Statement of Performance Expectations 2027
This Statement of Performance Expectations (SPE) sets out our proposed performance targets and forecast financial information for the year ahead. It is produced in accordance with section 149E of the Crown Entities Act 2004 and should be read together with our Statement of Intent 2023-2027 (SOI).
The forecast financial statements and underlying assumptions in this document have been authorised as appropriate for issue by the board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority in accordance with its role under the Crown Entities Act 2004. It is not intended to update the forecast financial statements subsequent to presentation.
A copy of the full report for the year ending 30 June 2027 is available for download:
BSA Statement of Performance Expectations 2027
Introduction | Te Whakatakinga
This SPE sets out how we measure our performance, and reports on progress against our targets. Results against these and the longer-term goals set out in our SOI are reported in our Annual Report.
The year ahead
The coming year may see significant change to New Zealand’s media regulatory landscape, as the Broadcasting Standards Authority faces disestablishment.
The challenges we face in operating in an outdated regulatory environment are widely acknowledged, and we have called for regulatory reform for more than 15 years. In the last 10 years various reform measures have been proposed to modernise the Broadcasting Act 1989 – or replace it with a more modern framework – but none have yet progressed.
In early 2025 the Government consulted on a range of proposals to reform media regulation, including a proposal for a new, platform-neutral, system for regulating professional media, and other measures designed to level the playing field for local content producers and distributors. It has not yet been announced whether any of the proposals will proceed. However, in May 2026, the Minister for Media and Communications announced Government had agreed to disestablish the Authority, with legislation to be drafted in the coming months.
The need for regulatory reform had been highlighted in 2025 when the Authority received its first formal complaint referral about an online broadcaster. In accordance with our position since 2020, the Authority considered whether the complaint fell within the jurisdiction set out by the Act and issued a provisional decision accepting jurisdiction. At the end of March 2026, the Authority issued its final decision on jurisdiction, confirming the Act does apply to some online broadcasters.
The Authority has said for many years that the current legislation is not fit for regulating the modern media landscape. Audience trends and expectations have changed and continue to evolve at speed. The regulatory framework is fragmented and creates an unlevel playing field – some media are subject to multiple standards frameworks while others are not subject to any. However, within our legislative remit and resources, the Authority still plays an important role in maintaining standards expected by the public. We will continue to provide our advice and input to Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, as it supports work to implement Government’s decision to abolish the Authority.
The financial challenges facing the sector continue. There are fewer journalists and media professionals, working in stretched newsrooms and studios, and there is less funding available for commissioning local content. A growing proportion of digital advertising revenue is going offshore to streaming and social media corporations, and local content platforms are competing against global heavyweights for subscribers. Broadcaster revenue has a flow-on effect for our levies, which partially fund our operations. Levies are set in our Act and apply only to entities with annual broadcasting revenue of over $500,000.
As an independent regulator, we are reliant on Government to decide what legislative solutions are most appropriate. In the meantime, we will continue to provide input based on our experience and expertise, accumulated over the last 37 years. Until legislative change is enacted, our focus remains on delivering our core functions to a high standard within our means and championing our vision for freedom of expression without harm. This will be challenging under the current economic outlook – like many organisations, we face increased costs of doing business. We will continue to find savings and value for money where we can, and rely on our reserves to mitigate decreases in revenue and additional costs.
A limited number of print copies are available. To enquire about a print copy, email: info@bsa.govt.nz