Sports Editor

Te Tūranga –The opportunity 

This is an opportunity to work in New Zealand’s award-winning public media company and lead our key Sports team. RNZ aims to strengthen Aotearoa and the Pacific through informative, challenging and entertaining content.

Te Mahi – About the job

RNZ is New Zealand’s only non-commercial public multimedia organisation and exists to serve the public interest by providing unique, impartial services and content to all New Zealanders.

Part of RNZ’s strategy involves continuing to expand our digital audience, maintain our cornerstone public media position and connect with a growing and increasingly diverse audience.

In this role you will:

• Lead the Sports team, as well as cover your own stories from the sector.
  
• Research and cover stories from the Sports sector. You will be reporting for a Sports audience but also a General one with an interest in it. .
  
• Guide, support and assist reporters in covering the correct news angles for all items for broadcast and on-line.
• Conduct major interviews.
  
• Take part in the presentation of sports news on programmes such as "Morning Report", "Checkpoint" and "Midday Report" clearly explaining and analysing latest events. 
  
• Be able to anticipate and provide first class commentary and analysis on air and on the RNZ website of significant events as they occur.
  
• Provide advice to Programme Editors and the RNZ website on the best Sports coverage.
  
• Maintain strong relationships with newsroom staff and working collaboratively with the team.
  
• Foster and maintain a widespread network of contacts.
  
• Be a prominent part of developing our storytelling across radio and digital. Understand the strengths of each platform to engage audiences.  
  
• When required, be the face of Sports news for RNZ and its audience.
  
• Provide audio stories for bulletins and news programmes using your voice, editing and production skills.
  
• Provide good Web stories for our digital audience, using your good written skills.
  
• Accomplish high quality work within deadlines and according to RNZ editorial policy and standards.
  

Ōu Pūkenga - About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A proven track record in News leadership
  
• A focus on developing staff through goal-setting, one-on-one discussions and regular catch-ups
  
• A relevant qualification in journalism or equivalent and relevant work experience.
  
• Strong interest and knowledge in Sports, as well as significant experience in Sports journalism. 
  
• Web writing skills, and the ability to produce content which works across multiple platforms.
  
• Radio skills – including sub-editing and presentation.
  
• Live-to-air skills including the ability to answer questions and present on air.
  
• Ability to produce packaging including audio, sound (colour) and voice.

Ngā Hua: What we offer

• Join a supportive and inclusive team where your voice is valued
  
• Access regular training and professional development opportunities
  
• Competitive salary and your KiwiSaver contribution matched up to 4%
  
• Additional leave provisions for some roles and the option to buy extra leave.
  
• Comprehensive parental leave over and above standard legislation.
  
• Strong focus on work/life balance and wellbeing for our people including working from home initiatives where possible and access to confidential guidance and support.
  

Te Ahurea – Our Culture

At RNZ we are committed to fostering an inclusive and constructive culture. This means creating a place where our people feel like they belong and can do their best work. We do this through our attitudes; Be Bold, Better Every Day and Extend Manaakitanga. 

This is a full-time role based in Auckland or Wellington, but we are open to flexibility of location, where possible.

Applications close: Friday, 7th November 2025

To apply for this role please complete your application on our careers site, including your covering letter and a CV. If applying through Seek you will be able to view and download a copy of the job description for this role after clicking Apply. 

If you have any enquiries about this role, please get in touch with the RNZ Recruitment team on jobs@rnz.co.nz

RNZ is committed to the principles and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity and welcomes applicants reflecting New Zealand’s cultural and ethnic diversity.