Full Breakdown
Jason Winstanley appointed chief executive of Radio New Zealand
By Drooid · · How we work
Appointment details
Radio New Zealand (RNZ) announced that Jason Winstanley will assume the chief-executive role next year, succeeding Paul Thompson, who is set to depart in December after more than 13 years at the helm. The board confirmed the decision after an open recruitment process that began earlier in the year, with a shortlist of two to three candidates filtered by a sub-committee of board members.
Career background and RNZ search
Winstanley has spent 26 years with NZME and its predecessor companies, rising from a presentation coordinator at Classic Hits to chief audio officer in 2021. In that capacity he oversaw Newstalk ZB, ZM, The Hits and the iHeartRadio podcast network, driving record audience growth and winning six consecutive station-of-the-year awards. His tenure is noted for securing long-term contracts with high-profile presenters such as Mike Hosking, Heather Du Plessis-Allan and Ryan Bridge.
The RNZ board, chaired by Brent Impey, advertised the chief-executive vacancy and evaluated a “very strong” field that included RNZ board member Andrew Szusterman, Banking Association chief Roger Beaumont, former TVNZ executives Brent McAnulty and Nadia Tolich, former RNZ news boss Richard Sutherland, Stuff Publishing managing director Joanna Norris and former MediaWorks executive Ciara McGuigan. Impey emphasized that the board seeks a leader with media expertise and the ability to navigate technological transformation. The appointment also separates the chief-executive role from the editor-in-chief position, with chief news officer Mark Stevens slated to assume editorial responsibilities.
Official statements & responses
NZME chief executive Michael Boggs praised Winstanley’s two-decade contribution to NZME’s audio business and expressed confidence that the move represents a “big opportunity” for Winstanley and a testament to the respect he has earned across the industry.
Verbatim quotes
- “Jason has made an outstanding contribution to NZME over more than two decades, with his leadership helping shape the strong audio business we have today. We thank Jason for everything he has contributed at NZME and we wish him all the very best in his new role.” — Michael Boggs, NZME chief
- “Many of you will have worked closely with Jason and will know how hard-working he is, and the huge passion he has for all things audio. While we are sad to see him go, moving into a CEO role is a big opportunity for Jason and a reflection of the respect he has earned across the industry.” — Michael Boggs, NZME chief