Peter Williams: Another Biased Judge

We first heard the term “judicial activism” in 1987. Justice Robin Cooke, in his opinion for New Zealand Maori Council v Attorney-General, said the Treaty of Waitangi was “akin to a partnership.” It is one of the most famous lines in this country’s jurisprudence and was the first enunciation of the concept of partnership as a principle of the Treaty.

Philip Crump: NZME Shareholder Meeting - RNZ Corrects the Record

After a two hour shareholder meeting, NZME has a refreshed Board which includes the newly elected Steven Joyce and Jim Grenon.

After months of uncertainty, NZME’s annual shareholder meeting took place yesterday afternoon at its Auckland offices, in the appropriately named iHeart Lounge.

The Herald’s Shayne Currie described the meeting as ‘chilled out’ due to the icy room temperature but it was an equally good description for the lively, good natured and relaxed discussion observed by an audience of approximately 50 shareholders. Notable attendees included former proprietor Michael Horton, Australian media commentator and investor Roger Colman and Hobson’s Pledge leader, Don Brash.

JC: Jim Grenon Hails Positive Changes at NZME

There have been some ructions in Canada of late – the Canadian election and Trump wanting to mastermind a takeover of the country. Some see these recent events as something of a bad omen. At the same time there’s been a Canadian causing some ructions here, but in a way that is a good omen. This gentleman chose New Zealand as a place to reside and we have every reason to be glad he did.

Philip Crump: NZME’s New Chapter and the Six Challenges Undermining Media Trust

After months of negotiation, the path forward for NZME is now clear.

After two months of horse trading, the major institutional shareholders of NZME have reached a consensus on the composition of the new Board and the implementation of key initiatives.

Subject to shareholder approval, the agreement will see Steven Joyce join the Board as the proposed Chair, alongside Jim Grenon and existing directors Carol Campbell, Guy Horrocks, and Sussan Turner. Campbell will remain on the Board until a replacement director with audit expertise is identified, and Bowen Pan will join to provide technology expertise.

John McLean: Honesty

One distinct oddity in our strange world is that the darkest actors are often the more honest.

So when Russian President Vladimir Putin announced (late in 2021) his intention for Russia to invade Ukraine, outsiders should have taken him at his word. And when Chlöe Swarbrick chants “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free”, we should harbor no doubt that Chlöe sincerely wants to see an end to the State of Israel.

Philip Crump: NZME’s Future - Fresh Governance, Shareholder Value, and Balanced News

As many of you know, I’m one of Jim Grenon’s nominees to form part of a refreshed NZME Board. Since our nominations became public on March 6, much of the media commentary has focused on speculation around Jim’s motivations and intentions for the company, and in particular, what this might mean for the editorial direction of the New Zealand Herald.

Peter Williams: Trust in the Media is still dropping

Would ownership or management changes make a difference?

Only five short years ago over half of us said we trusted the media. That was 2020 in what was the first of the now annual AUT Journalism, Media and Democracy Centre surveys.

The baseline number that year was 53 percent, hardly a glowing endorsement of the country’s news industry.

John McLean: NZME, Oh Me Oh My

NZME Limited is a New Zealand media company that’s publicly listed on NZX, New Zealand’s securities exchange.

NZME publishes several newspapers, including The Herald, and runs multiple radio stations, the most prominent being Newstalk ZB. Curiously, NZME also owns OneRoof, a website for people wanting to buy or sell real estate.

Professor Robert MacCulloch: The NZ Herald's Board Should Be Fired.....

The NZ Herald's Board Should Be Fired. Yes, it does have "editorial independence": the editor & staff are free to write biased nonsense.

The NZ Herald's owner, NZME, has expressed "grave concerns" about a potential takeover being mounted by a chap called Jim Grenon. Is the owner concerned that a takeover may end its outrageous bias?

Simon O'Connor: They doth protest too much

As readers will know, there is a move afoot to replace the board of NZME by various shareholders, led by a Jim Grenon.

While I support the change, my thoughts below reflect on the howls of protest and the rather hypocritical positions being taken.

Dieuwe de Boer: One Rogue Billionaire Could Fix NZ

I've long said that New Zealand could be fixed by one rogue billionaire and a dozen men. A handful of millionaires working together could manage it too. The 9% stake that Jim Grenon bought in NZME to initiate a hostile takeover against the board is a small glimpse into that possible future.

True reform in New Zealand is possible, but I identify three key blockers. Unimaginative politicians. Hostile progressive mainstream media. Hostile progressive bureaucracy.

Peter Williams: A Media Coup

It is one of the most significant moves in the history of the New Zealand media. In time it may be seen as one of the most important manoeuvres in our recent social history.

Ex-pat Canadian businessman Jim Grenon has bought just under ten percent of New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) and now says he has the support of enough other shareholders to force a complete replacement of the company’s board.