Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel
On Tuesday, TVNZ staff will find out if they get to keep their jobs, and viewers will find out if some of their favourite shows will still be on air after proposed cost-saving measures.
In March, TVNZ suggested cutting up to 68 positions and four programmes, including Sunday and Fair Go.
Its online youth-focused arm Re:News was also told its staffing was likely to be cut in half.
E tū negotiation specialist Michael Wood confirmed management would meet with staff today to announce its final decisions after the consultation period.
"So it's a challenging day for staff at TVNZ coming up but they and we remain determined that we'll continue fighting to save our stories so we continue to have good quality news and current affars at TVNZ."
He did not want to speculate on what management would say, however, staff had worked "really hard" to come up with some counter proposals.
Nobody was denying it was a challenging environment for TVNZ, however, staff had worked in teams to come up with some fresh ideas to avoid programmes being axed and jobs ending.
Michael Wood Photo:
TVNZ told RNZ's Mediawatch on Friday its news teams provided feedback on the proposals relating to their area.
It confirmed Fair Go staff took up this opportunity, but wouldn't comment on the details of the plan presented. Mediawatch understands staff were told proposals would have to include ways to increase the commercial revenue attracted by programmes.
Wood said it wouldn't be helpful to make public the details of what the staff had suggested.
"Broadly speaking, staff at all of these shows have worked hard to develop proposals to retain that news and current affairs capacity ... to find some ways that perhaps some of these shows perhaps could be done a bit differently."
Staff were willing to meet the challenges of helping TVNZ generate more revenue but wanted more say "and genuine engagement."
"Because to be honest just cutting news and current affairs now isn't going to solve TVNZ's underlying revenue challenges."
He said many viewers were also supportive.
"We've received huge support from thousands of New Zealanders for the 'save our stories' campaign ....Kiwis want to keep these iconic shows ...we really hope TVNZ listens to that."
The union maintained TVNZ had not followed its legal obligations under the collective agreement with staff and legal action was being considered if management did not have a change of mind over the job losses.
The meetings with staff would be taking place over the course of the day, he said.
Slimmed down news service at Newshub?
Meanwhile, a decision on alternatives to the proposal to close Newshub in June, with the loss of up to 300 jobs, is being kept under wraps by owner Warner brothers Discovery, but is also expected soon.
Mediawatch understands some staff are involved in a bid to keep the brand and the service alive and journalists in work.
Those contacted by Mediawatch said they could not reveal details while consultation with Warner Brothers Discovery was ongoing. Sources said staff may be informed of a decision on Wednesday.
Mediawatch understands some staff are subject to non-disclosure agreements to prevent details leaking out, a possible sign something other than the end of Newshub is being considered.
The New Zealand Herald is reporting Newshub could be thrown a lifeline to save it from total closedown.
Warner Bros Discovery has been in confidential discussions with third parties, including rival media companies, about a potential new-look news service, the Herald reports. It would still go ahead with closing its newsroom and paying redundancy to its staff and then pay another organisation to run a pared back news service that would include a 6pm TV bulletin.
