Treasury asks for its own oversight of RNZ to be examined in loss review

Treasury has asked for its own oversight of Radio New Zealand (RNZ) to be examined as part of the independent review into the public broadcaster's almost $12 million loss, RNZ reported.

RNZ reported an $11.8 million loss for the year to June. It had expected a loss of $470,000 for that year.

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson said internal reports had given an inaccurate picture of the broadcaster's finances. He said the scale of the loss only became clear in October.

Treasury, the government's economic and financial adviser, confirmed that RNZ had given it incorrect figures. Treasury first learned of the errors on 4 October. The summary figures it had received gave no indication that RNZ would report an $11.8 million loss for the year to June.

RNZ had intended in August to cut 25 to 30 roles. Those cuts are now part of a new total of 58 roles.

Treasury said the plan to cut jobs and reduce spending was a matter for the RNZ board. It said it would advise ministers on the board's plan and check how RNZ carried it out.

The problems were uncovered by the audit firm EY while it was carrying out RNZ's annual audit, according to the Audit Office.