Media Minister Paul Goldsmith seeks to level the playing field.
New legislation that aims to repeal advertising restrictions on Sundays and public holidays has cleared its first hurdle in Parliament. Media Minister Paul Goldsmith introduced the change, stating it is necessary to ensure local media companies are not disadvantaged by restricted advertising times that don't apply to digital streaming platforms.
According to New Zealand on Air data, YouTube was the most popular platform this year, reaching 44% of the population daily. Industry estimates suggest the repeal could generate approximately $6 million annually, a significant revenue boost in the current tight financial context. The change is part of a broader package aimed at supporting New Zealand's media and content production sector.
Media Minister Goldsmith noted that New Zealand's media sector has been calling for this reform for some time, and the government is now taking action to address their concerns. The move comes as the government assesses its next steps on the proposed Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill.