PHOTO: Stuff Group owner and chief executive Sinead Boucher. SUPPLIED
Employees within Stuff Digital’s live news and commissioning teams have been called to meetings with management and human resources as the media organisation begins consultation on proposed workplace changes.
Staff affected by the proposal were advised via email on Tuesday that meetings would be held on Wednesday with Stuff Digital Editor-in-Chief Keith Lynch, human resources representatives and an E tū union representative.
According to reports, the meetings involve members of the company’s live news and commissioning teams located throughout New Zealand.
Consultation Process Underway
An internal email, reportedly seen by RNZ, emphasised that no decisions have yet been made.
Instead, employees are being presented with a proposal before entering a formal consultation process.
Following the initial meeting, affected staff will receive documentation outlining the proposed changes and have the opportunity to:
- Review the proposal
- Ask questions
- Provide feedback
- Seek independent advice
- Participate in consultation before any final decisions are reached
The communication stated that the consultation process would be genuine and that management would carefully consider employee feedback before determining the final outcome.
What Could It Mean for Staff?
At this stage, Stuff has not publicly outlined the exact nature of the proposed changes.
However, when organisations enter formal consultation with employees, proposals can potentially include:
- Changes to team structures
- Redistribution of responsibilities
- Operational efficiencies
- Changes to reporting lines
- Role restructures
- In some cases, proposed redundancies
Importantly, there is currently no confirmation that any jobs will be lost, and the consultation process is designed to allow employees to respond before any final decisions are made.
A Changing Media Landscape
The proposed changes come as New Zealand’s media industry continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviour and ongoing financial pressures.
Traditional publishers face increasing competition from:
- Social media platforms
- Search engines
- Digital-first news providers
- Artificial intelligence-powered content discovery
At the same time, advertising revenue has become increasingly fragmented, forcing many media organisations to review operating models and newsroom structures.
Over the past several years, a number of New Zealand media organisations have announced restructures as they respond to evolving digital audiences and economic pressures.
Stuff’s Recent Transformation
Stuff has undergone significant changes in recent years.
In 2020, Sinead Boucher purchased the company from Australian media giant Nine Entertainment for $1, saving one of New Zealand’s largest news organisations from an uncertain future.
The move was widely viewed as a landmark moment for New Zealand media ownership.
In 2024, Stuff restructured its operations into two separate businesses:
- Stuff Digital, responsible for digital publishing and online news.
- Masthead Publishing, which manages Stuff’s newspaper titles and associated publications.
The company also entered a significant commercial partnership when Trade Me acquired a 50% stake in Stuff Digital, strengthening its investment in New Zealand’s digital media sector.
Industry Watching Closely
While the outcome of the consultation remains unknown, any proposed changes at Stuff are likely to be watched closely across New Zealand’s media industry.
Stuff remains one of the country’s largest digital publishers, and changes to its newsroom operations could provide insight into how major media companies continue to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
For now, the consultation process remains ongoing, with employees yet to receive any final decisions regarding the proposed changes.
SOURCE: RNZ