Who we are
The BSA is governed by a board of four members. Our small team, led by our Chief Executive, supports the members and runs our office services.
Members
The board governs the BSA and decides complaints. It’s made up of a chairperson and three other members who are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Broadcasting.
The chairperson must be a barrister or solicitor. One member is appointed after consultation with broadcasters, and another after consultation with public interest groups.
Susie Staley MNZM
Chairperson Susie Staley is a partner at Staley Cardoza Lawyers in Dunedin and is an experienced director across a broad range of entities. She is the Chair of Save the Children NZ, retirement village operator Chatsford Management Ltd and Police Health Plan Ltd. Susie has previously been the Chair of Maritime New Zealand and ID Dunedin Fashion Inc and has been a board member of PGG Wrightson, Tower Ltd and Dunedin International Airport.
She was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in December 2014 for services to governance and business.
Susie joined the BSA in October 2018.
Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i
Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i is Chief Philanthropic Officer of the Michael and Suzanne Borrin Foundation and a board member of Philanthropy New Zealand. She is a trustee of the Asia New Zealand Foundation and a member of the Trade for All Ministerial Advisory Group. In addition to her professional and governance roles, the Samoan/Fijian Kiwi is the co-founder of Poporazzi Productions – which tells Pacific stories through video content and music.
Tupe was recognised in 2020 as one of the University of Auckland’s 40 under 40 and was the winner of the diversity category in the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards. In 2021, she was named as one of New Zealand’s most Influential Lawyers by NZ Lawyer in the category of Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal Justice.
Tupe joined the BSA in December 2021.
John Gillespie
John is an Auckland based self-employed communications professional. He is the former Head of News and Current Affairs at Television New Zealand. During a long and successful tenure at the state broadcaster he produced a number of award-winning news and current affairs shows. After graduating with a communications degree in Australia he began his career back home in New Zealand as a journalist in regional television.
John joined the BSA in December 2021.
Aroha Beck
Aroha Beck is a Wairarapa-based lawyer and consultant, specialising in public law and regulatory systems. Her career has included senior legal roles at the Ministry for Primary Industries, Department of Internal Affairs, the Real Estate Authority, the Environmental Protection Authority, and Te Ohu Kaimoana. She is also a past member of the New Zealand Press Council (now known as the New Zealand Media Council).
He uri ia no Tapuika.
Aroha joined the BSA in May 2022.
Board Charter
As the board of an independent crown entity focused on freedom of expression without harm, it is crucial we maintain the highest level of integrity, fairness, openness and professionalism.
We bring to our roles a spirit of service to the community and a desire to improve the wellbeing of New Zealanders, including approaches consistent with Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Responsibilities under this code
Personal integrity
We act with honesty and with high standards of professional and personal integrity.
We are truthful and open. We speak up in board meetings to ensure our decisions reflect freedom of expression without harm; protect the independence of our organisation and show due care for it, complainants, broadcasters and our staff.
We deal with people fairly, impartially, promptly, sensitively and to the best of our ability.
We do not act in a way that unjustifiably favours or discriminates against particular individuals or interests. We help create an environment where diverse perspectives and backgrounds are encouraged and valued. We treat other members and staff with courtesy and respect.
Broadcasting standards reflect the interests and beliefs of a complex multicultural nation, with members sensitive to developments in society.
We treat all concerns raised by others seriously.
We will ensure the BSA has clear policies and procedures in place that help expose serious threats to our organisation and achieve the goal of free speech without harm. We will support a culture where complainants, broadcasters and staff feel they have a voice.
Professional conduct
When acting as a member, we do not pursue our own interests at the expense of the BSA's.
We do not misuse resources for personal gain or for political purposes. We behave in a way that reflects well on the reputation of the BSA and do not do anything to harm it.
We never seek gifts, hospitality or favours for ourselves, members of our families or other close associates. We follow our procedures and inform the Chair in relation to any offers of gifts or hospitality. We ensure that, where a gift or hospitality is accepted, it is recorded in our gift register.
We use information we gain in the course of our duties only for its intended purpose and never to obtain an advantage for ourselves or others or to cause detriment to the BSA.
We are well informed about privacy, official information and protected disclosures legislation. We fully comply with our procedures in relation to official information.
We act in an impartial manner. Irrespective of our own interests, we conduct ourselves in a way that enables us to effectively reflect our legislative mandate whoever is in Government.
When acting in our private capacity, we avoid any activity that could jeopardise our ability to perform our role, or which could erode the public’s trust in the BSA. We discuss with the Chair any proposal to make comment or to undertake any significant activity which would jeopardise the BSA.
We carry out our work with care, diligence and skill.
We give proper consideration to matters and seek and consider all relevant information.
Acting lawfully
We understand and act in accordance with all statutory and administrative requirements relevant to our roles.
We play a full and active role in the work of the board and fulfil all our duties responsibly. We respect the principle of collective decision-making and corporate responsibility. This means once the board has made a decision, we support it. We follow board protocols for public comment.
We identify, disclose, manage and regularly review all interests.
We become familiar with, and follow, all conflicts of interest requirements, including those of the board, the entity, and all statutory and professional requirements including the Crown Entities Act 2004, sections 62-72.
Past Board Members
Chairperson
Judge Bill Hastings
2018 – 2021
Peter Radich
2010 – 2018
Joanne Morris
2003 – 2009
Peter Cartwright
2000 – 2003
Sam Maling
1997 – 2000
Judith Potter
1995 – 1997
Iain Gallaway
1989 – 1995
Member appointed after consultation with broadcasters
Leigh Pearson
2010 – 2017 and 2020 – 2021
Wendy Palmer
2018 – 2019
Paul France
2003 – 2009
Rodney Bryant
2000 – 2003
Joan Withers
1997 – 2000
Allan Martin
1996 – 1997
Member appointed after consultation with community
Paula Rose
2015 – 2021
Mary Anne Shanahan
2009 – 2015
Diane Musgrave
2003 – 2009
Bronwyn Hayward
2000 – 2002
Lyn Loates
1994 – 2000
General members
Susie Staley
2018 –
Te Raumawhitu (Te Rau) Kupenga
2010 – 2018
Tapu Misa
2002 – 2011
Judy McGregor
2000 – 2003
Rosemary McLeod
1995 – 2001
Bill Fraser
1994 – 1995
Lindsay Dawson
1991 – 1994
Rosemary Barrowclough
1991 – 1994
Joanne Morris
1989 – 1995
Jan Hardie
1989 – 1991
Jocelyn Fish
1989 – 1991
Staff
As well as supporting the members in their decision-making and governance functions, the BSA staff carry out the various other functions of the BSA, such as research, communications and engagement with broadcasters, the public and stakeholders.
Staff Members
Chief Executive Stacey joined the BSA in September 2022. Stacey studied Law and English at Otago University and journalism at Massey University in Wellington. She worked as a reporter for the Dominion Post for several years before joining the legal profession, first in intellectual property law before going in-house. Before joining the BSA Stacey was a General Manager at Te Ao Rangahau Engineering New Zealand, overseeing the organisation’s legal, policy, public affairs and governance functions.
As Legal Manager Helen oversees the Legal Team, contributes to the strategic direction and organisational performance of the BSA, and is responsible for the BSA’s research activities. Helen has an LLB (Hons) degree from Victoria University of Wellington and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St Louis, USA. Before joining BSA, she was Manager Legal Services & Company Secretary at Airways New Zealand and worked at two major NZ law firms.
Patricia has been with the BSA for many years, first as a Legal Advisor fresh out of the University of Otago (LLB/BA (Hons) Film & Media Studies) and later Legal Manager from 2011. She was awarded ILANZ Public Sector In-House Lawyer of the Year 2018, before going on parental leave. She now works for BSA as Principal Legal Advisor part-time, remotely from South Canterbury where she lives with her partner and two young children.
Samantha joined the BSA in September 2021. In her role as legal advisor, she advises the BSA on complaints, assists in preparing decisions and is also engaged in a range of strategic projects. Samantha has a double degree in Law and Arts (Media Studies and French) from Victoria University. Before joining the BSA, she worked in legal roles at the Medical Council of New Zealand and the Office of the Ombudsman.
Omar joined the BSA as a legal advisor in October 2021. In this role, he advises the Authority on complaints and assists in preparing decisions as well as supporting a variety of strategic projects. Before joining the team, Omar was a litigation solicitor at Russell McVeagh. Alongside work, he volunteers at Community Law Wellington and Hutt Valley, at law student competitions and supports his rainbow community where he can.
As legal advisor, John advises the BSA on complaints, helps to prepare decisions and is also involved in a variety of strategic projects. He joined the BSA in October 2021, having previously worked in the Corporate Advisory team at Russell McVeagh and before that taking a gap year teaching English in Hanoi. John has degrees in Law and Arts from Victoria University of Wellington.
Legal advisor Maia Boonen joined the BSA in April 2022, after spending the previous two years working in human rights litigation. Before that she was involved in complaints resolution at the Financial Services Complaints Service. In her BSA role, Maia is part of the team that prepares decisions and she also supports various strategic projects. She has a conjoint Laws and Arts degree.
Pete joined the BSA in May 2021. He has lead responsibility for the BSA’s communications and engagement activities. A former journalist, Pete has previously undertaken media, communications and multi-channel content roles for a wide range of major public and private sector organisations, in New Zealand and the UK.
Rebecca is the BSA’s Executive Office Manager. In her role she provides support to the CE and legal team and oversees the day-to-day running of the office. Prior to the EOM role, we shared Rebecca with NZ on Air as our frontline contact person for visitors coming into the office and administrative support.