Media Releases
Radio New Zealand starts search for new CEO
Released at 4:37 pm on 18 January 2013
Radio New Zealand has initiated an appointment process to find a replacement for Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief, Peter Cavanagh, when he completes his term later this year.
In making the announcement that he will be stepping down from the role at the end of the year, Peter Cavanagh emphasised the importance of a smooth transition for the public service broadcaster.
“I have advised the Board that after ten years as CEO of Radio New Zealand, I will not be seeking to renew my contract when it expires in December. I am announcing my decision now to give the Board as much time as possible to find the best person to lead the organisation into the future.
“It has been a great privilege for me to lead a world class public service broadcaster like Radio New Zealand over the past decade, but at the end of the year it will be time for me to move on to other things.
Radio New Zealand Chairman, Richard Griffin, says the Board has initiated a recruitment process to appoint a new CEO and details posted on the Radio New Zealand website indicate that applications will be considered by a sub-committee of the Board.
Peter Cavanagh’s announcement has given the Board a long lead time to identify and appoint the best available person to head our world class public service broadcaster and we are in a very strong position as we commence that process. "
“It is a credit to Peter’s stewardship that Radio New Zealand has never been in better heart. Public support is running at record levels, key Charter performance indicators are among the best ever, and Radio New Zealand National has ended 2012 well ahead of its nearest commercial rival.”
In making his announcement Peter Cavanagh said New Zealanders had a great appetite for quality public service broadcasting, making Radio New Zealand one of the most successful public broadcasters anywhere in the world.
“I take enormous pride in the fact that New Zealand’s only national public service broadcaster is also the most popular radio service in the country.
“Radio New Zealand National finished 2012 as the No.1 radio station in New Zealand for the second year in a row. For a public service broadcaster operating in the most competitive radio market in the world, this is a truly remarkable achievement.
“Support for the organisation among the general public has never been higher.
“Radio New Zealand is also the nation’s leading online broadcaster and continues to attract wide acclaim both here and internationally for the outstanding quality of its news, Information and entertainment programming.
“I am delighted to say that New Zealanders have a national public service broadcaster of which they can be truly proud.”
Richard Griffin noted that ten years as CEO was something of an achievement itself in a highly pressured media industry, crediting Peter Cavanagh with some significant achievements over the past decade.
“In an era when media fragmentation and technological change have taken a toll on commercial radio and print media, Radio New Zealand has not only retained its traditional audiences, it has successfully developed and expanded a range of on-line services and mobile applications to encompass New Zealanders and other listeners wherever they are around the world."
“This is an organisation that has maximised the value of existing resources and made a remarkable and very successful transition from traditional radio broadcaster to become an internationally respected multi-platform service provider."
In making the comment Richard Griffin also noted that Peter Cavanagh’s term as CEO has been marked by Radio New Zealand successes in major broadcasting industry awards both at home and, more recently, in the highly competitive international environment.
Radio New Zealand has won more than 80 New Zealand Radio Awards since 2003 including the supreme Metropolitan Station of the Year for Radio New Zealand National in 2009. International recognition has included the prestigious AIB International Radio Station of the Year in 2007 and two AIB awards and a New York Festival Award in 2012.
