Media Minister Paul Goldsmith has appointed Brent Impey as the new chair of RNZ, alongside two new governors Paula Browning and Richard Dellabarca.
The appointments run for three years and follow the departure of Dr Jim Mather after three terms on the board, along with outgoing governors Jane Wrightson and Irene Gardiner. Impey had served as a board governor since 1 September 2024.
Goldsmith said Impey's "decisive and transparent leadership style, deep media sector experience and commitment to journalistic independence will be valuable in guiding RNZ into the future". Impey's media career has included board roles at the Television Broadcasters Council, Advertising Standards Authority and Radio Broadcasters Association.
Impey said "the New Zealand media sector is under stress and that makes a high performing RNZ more important than ever". He said "alongside safeguarding editorial independence, I'll be advocating for robust audience and performance measurement, continuing to build RNZ's live listening and digital audiences and ensuring that RNZ continues to demonstrate increased value and relevance for all New Zealanders".
Browning is part-time executive director of WeCreate Inc and deputy chair of the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Board. Dellabarca is a chartered accountant with a Bachelor of Laws degree, currently chair of Epic Char and a director on the Drive Electric Board.