job in building an executive team with successful media backgrounds, particularly in publishing. Chief news officer Mark Stevens, a former Stuff editor in chief, is a digital news genius who has built a formidable newsroom - including many senior journalists he's poached from Stuff - and website audience. RNZ currently has nine executives. Photo / RNZ But Stevens does not have any radio experience. 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Photos / RNZ And in response to another recommendation from Sutherland that the office must be reinstated as the default working environment for all presenters and production staff, RNZ stated this was already the case. Staff, it said, 'must be in the office for at least three days a week'. Audience targets Sutherland recommends, as well, a blunt audience target – 50 to 69-year-olds. That's a somewhat risky proposition, say radio industry experts - by targeting that age group, you'll inevitably attract a strong cohort of even older people. They're still vitally important, but RNZ might actually have more success if it targeted the 40-59 age group, said one source. There's a rich vein of potential audience there and it would raise the stakes, considerably, in the ratings battle against runaway commercial leader Newstalk ZB. RNZ will know where its latest ratings are at next Thursday, with the public release of the data likely a few days later. 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The Great NZ Road Trip starts this Sunday - I'll be making my way from Otago and Southland to Northland over the next two weeks. Know a great character, business, project or story? I'd love to hear about it. Please email me at roadtrip@ Digital news sunrise in Fiji One of the Pacific Islands' best-known mastheads, the Fiji Sun, has undergone an editorial and digital transformation. It has unveiled a new-look website - and undertaken a digital-first newsroom transformation - as part of a project involving two Australasian agencies: Daylight in New Zealand and Bastion Digital in Australia. The new-look Fiji Sun website. According to a statement, 'Bastion Digital led the business transformation and editorial strategy, guiding the Fiji Sun through modern newsroom practices and delivering intensive training... 'Daylight... led the development of the new publishing platform, one that puts powerful storytelling, audience experience, and modern monetisation tools at the core.' 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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. Watch Media Insider – The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Heat on RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson and board after scathing review – who can they lure? Air NZ safety video up in the (AI) air; Stuff journalists set to strike
Less than 24 hours later, he was releasing a scathing independent review of RNZ National, in which former news boss Richard Sutherland delivered a withering assessment of the public broadcaster's radio efforts and performance. As Media Insider revealed yesterday, Sutherland's review is a blistering attack on the culture at RNZ, where everyone - from junior producers to executives - appears to have turned their backs on the importance and potential of radio. There was a lot of 'blame shifting' and low ambition". And in perhaps the most stinging finding: 'Some people shouldn't be on air'. Thompson's entire legacy as chief executive and Jim Mather's as chairman of RNZ now rest on the next six to 12 months – and their response to the review and its recommendations. On first blush, and based solely on RNZ's somewhat defensive, initial public response yesterday, Thompson and his executive team might well struggle to overcome a long-term downward trend in radio listeners. Essentially, the official RNZ responses came down to – my words and analysis – 'We're already doing that'; 'We don't agree'; or 'That's something for the new (yet-to-be-appointed) chief audio officer'. One hopes that behind those PR statements, there's a lot more urgency and laser-like focus on the changes required. Based on Sutherland's findings, RNZ National essentially needs a culture change and on-air overhaul. Certainly, the comments Thompson reportedly made to staff yesterday - RNZ released the report to the NZ Herald under the Official Information Act and briefed staff around the same time - were more pointed: 'We now need to take a different approach.' 'Nothing is out of bounds' In commissioning Sutherland, Thompson requested a 'frank' report. 'Nothing is out of bounds in terms of what you consider and recommend,' Thompson wrote to Sutherland on May 31, according to documents released to the Herald under the Official Information Act yesterday. 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No notes of the interviews were taken 'by design, to encourage candour', and yet there were some common themes, reported in direct quotes in his review: 'It's someone else's fault, my programme is fine.' 'We're trying to appeal to everyone and end up appealing to no one.' 'The station sounds boring.' 'If you focus on something (ie, digital) you're turning your back on something else.' That last point is particularly pointed. In its successful and creditworthy pursuit of digital growth – and we're talking here specifically about the RNZ website (more so than digital audio) – one can mount an easy argument that RNZ has let its radio listenership slide. Sutherland says the most worrying theme in his review 'was the view that RNZ regards live listening as a sunset activity, rather than a growth opportunity'. 'Disturbingly, this belief was held by staff at every level of RNZ, from junior producers through to executives. It shows a lack of understanding of how the performance of RNZ as a whole is measured by the board, external competitors and other commentators, politicians from across the spectrum and most importantly of all for a public media entity, the public itself. 'Stamping out this belief will require significant involvement from the board, the chief executive and the executive team.' CEO's future Thompson has been with RNZ for more than 10 years. He has done a credible job in building an executive team with successful media backgrounds, particularly in publishing. Chief news officer Mark Stevens, a former Stuff editor in chief, is a digital news genius who has built a formidable newsroom - including many senior journalists he's poached from Stuff - and website audience. RNZ currently has nine executives. Photo / RNZ But Stevens does not have any radio experience. In fact, there is relatively little audio experience at the top table and anyone vying for the newly created chief audio officer role - one of Sutherland's key recommendations that is already under way - will want assurances that they have Thompson, the executive team and the board fully behind them. RNZ chairman Jim Mather (left) and chief executive Paul Thompson at Parliament's social services and community select committee. On the board itself, respected former commercial radio boss Brent Impey, who was appointed as a director last September, will be a critical figure in helping support the chief audio officer in leading a refreshed radio and digital audio strategy. Consider the task before that executive. Sutherland's major recommendations, such as the need for new talent and a review of on-air voices, have all been handed to that person, according to RNZ's responses yesterday. Sutherland said time slots should be refreshed where presenters don't align with the needs and preferences of the target audience. RNZ's response to this was: 'This will be an operational decision for the chief audio officer with appropriate processes followed.' RNZ wouldn't commit to even a marquee hire, as Sutherland recommended. 'This will be an operational decision for the chief audio officer. Changes should be made according to the needs of our audience,' said RNZ. RNZ also batted away a firm recommendation from Sutherland that the flagship Morning Report programme should be fully relocated from Wellington to Auckland, to better connect with, and build, audiences. RNZ's careful response: 'Morning Report will have a more Auckland-focused team and include more Auckland-based kaimahi (staff). However, there is still a need for resource outside of Auckland, including, importantly, for resilience." Morning Report hosts Corin Dann and Ingrid Hipkiss. Photos / RNZ And in response to another recommendation from Sutherland that the office must be reinstated as the default working environment for all presenters and production staff, RNZ stated this was already the case. Staff, it said, 'must be in the office for at least three days a week'. Audience targets Sutherland recommends, as well, a blunt audience target – 50 to 69-year-olds. That's a somewhat risky proposition, say radio industry experts - by targeting that age group, you'll inevitably attract a strong cohort of even older people. They're still vitally important, but RNZ might actually have more success if it targeted the 40-59 age group, said one source. There's a rich vein of potential audience there and it would raise the stakes, considerably, in the ratings battle against runaway commercial leader Newstalk ZB. RNZ will know where its latest ratings are at next Thursday, with the public release of the data likely a few days later. These ratings won't take into account recent tweaks to RNZ National's line-up, but they will reveal whether RNZ's downward ratings trend has been halted. Sutherland is very stark in his report. 'From 2021 to 2025, the station lost [cumulative audience] at an annual rate of more than six per cent. At this rate, by 2030, the cume will have dropped below 340,000.' Who can save RNZ's ratings? Given some of our top broadcasters are likely tied up in long-term contracts – for example, Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking, Heather du Plessis-Allan and Ryan Bridge – RNZ has a mammoth job in luring a marquee talent, as Sutherland has recommended. Q&A host and Newstalk ZB host Jack Tame. Photo / Jason Oxenham TVNZ's Q+A host Jack Tame should be at or near the top of a hit list, in my opinion. He has consistently proven to be the best current affairs interviewer on television. Similarly, however, his contract term with Newstalk ZB, where he hosts Saturday Mornings, may be too lengthy to allow RNZ to poach him any time soon. And ZB will possibly now try to lock him in for even longer. Journalist Paddy Gower. Photo / Dean Purcell. RNZ would possibly have more hope in luring Paddy Gower – he filled in on Morning Report with Alexa Cook for two weeks last summer, and he's also filled in for Kathryn Ryan on Nine to Noon. He'd be expensive, but he'd draw a new audience. Former Newshubers Rebecca Wright and Tova O'Brien are two other top broadcasters, with journalistic skills to boot. They could well be strong candidates, although O'Brien might still be feeling burnt by the sudden closure in 2023 of Today FM, where she was breakfast host and had little time to make any inroads. Former Newshub and Today FM broadcaster Tova O'Brien. Internally at RNZ, Nights host Emile Donovan is a rising star. But is it too early to move him into a primetime spot? Same goes for Cook. Alternatively, could Kim Hill be lured back to the microphone? RNZ could really shake things up by luring Duncan Garner. It won't happen, but it really would show that RNZ was up for change. One Good Poll Air NZ safety video up in the (AI) air Air New Zealand's latest safety video is still up in the air, with the airline and its creative agency still working on a concept - while also considering an artificial intelligence (AI) element. Air New Zealand revealed its 23rd safety video last year, this one starring Steven Adams. Photo / Supplied It appears there have been delays, with sources saying they had expected the video to be in production by now. Creative discussions over the safety video are understood to be continuing. Creative agency Bastion Shine was decidedly hush-hush yesterday. Asked specifically about AI considerations, Bastion Shine's Luke Farmer said: 'There's no comment on that. I can't say anything on this at all.' Asked if the video was still planned for production this year, he said: 'No comment on that. It's all under wraps – so no comment.' Production industry sources say the airline and creative agency have been considering AI elements, with some experienced production industry staff fearing their jobs are at risk. For many years, Auckland-based Reel Factory has helped produce the videos; executive producer Dan Watkins would also not comment yesterday. Air NZ said in a statement that it hadn't yet confirmed which local production company would come on board for the latest video. It is understood the airline expects the video to be produced later this year, at around the same cost as previous projects. 'As with many of our previous safety videos, creative development, production, and the shoot will take place right here in Aotearoa with local suppliers, showcasing the incredible local talent we have on our doorstep,' said Air New Zealand global brand general manager Grace Blewitt. 'We're excited to have the Bastion Shine team on board to develop the creative concept. Right now, we're in the creative ideation phase, exploring a range of approaches and possibilities. 'The heart of our safety videos remains the same – they are proudly human-led, from ideation to execution, with our world-class cabin crew and talented supporting cast front and centre. 'Through our partnership with OpenAI, we're looking at the potential to use Sora (OpenAI's text-to-video model) in this project to explore new and innovative ways of working. 'That could mean creating different versions of the video tailored to specific audiences or aircraft, or introducing efficiencies to areas where we've previously used technology such as digital edits and CGI.' It is understood that Air NZ sees AI giving it some process improvements in areas such as post-production and digital effects. Stuff journos vote on strike action Stuff journalists are voting on whether they should take strike action over a stand-off in their collective contract negotiations. Media Insider understands the results of a ballot are due later today and that, so far, the vote is overwhelmingly in favour of a strike if matters are not resolved. More than 140 Stuff journalists are represented by the E tū union. One source outlined what they believed was a 'hardline' attempt by the company to split the collective contract into separate agreements (Masthead Publishing and Stuff Digital). Stuff Digital operates and Masthead Publishing looks after the company's digital subscription websites and newspapers. The source said Stuff's 'very aggressive industrial relations approach' was about 'weakening the hand' of journalists and contrasted with owner and chief executive Sinead Boucher's earlier comments. Stuff owner and chief executive Sinead Boucher. Photos/ Dean Purcell, supplied 'It is effectively entirely at odds with the assurances that were provided by Sinead Boucher at the time of the structural separation at the beginning of this year.' Staff were basically told at that time, said the source, 'look, don't worry, nothing's going to change'. A Stuff spokesperson said in a statement: 'There are a range of claims on the table in our negotiations with E tū. In keeping with our good faith and confidentiality commitments, we will not be commenting further.' Emails obtained by Media Insider in early July revealed that Stuff's unionised journalists were perturbed by the company's position on several fronts. They described 'highlights and lowlights' following a bargaining meeting with the company at the time, saying the company was 'holding a pay offer hostage' and 'Stuff wants to axe our health insurance'. 'As you know, we've asked for an overall pay increase of 6.5%, including a reform of the pay scale to be more aligned with how RNZ calculates things,' said one email sent by a Stuff journalist delegate, and co-signed alongside 10 others, to union members. 'It aims the largest % increases at our intermediate journalists. We want them to see journalism and Stuff as a viable career path.' The Great NZ Road Trip is here again! I'm on the road again – from coast to hinterland – in our latest editorial series to gauge the mood of the nation and celebrate the very best of New Zealand. As we head into spring, it's time to reset and uncover some of New Zealand's best stories on the third annual Great New Zealand Road Trip. This year, with the support of sponsor Night 'n Day, we will be meeting notable and everyday Kiwis helping make a difference in their towns, regions, country, and the world. Or there might be a strong story in the plight of your town and community. The Great NZ Road Trip starts this Sunday - I'll be making my way from Otago and Southland to Northland over the next two weeks. Know a great character, business, project or story? I'd love to hear about it. Please email me at roadtrip@ Digital news sunrise in Fiji One of the Pacific Islands' best-known mastheads, the Fiji Sun, has undergone an editorial and digital transformation. It has unveiled a new-look website - and undertaken a digital-first newsroom transformation - as part of a project involving two Australasian agencies: Daylight in New Zealand and Bastion Digital in Australia. The new-look Fiji Sun website. According to a statement, 'Bastion Digital led the business transformation and editorial strategy, guiding the Fiji Sun through modern newsroom practices and delivering intensive training... 'Daylight... led the development of the new publishing platform, one that puts powerful storytelling, audience experience, and modern monetisation tools at the core.' Fiji Sun acting publisher and chief executive Rosi Doviverata said the changes were a 'landmark moment' in an environment 'where independent media plays a critical role and press freedoms continue to evolve'. The new-look website features news updates, sports results, and a dedicated Fijian-language section. The transformation also unlocked new commercial opportunities, according to the statement: dynamic advertising models, sponsored content, bundled print and digital offerings, newsletters, podcasts, and video journalism. Future phases would see the introduction of subscription models and first-party audience data strategies. 'For 25 years, the Fiji Sun has been a cornerstone of Fijian journalism,' said Daylight chief executive Lee Lowndes. 'This new platform propels them from a basic digital footprint to a premium, agile, and scalable news service.' 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. Watch Media Insider – The Podcast on YouTube, or listen to it on iHeartRadio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Funds to buy community hub fall short
The former Baptist church and hall on the corner of North Rd and Calder Ave. PHOTO: GERARD O'BRIEN "We tried, but could not get over the last hurdle." That was the message from a trio of grassroots organisations that have been trying to raise the funds to buy the former Baptist Church at 270 North Rd — a community hub at present. The sold signs went up last Thursday on the former church site and the house behind it, at 6 Calder St. Harcourts International real estate agent Jim Packer confirmed the sale, and said settlement would be in December. He was unable to elaborate on the buyer, or the price. The site had been listed on the market by Auckland-based Baptist Churches of New Zealand for $820,000. Mr Packer said the other neighbouring house, at 268 North Rd, remained on the market. Since the three properties were put up for sale in May, local community organisations the Valley Baptist Community Trust, The Valley Project and Valley Community Workspace had been trying to raise the funds to buy it. In a statement, The Valley Project executive chairman James Sutherland said their bid had been unsuccessful. "Unfortunately, the new owner of the community centre is not going to be the community," the statement said. "We will still be in the centre till the end of the year and will work with the new owner to explore options of keeping the centre if that is what they intend, while working on a Plan B in case we have to vacate the building. "We are sorry we were unable to get this across the line, but we want to thank all of the community who donated and connected us with others in the community," Mr Sutherland said. The community hub, which now occupies the space, is accessed by about 60 local, grassroots organisations, including early childhood education, dance and karate lessons, a playgroup and community events. The boards of The Valley Project, Valley Community Workspace and North East Valley Baptist Community Trust will continue to explore options for community facilities.
