Health And Gender Equality Are Indivisible And Fundamental Human Rights
The theme of HLPF 2025 is 'Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind'.
The 2025 HLPF with full appreciation for the integrated, indivisible and interlinked nature of the Sustainable Development Goals, is conducting in-depth reviews of: SDG-3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages); SDG-5 (achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls); SDG-8 (promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG-14 (conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development); and SDG-17 (strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
'Progress towards SDG3, continues to be stunted in the Asia Pacific region, such as on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights; communicable and noncommunicable diseases; universal health coverage; and access for all to safe, effective, quality and affordable disease prevention tools like vaccines, diagnostics and medicines,' said Shobha Shukla, who earlier taught physics at Loreto Convent College and leads CNS as Founder Executive Director. She is a feminist and development justice leader who coordinates Sexual Health with Equity & Rights (SHE & Rights).
'Gender disparities significantly impact health outcomes and evidence shows that SDG 3 goals cannot be realised without addressing SDG 5 on gender equality. Rise of anti-rights and anti-gender ideologies, including the regressive Geneva Consensus Declaration, the most recent trend of defunding development assistance for gender equality and health, the impact of austerity measures in debt-ridden countries, deprioritisation of health spending, and poor domestic resource allocation on health, are contributing to reversal in progress towards SDG3,' she added.
Sexual and reproductive health and bodily autonomy are critical to deliver on SDG3 and other SDGs
'Essential health services must include sexual and reproductive health services - including safe abortion and post-abortion care, menstrual health hygiene, and mental health services, with particular attention to women, adolescent girls, persons with disability, indigenous peoples, gender diverse communities, older people, young people, migrant workers, refugees, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, among others. They must also include all health and social support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence,' said Shobha Shukla.
Save the medicines that protect us
'All countries must stop misuse and overuse of medicines in all sectors and prevent antimicrobial resistance using the One Health approach,' said Shobha Shukla who serves as Chairperson of Global Antimicrobial Resistance Media Alliance (GAMA).
'WHO FCTC Articles 5.3 and 19 empower governments to make tobacco and nicotine industries liable and pay for the harm they are causing to human health and our planet. All forms of corporate capture of public health policy must end and corporations that are causing harm to human health and the environment must be held liable,' she said.
Gender-transformative reforms of global financial architecture is vital
Gender transformative economic system that is based on rights to justice, care, and equality for everyone urgently. Because most of the countries in the Global South are in the cycles of perennial debt – which they have to keep servicing to international financial institutions. This results into austerity measures which include countries cutting down on public services, access to health services, education services, social protection services, among others.
Governments must suspend patents and lift trade rules that impede access to medicines and medical technologies, said Shobha Shukla. UN Charter and other legally binding treaties like CEDAW, FCTC, etc have to take primacy over trade deals - we cannot let profit override people's interests.
Also, we cannot forget COVID-19 when multilateralism failed the Global South. Vaccines were piled up and expired ones thrown by some rich nations when Global South nations had no dose for example. We cannot have Global North heavy multilateralism.
'Governments also need to address occupational health and provide meaningful 'right to know' to workers, prioritize prevention, and establish exposure limits protective of the most vulnerable populations. All SDG3 targets must be fully-funded and DAC countries (30 developed nations that give aid to developing nations) should fulfill their commitment to official development assistance (ODA) for gender equality and health. At the same time countries must mobilise domestic resources for health,' she added.
Health responses and all public services must be person-centred, gender transformative and rights-based
'We have to ensure that health responses and all public services are people-centred, gender transformative and rights-based for all, without any condition or exclusion,' said Shobha Shukla, lead discussant for SDG3 at HLPF 2025.
'With less than 5 and a half years left to deliver on SDG3, we appeal to governments to step up their actions on gender equality and right to health - where no one is left behind,' she said.
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Scoop
3 days ago
- Scoop
Prevention Revolution And Policy Harmonisation Are Critical To End AIDS
SHOBHA SHUKLA – CNS Despite having science-based tools for HIV combination prevention, there were 1.3 million people who A collage of people with text AI-generated content may be newly diagnosed with HIV in 2023 - and also in 2024 - hardly any decline between the two years. Despite having science-backed lifesaving antiretroviral therapy to help every person living with HIV healthy and well (and virally suppressed - which also ensures there is zero risk of HIV transmission because treatment works as prevention), 630,000 people died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2023 - and also in 2024 - hardly any decline between the two years. We clearly need a prevention revolution to drastically bring down new HIV infections as well as a lot more needs to be done to reduce AIDS-related deaths. 'Business as usual' is clearly not an option. In sub-Saharan Africa, one in four (~25%) of new HIV infections occur among key populations, but in Asia Pacific region, four in five (79%) of new HIV infections occur among key populations (such as men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, persons who inject drugs, among others). In 2024 alone, there were an estimated 800,000 new HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa, and women and girls accounted for 63% of them. Adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 are more than twice as likely to acquire HIV as their male peers. These numbers remind us that HIV remains a public health crisis. But HIV is not just a medical or health issue—it is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and legal factors. To truly end HIV as a public health threat, we must look beyond the virus itself and address the broader context in which it thrives," said Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, Legal Representative and Head of Strategic Litigation and Research, OurEquity, South Africa; member of Johannesburg Society of Advocates. "Sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice (SRHRJ) is about more than access to contraception or maternal care. It is about the right of every individual to make informed decisions about their bodies, free from violence, coercion, or discrimination. When people - especially women and girls - are denied these rights, they become more vulnerable to HIV and other health risks. For example, only 40% of young women in sub-Saharan Africa have comprehensive knowledge about HIV prevention. In some countries, less than 50% of women have access to modern contraception. Gender-based violence remains alarmingly prevalent: in South Africa, a woman is killed every three hours, and one in three women has experienced intimate partner violence," said Letlhognolo. Letlhogonolo was speaking in SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights) session co-hosted by Global Center for Health Diplomacy and Inclusion (CeHDI), International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP 2025), Family Planning News Network (FPNN), International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), Asia Pacific Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media) and CNS. Survivors of violence are at a 50% higher risk of acquiring HIV "Criminalisation of same-sex relationships and sex work drives key populations underground, away from essential health services. In 31 African countries, same-sex relationships are still criminalised, making it difficult for LGBTQIA+ individuals to access HIV prevention and care. Sex workers, who are 13 times more likely to be living with HIV than the general population, often face harassment and violence, further increasing their vulnerability. Justice is central to this conversation. Laws and policies that discriminate against people living with HIV, LGBTQIA+ individuals, sex workers, and other marginalised groups, not only violate human rights but also fuel the epidemic," said Letlhogonolo. "For example, in Nigeria, the Same Sex Marriage (Prohibition) Act has led to a 41% decrease in access to HIV services among men who have sex with men. Justice means ensuring that everyone—regardless of who they are or whom they love—can access the information, services, and support they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives," added Letlhogonolo. If HIV funding is not fully restored, new infections and AIDS deaths can increase alarmingly "Recent global funding cuts could send the world back to levels of HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths not seen since the early 2000s. Next 5-years projection show that new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths globally can dangerously rise if the lost funding (both this year and in recent years) does not return. Many countries have reduced their investments and domestic funding is often inadequate to fully fund the AIDS response – which has been relying on external support," said Eamonn Murphy, UNAIDS Regional Director for Asia Pacific, and Central Asia and Eastern Europe. 'Nine countries in Asia and the Pacific region have rising new HIV infection rates. 9 countries in the region have too low coverage of lifesaving antiretroviral treatments. Moreover, the region has been hit with funding crisis – and – overall HIV prevention crisis too. Between 2010 to 2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which reported an increase in newly diagnosed people with HIV. Fiji has the world's fastest growing epidemic, new HIV infections increased by over 3091% in Fiji,' said Murphy. 'Along with Fiji, other countries in Asia Pacific where there was an upswing in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 are: 562% rise in Philippines; 187% rise in Afghanistan; 84% rise in Papua New Guinea; 67% rise in Bhutan; 48% rise in Sri Lanka; 42% rise in Timor-Leste; 33% rise in Bangladesh; and 16% rise in Lao PDR. Between 2010-2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which are also treating less than half of the people living with HIV, such as Afghanistan (11%), Pakistan (16%), Fiji (24%), Philippines (40%), Bangladesh (41%), Indonesia (41%), Mongolia (41%), PNG (46%), and Maldives (48%),' said Murphy of UNAIDS. Between 2010-2024, there were 9 countries in Asia Pacific which are also treating less than half of the people living with HIV, such as Afghanistan (11%), Pakistan (16%), Fiji (24%), Philippines (40%), Bangladesh (41%), Indonesia (41%), Mongolia (41%), PNG (46%), and Maldives (48%). 'Compared to the decline in the number of people newly diagnosed with HIV between 2010-2024 worldwide (40%), the decline in Asia Pacific is far behind (17%),' said Eamonn of UNAIDS. In Eastern and Southern Africa, new HIV infections declined by 57% during the same period. Pam Ntshekula calls for rights and safety of sex workers "Our mission is clear: sex workers deserve dignity, protection, and full recognition of their human rights. We are calling for the full decriminalisation of sex work because sex workers deserve to work in safe, free, and dignified spaces. Right now, criminalisation puts sex workers at risk - it makes them more vulnerable to violence, police abuse, stigma, and poor health access. Decriminalisation would mean sex workers can report crimes without fear, access healthcare without judgment, and work without hiding. It is not just a legal issue —it is about human rights, health, and safety. Every sex worker deserves to be protected, respected, and free to choose how they live and work," said Pam Ntshekula is a dedicated advocate for the rights and safety of sex workers and Lobbyist Officer, Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), South Africa. "Many sex workers avoid clinics due to stigma and mistreatment. Full decriminalisation ensures safe, respectful access to SRHR services. Criminalisation limits condom use, outreach, and health education. Decriminalisation creates safer environments for prevention and care. Constant fear of arrest, violence, and shame harms mental wellness. SDG3 includes mental health - sex workers deserve safety and peace of mind," Pam added. "Sex workers face high levels of rape, assault, and abuse - often from police or clients. Decriminalisation allows them to report violence and access justice. Gender equality means protecting all genders and identities. My message is: There is no health without rights. There is no equality without decriminalisation. Decriminalising sex work is the single most powerful move to remove legal barriers to health access, justice, and human dignity. It also lets peer educators and health organisations do their work without fear," said Pam. "We also need to tackle poverty and unemployment by linking sex workers to job training, housing support, and social grants if they choose to exit. Empowerment means choices, not pressure." SDG goals and targets are not standalone but interconnected "Each of SDG goals and targets are interconnected. For example, studies show that countries with higher gender equality have lower rates of HIV infection among women. In Botswana, legal reforms to protect women's property rights have led to increased economic independence and better health outcomes. We cannot achieve health without justice. We cannot achieve justice without upholding rights. And we cannot uphold rights without addressing the root causes of inequality and exclusion," said Letlhogonolo. "It means we must break down silos. HIV programmes cannot operate in isolation from broader sexual and reproductive health services. Legal reforms must go hand in hand with public health initiatives. We must listen to and empower those most affected—young people, women, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with HIV—to lead the way," they added. "It means investing in education, not just about HIV, but about consent, healthy relationships, and bodily autonomy. In Uganda, the DREAMS initiative, which combines HIV prevention with education and economic empowerment for adolescent girls, has reduced new HIV infections among participants by 25%. Supporting community-based organisations is crucial: in Kenya, peer-led outreach among sex workers has doubled the uptake of HIV testing and treatment. It means holding governments accountable for their commitments to human rights and the SDGs," stressed Letlhogonolo. "In 2023, out of 54 African countries, only 16 African countries had fully funded their national HIV responses. We must advocate for increased domestic investment and international solidarity. And it means recognising that justice is not just a legal concept—it is a lived reality. When a young woman can access contraception without fear, when a gay man can seek HIV testing without shame, when a sex worker can report violence without risking arrest, we are moving closer to justice," rightly said Letlhogonolo. "Essential health services must include sexual and reproductive health services - including safe abortion and post-abortion care, menstrual health hygiene, and mental health services, with particular attention to women, adolescent girls, persons with disability, indigenous peoples, gender diverse communities, older people, young people, migrant workers, refugees, people living with HIV, sex workers, people who use drugs, among others. They must also include all health and social support services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence," said Shobha Shukla, Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at the United Nations High Level Political Forum 2025 (HLPF 2025) in New York. "We have to ensure that health responses are people-centred, gender transformative and rights-based for all, without any condition or exclusion." She rightly called upon the government leaders who had assembled at the UN: "With less than 5 and a half years left to deliver on SDG3, we appeal to governments to step up their actions on gender equality and right to health - where no one is left behind." Shobha Shukla – CNS (Citizen News Service) (Shobha Shukla is a feminist, health and development justice advocate, and an award-winning founding Managing Editor and Executive Director of CNS (Citizen News Service). She was also the Lead Discussant for SDG-3 at United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF 2025). She is a former senior Physics faculty of prestigious Loreto Convent College; current President of Asia Pacific Regional Media Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT Media); Chairperson of Global AMR Media Alliance (GAMA received AMR One Health Emerging Leaders and Outstanding Talents Award 2024); and coordinator of SHE & Rights (Sexual Health with Equity & Rights). Follow her on Twitter/X @shobha1shukla or read her writings here
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Social worker suspended over dodgy Covid vaccine exemption
A Dunedin-based social worker who issued a shonky Covid-19 vaccine exemption has been suspended for a year. Dr Jacquelyn Elkington's case came before the Social Workers Complaints and Disciplinary Tribunal yesterday — but she did not. Elderly pay price for Covid 'complacency' The woman, who is listed on the University of Otago's website as a senior lecturer hauora Māori, failed to show up for the hearing and was promptly found guilty of professional misconduct after tribunal chairman Winston McCarthy found her behaviour was likely to bring discredit to the profession. It was the first time a social worker has been taken to task over a Covid-19 issue and co-counsel for the professional conduct committee (PCC) Becca Boles said the only appropriate penalty was deregistration. But the tribunal opted to suspend Dr Elkington for 12 months, censuring her and ordering her to pay costs of more than $13,000. In November 2021, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government introduced legislation narrowing the grounds for a vaccine exemption. Only a suitably qualified health practitioner could make the assessment and it had to be verified by the country's director-general of health. A month later, Dr Elkington — who was working in Auckland at the time — issued such an exemption for a "vulnerable" client. "She's not a medical practitioner, she's a social worker," PCC co-counsel Elena Mok said. "Her conduct took her outside the scope of her practice." A day later, the man used the exemption in a bid to gain entry to a recreational facility. A staff member subsequently raised suspicions and referred the matter to the health and disability commissioner (HDC). Ms Mok said Dr Elkington's conduct "snowballed" from that point, Dr Elkington thwarting the resulting investigations against her by repeatedly failing to provide information. In June 2022, the woman made an online application to renew her practising certificate with the Social Workers Registration Board. Dr Elkington falsely indicated she was not subject to any inquiry and when she was pulled up on her lie, she claimed she thought the HDC inquiry had closed. But a couple of months later she resubmitted the online application, again declaring she was free of any scrutiny. Dr Elkington's behaviour was "at least misleading, if not outright false", Ms Mok said. The social worker went on to claim she felt "harassed and threatened" by the probe into her conduct, and that it was "borderline bullying". Many requests for information — about client notes or records on how many vaccine exemptions she had issued — throughout 2024, after the file was passed on to the PCC, were met with silence. At other points, Dr Elkington said she could not provide the documentation as she did not have the consent of her clients. She occasionally claimed to have already submitted the requested information and also made references to the Bill of Rights Act and various international treaties. On one occasion Dr Elkington referred to the River of Lies documentary — which bills itself as revealing the truth behind the "New Zealand scamdemic" — produced by the controversial Billy Te Kahika. Her lack of engagement in the process showed a disrespect for the process and an ongoing lack of remorse and insight, reinforced by her non-attendance at yesterday's hearing, the PCC argued. "The vaccine exemption appears to have been issued because of Dr Elkington's personal beliefs about the safety of the vaccine and her views on the Covid pandemic," Ms Mok said. "Dr Elkington's attempt to justify her approach is an example of her effectively allowing these personal beliefs to influence her social work practice unduly." The University of Otago refused to answer questions about the woman's employment at the institution. In 2022, Dr Elkington ran for the Whakatāne mayoralty and posted online at the time her various theories, which included that the Covid-19 vaccination caused monkeypox. She came sixth out of seven candidates. Dr Elkington did not respond to requests for comment. The tribunal ordered that if the social worker returned to practice she must undertake monthly supervision for a year.
NZ Herald
6 days ago
- NZ Herald
Media Insider: Billboard ad – ‘cruel' body-shaming or bald facts?; Omitted Ruby Tui in Adidas World Cup campaign; New RNZ exec role to help lift ratings; Is MediaWorks' owner for sale?
Medical tourism provider Asthetica has certainly raised the ire in some quarters with what the company admits is an 'intentionally provocative' ad targeting those dealing with hair loss. This billboard ad - pictured here in Kingsland, Auckland - has raised the ire of some people who call it body shaming. Photo / Dean Purcell 'This ad isn't clever. It's not aspirational. It's body-shaming, plain and simple, and – frankly – quite cruel,' Sarah Ritchie, an Auckland-based author and business mentor, wrote on LinkedIn this week. 'The message implies that being bald is something to be embarrassed about. That approach is not just outdated, it's harmful. Baldness is natural and very common (for men and women). And it doesn't diminish anyone's worth, confidence, or attractiveness. 'Ads like this fuel insecurity in order to sell a product or service. I know that's the way of the world, but it's not ethical marketing – it's exploitation.' Having embraced a clean-shaven dome for about three decades, I'm not personally offended, but Ritchie's concerns aren't the first I've heard about this campaign. Asthetica would be unlikely to get away with a similar phrase that focused, say, on body weight. One of Ritchie's followers wrote in response to her post: 'Imagine the outrage if the billboard comment was body-shaming women, we [seem] more accepting when it's male-focused.' Another said: 'Some people do look better bald, 100% and some of us lose our hair due to chemo, so really then it's not about how we look, it's about digging deep to stay alive. They tried and they failed with this out-of-touch ad.' And a third person wrote: 'It's terrible. Ironically, their art direction needs a lot of work!' Of course, it all makes for good publicity for Asthetica, which says it welcomes 'the conversation'. Founder and chief executive David Allen told Media Insider that the line was 'tongue-in-cheek, not a literal insult'. It was, he said, 'reflective of how many people feel internally but don't say out loud'. 'Our intent with this ad was never to shame anyone, but rather to connect with the many men and women who privately struggle with hair loss and are actively seeking solutions,' Allen said. He said the line was 'intentionally provocative, designed to cut through the noise and spark a reaction, because hair loss is an emotional topic often brushed under the rug (no pun intended)'. Allen said the company did not want to 'mock those who experience loss', which is an interesting take, given the ad quite clearly mocks baldness. He also quoted an anonymous client stating there was a reason why no bald men appeared in aspirational or lifestyle ads – an assertion that might easily be contested by Jason Statham, Andre Agassi or our own Leigh Hart. Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and actor Jason Statham attend the Fast X film premiere in April. Photo / Getty Images Asthetica is certainly standing firm, with no intention to remove or alter the ad. And it is working, the Australia-based firm said. 'Since launching, we've seen a sharp increase in inquiries from people suffering in silence who say this ad gave them the push they needed to explore treatment,' Allen said. The company claims to work with 'hundreds' of New Zealand clients annually, many of them travelling to Turkey for hair transplants. Those medical/cosmetic packages cost $7200 (including accommodation) – Allen says an equivalent hair transplant in New Zealand would cost anywhere from $20,000 to $30,000 and would be 'carried out mostly by less experienced surgeons'. He said clients typically saved between 30% and 70%, even after accounting for flights and spending money. To those who felt the ad was an example of body-shaming, Allen said: 'We hear you. But the ad isn't directed at others, it's an invitation for those who are already struggling and actively want help. We aim to empower, not judge. Body positivity includes the freedom to make personal changes without shame.' As a postscript, Allen said he started the company 'after being my own client'. 'I attach my photos for your reference. You have permission to use these should you wish, but only in [their] entirety/not cropped.' Asthetica founder and chief executive David Allen before and after his own treatment. Photos / David Allen Have your say – does the ad offend you? Comments on this story are open below. One Good Poll Ruby Tui's Adidas RWC shoot Well, this might be a little awkward. Ruby Tui is, without doubt, one of New Zealand rugby's most marketable athletes and personalities. Her book and backstory are required reading, and she remains a fan favourite wherever she appears. So it's little surprise that NZR sponsor and sportswear giant Adidas (along with many of us) might have considered her a shoo-in for the Black Ferns' World Cup squad this year. Tui features strongly on Adidas' website, wearing and marketing the Black Ferns' 2025 Rugby World Cup jersey - both in a single frame image, and with her teammates. Ruby Tui in the RWC 2025 Adidas marketing campaign. These days, marketers like to have plenty of time to build their campaigns. Unfortunately, they (like the rest of us) don't get a heads-up on who might actually be in the team. Last Friday came the announcement of the Black Ferns' Rugby World Cup squad - and with it, the omission of Tui. Ruby Tui, second from left, in the Adidas RWC jersey marketing campaign. While she has been somewhat on the outer of selection this year, she did play off the bench against Australia last month - and coach Allan Bunting has said leaving her out of the Cup squad was a 'millimetre' decision. Tui showed her class by showing up to the team announcement last Friday, and cheering on the players who had beaten her to the cut. As well as Adidas' website campaign, Tui's image was also prominent in a digital advertisement for the company at Auckland's Sylvia Park mall last Saturday afternoon, 24 hours after the Cup squad was announced. Ruby Tui also featured in a pre-World Cup Adidas digital ad last weekend, 24 hours after it was announced she was not in the squad. All of this brings up memories of a similar situation in 2015 when Israel Dagg was a shock omission from the All Blacks' Rugby World Cup squad that year – he had already been filmed in a starring role for an Air New Zealand flight safety ad shortly before the tournament. Tui was unavailable for comment yesterday and Adidas did not answer specific questions about the logistics of the campaign, or whether it might be tweaked. It is quite likely that Tui's star power will still hold the campaign in good stead, even if it feels a little awkward that she's wearing the World Cup jersey that she will, sadly, not get to play in, barring injury to another player. Emails to Adidas' advertising agency and directly to the company in Auckland were eventually answered by a senior leader in Australia. 'Adidas is proud to activate our 'You Got This' campaign throughout 2025 in New Zealand, featuring several Black Ferns players, including Adidas athlete Ruby Tui,' said Adidas brand communications and senior manager Lizzy Hunter. 'The campaign is a celebration of the Black Ferns, demonstrating what's possible when athletes are supported on and off the field. We're excited to work with Ruby as she continues to inspire the next generation of New Zealand athletes.' RNZ exec overhaul RNZ currently has nine executives. Photo / RNZ RNZ is overhauling one of its most important and influential executive roles, placing a renewed focus on its radio and audio performance. RNZ's traditional radio listenership is on a downward spiral – a trend that a new chief audio officer will be responsible for helping arrest. The new executive role has been advertised this week and follows a recommendation from former RNZ news boss Richard Sutherland, who has been reviewing the company's audio performance. The new role comes as chief content officer Megan Whelan departs RNZ. The company says her role will not be replaced, although it does have an acting head of content in place for now. Outgoing RNZ head of content Megan Whelan. Photo / RNZ With the planned new chief audio officer role having a seat at the top table, it appears the company will therefore retain nine executives, despite budget cuts and a call for voluntary redundancies. Interestingly, the new role will be based in Auckland - perhaps a sign, also, of the company wanting a stronger leadership presence in the country's biggest city. 'As part of the work RNZ is undertaking on live listening, we've made the decision to create a dedicated leadership role for audio,' an RNZ spokeswoman said. 'This was recommended in the advice received from Richard Sutherland but has been part of our thinking for some time. 'RNZ has successfully grown its overall audience across platforms, but RNZ National is in need of additional focus to improve its audience engagement. 'The chief audio officer is an exciting role that will be responsible not just for the performance and excellence of live radio but also for RNZ's digital and on-demand audio. 'The chief audio officer is an integral part of our developing audio plan and will bring their expertise to it. We expect to receive strong interest and high-calibre candidates for this executive position.' The interim head of content role was in place 'while we decide where teams will sit in the new structure'. 'No other executive team changes are planned at present.' Mediawatch host departing Hayden Donnell. RNZ says it's still finalising requests of staff who have asked for voluntary redundancy, and can't provide an update or numbers at this stage. However, Media Insider can reveal today that one of RNZ Mediawatch's two presenters is off. Mediawatch producer Hayden Donnell – who works alongside host Colin Peacock – has made the call to leave RNZ on August 28 and starts at The Spinoff as a senior writer on September 8. Donnell would be missed, an RNZ spokeswoman said. 'During his roughly five years with RNZ, Hayden has brought his distinct style and flair to the position ... We are currently working through the replacement process and discussing this role alongside others within the RNZ podcast team.' The Spinoff described Donnell's appointment as a 'significant homecoming'. He had been a 'foundational and recurring voice' for the website. 'He was one of the platform's first staff writers, hosted the cult web series Get It To Te Papa, and has been a consistent and beloved contributing writer over the past decade. In his new fulltime role, Donnell will focus on analysis, commentary and in-depth reporting across politics, media, and culture.' The Spinoff editor Madeleine Chapman said the company was 'beyond excited'. 'Hayden is one of New Zealand's sharpest and funniest writers. His ability to cut through the noise, always with a unique sense of humour, is exactly what The Spinoff is about.' The Spinoff CEO Amber Easby said the appointment signalled a continued investment in high-quality, independent journalism. 'In today's media landscape, investing in distinctive, trusted voices is the most important thing we can do. Hayden is one of those voices.' Three-dom day: Sky takes the reins A hugely significant day in New Zealand media today, as Sky TV officially takes ownership of Three and Three Now from US giant Warner Bros Discovery. 'Really, the hard work starts now,' Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney told Media Insider this week. Sky TV chief executive Sophie Moloney opens up in this week's Media Insider podcast. She spoke at length on this week's Media Insider podcast about the acquisition, offering up some hints as to how some of the programming might work across the plethora of pay and free-to-air channels now under the company's umbrella. She also talked about the latest in sports rights negotiations - specifically the loss of netball rights to TVNZ and the pending, new five-year deal with NZ Rugby. Sky has been at pains to reiterate that it will be retaining the Three and Three Now brands, even though - in the background - it's had to trademark a new name, Sky Free, and logos for the division that will run the free-to-air channels. The latest trademarked Sky Free logo - Sky is at pains to reiterate this is not a consumer brand, and that Three and Three Now will be retained. Asked how she would celebrate today's momentous handover, Moloney suggested sausage rolls with staff on Monday would be in order. Which is quite funny when you think a plate of 30 sausage rolls is 60 bucks at New World, according to its website- 60 times what Sky paid for Three. Is MediaWorks' owner about to be sold? As the dust settles on the Sky-Three acquisition, are there more ownership changes in the wind for another of our biggest media companies? MediaWorks is now 100% owned by Australian outdoor advertising firm QMS, which in turn is owned by private equity firm Quadrant. Quadrant chairman Chris Hadley told the Australian Financial Review that his options for QMS were growing. 'After Covid, a period of high interest rates and inflation, the prospects for the media industry generally is strengthening, and outdoor particularly,' Hadley said. 'More and more creative, impactful digital outdoor is now being viewed globally as a form of media infrastructure. In that regard, QMS is a leader in this part of the world. Given the growth, scale and profitability of QMS, exit options for the business are available.' The Australian Financial Review reported that QMS was on the list of possible takeover targets for Nine Entertainment. 'Nine is selling its majority stake in property portal Domain for [A]$1.4 billion to CoStar, leaving it with around [A]$500 million in cash after returning funds to shareholders. Analysts have suggested oOh!media could also be a target for Nine,' the Australian Financial Review reported. MediaWorks chairman Barclay Nettlefold (left) and chief executive Wendy Palmer. QMS and MediaWorks chair Barclay Nettlefold told the publication there were no conversations at the moment about selling QMS. 'We get to focus on growing the business,' he reportedly said. Quadrant did not respond to specific questions yesterday, through MediaWorks, but did say in a statement: 'QMS and MediaWorks are always focused on delivering market-leading audiences and maximising value for customers.' Top MediaWorks outdoor ad exec quits MediaWorks outdoor boss Mike Watkins. One of New Zealand's most respected advertising executives is leaving his role. MediaWorks Outdoor chief executive Mike Watkins will leave this month, just as the company prepares to take over the lucrative Auckland Transport (AT) outdoor contracts. In a statement, he said he was 'moving on to pursue a range of exciting new opportunities, including work with several start-ups'. A MediaWorks spokeswoman said Watkins had advised the company of his resignation in May and would leave the business on August 12. It is understood that key executives from Australia – alongside MediaWorks chief executive Wendy Palmer – played a critical role in working on the AT pitch. Neither MediaWorks nor AT responded to other specific questions, including who might pick up the outdoor reins at a critical period. The AT contracts, which come into effect on October 16, are a massive boost for the outdoor advertising and radio business - they are valued by some in the industry at $350 million over the next decade. According to his biography, Watkins has spent time at 'many of New Zealand's leading advertising, design and film production companies – including Generator, Meares Taine, M&C Saatchi, Designworks and Film Construction'. 'In 2016, he jumped the fence to media, taking a role as general manager of APN Outdoor, which was later acquired by JCDecaux. Until late 2023, he was country head of JCDecaux New Zealand.' He has been with MediaWorks since November 2023. 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.
