RNZ Buys $7.5Mill Auckland HQ

Radio New Zealand is to expand its presence in Auckland, including plans to buy a central city building for $7.5million.

The move follows a recent decision to move Auckland operations from Cook Street, where it shared space with building owners The Radio Network (once upon a time the commercial division of RNZ).

Work on the new offices at 171 Hobson Street had already commenced when an option to purchase the building outright became available. This offer has been accepted by the RNZ board.

RNZ’s main headquarters will remain in Wellington, however Board Chairman Brian Corban emphasised the importance of the company’s long-term plan to expand services in the Auckland region.

“This purchase firmly underlines Radio New Zealand’s strategic intention to enhance network services in the Auckland region and will accommodate future growth for public service broadcasting in the country’s largest population centre.

“I feel a great personal satisfaction that Radio New Zealand has been restored to a permanent home. It was under my watch as Deputy Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand in the late ’80s that Broadcasting House in Durham Lane was sold with the loss of valuable studio facilities.”

Replacement plans were not followed hrough at that time, he says, and when a building was subsequently secured, it too was lost in the 1995 restructuring of RNZ.

“Radio New Zealand will move out from its current anonymous premises in Auckland and can reclaim the public profile it properly deserves. “

RNZ Chief Executive Peter Cavanagh says the move recognises that as a public service broadcaster RNZ must reflect the country’s changing cultural diversity and recognise both the size and multiculturalism of Auckland as well as its status as the business capital of New Zealand.

“Auckland is the major New Zealand city by far and our current level of representation is simply not adequate to do that justice. The purchase of premises in central Auckland allows us the freedom to expand and improve our service to the greater Auckland region. “

He says the move comes after a year of growth and expansion in Auckland.

“We have added significant staff resources in Auckland this year with the introduction of a Pacific Island correspondent, a general news reporter, a new Maori Affairs reporter, the appointment of an Asian affairs producer, an additional position for Sound Archives Nga Taonga Korero, and the establishment of a position for a permanent Auckland producer to work on Nine To Noon with Linda Clark.

“Radio New Zealand audiences can expect to see an expansion in areas of news and current affairs, with a particular emphasis on cultural, Maori, Pacific Island and Asian affairs, as well as business affairs and Auckland issues generally.“