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This biographical information is as provided at the time of the conference, November 2003.
Bob Collins was Director-General of RTÉ from April 1997 until October 2003. He joined RTÉ in 1975 as secretary to the Authority and has been involved at a senior editorial level since 1980. He was appointed Director of Television Programmes in 1986, Director of Corporate Affairs in 1993 and progressed to the position of Assistant Director-General in March 1995. Bob Collins has been actively involved in European Broadcasting Union affairs, for some time chairing its Television Committee. He was Chairman of the Celtic Film and Television Association from 1991 to 1994, and a member of the interim Authority for the Irish language television service Teilifís na Gaeilge (now TG4).
Greg Dyke became Director-General of the BBC in January 2000, having joined the previous year as Deputy Director-General and Director-General designate. He has also been Chairman of the Independent Television Association (1992-94); Chairman of GMTV (1993-94); and at various times a director of Pearson plc, Channel 4 Television, ITN and BSkyB. He was a non-Executive Director of Manchester United Football Club (1997-99) and has been a Trustee of the Science Museum since 1996. He became a Fellow of the Royal Television Society in 1998 and a Fellow of the National Film and Television School in 2002. Since joining the BBC, Greg Dyke has reorganised its structure with the twin aims of putting him closer to programme-makers and of spending more of the BBC's income on programmes and services for audiences and less on running the organisation. He has also made major commitments to use digital technology to provide new education opportunities and to improve the cultural diversity of the workforce and BBC programmes. See more information on the BBC website.
Tim Gardam is Director of Television at Channel 4 where he has, since 1998, been responsible for the content scheduling and performance of Channel 4, achieving its highest ever peak time share. He is also responsible for the editorial content of E4. Prior to this, Tim was at Channel 5, where he had been Controller of News, Current Affairs and Documentaries. Before joining Channel 5, Tim worked for nearly twenty years at the BBC, joining in 1977 as a trainee researcher. At the BBC he has worked as Editor of Panorama and Newsnight, and Bi-Media Head of Weekly Programmes for the BBC News and Current Affairs department. He has announced he is leaving Channel 4 after five years at the end of 2003.
Michael Jackson is Chairman of Universal Television Group (UTG), a division of Vivendi Universal Entertainment, overseeing the development, production, syndication, sales, and distribution of television properties within the formerly named USA Entertainment and Universal Studios Groups. Universal Television Group is comprised of cable networks, production studios, distribution companies, international television companies and networks, and pay-per-view television distribution. Prior to joining Universal, Mr. Jackson served as Chief Executive of Channel 4 Television in the United Kingdom, following a career with the BBC which saw him named in 1993 as Controller of BBC2, and as head of BBC1 in 1996 as well as becoming BBC's Director of Television.
Steve Maharey is the Minister of Broadcasting. See more information on the executive government website.
Terri Byrne is Broadcast Manager of Auckland’s Access radio service, Planet FM. Beginning her broadcasting career with Radio Hauraki shortly after it began shore-based operations, Terri has always had ambitions for the direct voice in media. A career in broadcasting, along with award-winning creative roles in advertising agencies, as a producer in film production and an associate editor on a glossy magazine, has given her multi-media skills. With 32 years media experience, Terri has consulted on communications strategies and systems and worked as a writer and producer for 18 years, including 12 years guiding the development of Access radio services in Auckland.
Tom Conroy, Managing Director Southland TV, gave up a senior management career with a multinational oil company to pursue a lifetime passion of making local television programmes. At the inception of Mercury Television 7 years ago Tom came on board as a sports commentator and presenter and in the ensuing years, took on the responsibility for production before accepting the management reins in 2001. A year later he purchased the company outright. Since taking over Tom has implemented a number of radical plans to pave the way forward in the areas of programming, operations and financial security. On September 1 this year, Mercury Television became Southland TV and launched on the SKY Digital Network as the first regional station to broadcast on a national platform. Tom is also in demand as a public speaker, continues to enjoy direct involvement in the stations on-screen presentation in the sports arena and can also be heard among the commentary team for SKY Sport during the NPC season. By applying this blend of media, performing and management experience he has been able to oversee the development of the station from a day-to-day survivor to a company with a long-term plan as a nationally competitive broadcaster with a unique product, without compromising the core purpose of serving the community of Southland. Tom has a very innovative and forthright view on the important role regional television plays in the broadcasting mix and how vital it is for this sector to flourish for the betterment of the industry.
Sharon Crosbie has been Chief Executive of Radio New Zealand since 1995. Her career in broadcasting began when she joined Christchurch station 3ZB as an announcer in 1969. From 1978-84 she hosted the 9.00 am - midday slot on National Radio. In 1984 Ms Crosbie was awarded a Harkness Fellowship and a Neiman Fellowship in Journalism at Harvard University, and worked at the New York Times, the Council for Foreign Relations in New York, and for Senator Alan Simpson (R) Wyoming, in Washington D.C. On her return she became the Corporate Director of Public Affairs for the then Broadcasting Corporation of New Zealand and then worked as a feature and editorial writer for the Dominion newspaper. In 1989 Ms Crosbie worked as a top rating talkback host on Wellington's 2ZB and in May of 1992 she returned to National Radio as the host of the "Nine to Noon" programme. She was appointed General Manager, National Radio in February 1993, and General Manager, New Zealand Public Radio in April 1994. In 1990 Ms Crosbie was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting. She has also been Chairperson of the New Zealand Drama School, a 1990 Commissioner, a member of the New Zealand Japan Foundation, a member of the Women's Refuge Foundation Trust Board and she was Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Core Health Services.
Ian Fraser OBE is Chief Executive of TVNZ. He began his role at TVNZ in April 2002 after a lengthy and distinguished career as a journalist and broadcast presenter. Prior to his role as as Chief Executive Officer at TVNZ he was the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra from 1998 to 2002. His broadcasting experience spanned throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s and included presenting NZBC's radio programme Checkpoint along with television shows Fraser, Showcase, Nationwide, Seven Days and Newsmakers amongst others. Ian took a break from broadcasting in the the 80s to pursue public relations work at Consultus (NZ) Ltd where he was appointed Chairman. He shortly after accepted the role of New Zealand Commissioner General and Executive Director of the New Zealand project at Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia and Expo 92 in Seville, Spain.
Hone Harawira is descended from the many tribes of Ngapuhi Nui Tonu. Hone has had a long and varied involvement in Maori broadcasting, including positions on Te Mangai Paho from 1992-94, and the Government's Maori Broadcasting Advisory Committee, who presented their report on the status of Maori Broadcasting in 2000. He is also a member of the Reference Groups charged with the responsibility for developing Government's Maori Language and Maori Broadcasting Strategies. Hone is also the current Chairman of Whakaruruhau, the National Federation of Maori Radio Stations, and Chairman of the Maori Television Electoral College, Te Putahi Paoho.
Hone is employed as CEO of Te Reo Irirangi o Te Hiku o Te Ika in Kaitaia, responsible for developing and overseeing the Society's three radio stations – Tehiku, Sunshine, and Tai FM – launched to “promote Maori Language and Culture” to Maori, Non-Maori, and to youth in the Far North. He is currently driving the Society's launch of Tehiku TV, a regional Maori television station, and hopes to have the station on air within the next three months. Hone is also active Chairman of Te Rangi Aniwaniwa, a Maori language immersion education centre which includes Kohanga, Kura, Wharekura, and Wananga, where Maori Broadcasting is being introduced as a core subject to the senior secondary school level.
Brent Impey is Chief Executive Officer of Canwest New Zealand. Brent is a lawyer by training, and has had a long and successful career in New Zealand media. He was appointed Chief Executive of the MORE FM radio network in June 1998, and in 2000 was named Chief Executive of CanWest New Zealand, responsible for all CanWest’s television and radio interests in New Zealand – TV3 and TV4, RadioWorks and MORE FM. Brent resides in Auckland with his wife and three children, and is actively involved in his other passions – rugby, yachting, and community services including Chairman of the Fred Hollows Foundation.
As Chief Executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage Martin is responsible to the Minister and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, the Minister of Broadcasting and the Minister for Sport and Recreation. Martin has held the position since 1998. Martin has overseen an expansion of the Ministry’s responsibilities and size over the last three years with the additional focus given to Culture and Heritage under the current government.
Martin has led the government’s policy development in broadcasting since 2000. In this capacity he has co-ordinated the advice from the various government Ministries and departments with broadcasting responsibilities and interests.
Martin was previously an Assistant Auditor-General. Prior to taking up his current position, he was responsible for the Audit Office’s state sector-related work, and had extensive involvement in various aspects of the reform of the State Sector in the late 1980s and 1990s.
After seven years as Executive Producer of TVNZ's Children's Unit, Janine has spent over 16 years making children's programmes. Based in Christchurch, Janine has formed her own production company, Whitebait Productions, which has produced 300 episodes of the pre-school series Bumble, two series of jessie.com for WNTV which has been sold to Disney Australia, and English programmes for Japan. She has now successfully produced four series of the interactive pop talent quest wannabes for TV3 and is currently finishing the first series of Tuhono, a youth hip-hop show for the Maori Television.
Leatigagaeono Simativa Perese is Chair of the National Pacific Radio Trust. Simativa brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the position as Chair of the National Pacific Radio Trust, and is well known within Pacific communities throughout the country. He holds the Samoan matai title of Leatigagaeono. Simativa is a barrister specialising in civil and commercial litigation and youth justice advocacy, a member of the Auckland Crown Solicitors prosecution panel, the Auckland Regional Council's prosecution panel as well as president of the Pacific Lawyers Association. Simativa is also District Inspector – Mental Health and a member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal, and he is also a member of the Minister of Pacific Island Affairs Advisory Council. Simativa has had extensive broadcasting experience in practical and advisory capacities and was employed as an announcer with both Radio New Zealand and Television New Zealand for 11 years, and as a senior contract announcer for Wellington 2ZB and ZMFM. He also assisted in the establishment of Samoa Capital Radio in Wellington. He was a Harkness Fellow in 1995, which is awarded to people who show potential for leadership in their fields and communities. Since then Simativa has demonstrated leadership both in his professional field and in issues pertaining to Pacific communities. He has an LLM from Columbia University and has been awarded a Certificate of Recognition of Achievement with Honours in International and Foreign Law. Simativa is Samoan and is based in Auckland.
Leonie Pihama (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Māhanga) is Director of International Research for Maori and Indigenous Education (IRI) at the University of Auckland. She is also a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Auckland and a Director of Moko Productions. She has three children.
Hugh Rennie is a Queens Counsel. Between 1984 and 1988 he was Chair of the BCNZ; and he chaired the Ministerial committee in relation to the restructuring of that corporation into TVNZ, RNZ and other businesses.
His other media interests included board positions on newspaper, magazine and book publishing comapnanies. In his earlier years he contributed to or edited print publications. His recent legal work has included BSA complaints and standards cases, advice to a number of radio and television broadcasters, and defamation and copyright work. Between 1999 and 2003 he was Chair, Royal NZ Ballet and he has held positions with other arts and community organisations.
Michael Stedman, Managing Director, Natural History New Zealand Ltd www.nhnz.tv has worked in the television industry for over 30 years. He has extensive experience in television production, international co-production, industry training and senior management, and has produced more than one thousand programmes. Previous roles include Head of Features at ABC Australia, Head of Training at the Australian Film and Television School and Head of Production at Television New Zealand. In 1991 Michael took over the role as Managing Director for Natural History New Zealand, increasing its output by 300% in only 18months. Since then he has guided the company through unprecedented growth to become one of the world's largest production companies of this type. In the last five years the company has spread its wings to embrace new genres including science, travel, medicine, adventure and history programming.
Ian is the Managing Director of Taylor-Made Media and Animation Research. He has been involved in television and the media for over 30 years as a musician, director and presenter.
Taylor Made-Media is a full multi-media company working in web design, CD Rom production, print and photography, as well as television. Animation Research has led developments in 3D computer animation, including real time sport. In 2001 Animation Research was part of a consortium that purchased Terralink (now Terralink International).
Manu Taylor has been extensively involved in various aspects of the New Zealand music and entertainment industry over the past 18 years – as a retailer, a radio programmer, record company executive and label owner. He currently runs a music and youth marketing consultancy and is Programme Director of Mai FM, the top rating radio station in Auckland, Whangarei and Rotorua.
Jo Tyndall took up position as Chief Executive, NZ On Air, in January 1999, with overall responsibility for the management of NZ On Air, including the provision of strategic and funding allocation advice to the Board. From January 1997 to December 1998 Jo was Executive Director of the Screen Producers’ and Directors’ Association (SPADA). She was responsible for growing the organisation from a part-time office to a full-time operation with four full-time employees. For three years from early 1994 to January 1997, Jo was Executive Director of Project Blue Sky – a film and TV industry export group. She set up Project Blue Sky from scratch, and worked on a number of initiatives (including a successful High Court Challenge in Australia, opening the way for access to the Australian television market for New Zealand programmes) to overcome the key roadblocks to the growth of the industry in New Zealand. Prior to that, she had taken two years out of the paid workforce to be with her two (very young!) children, doing some consulting work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade (MFAT) and for South Pacific Pictures Ltd. From 1987 to December 1991, she was posted with MFAT to Geneva and was one of New Zealand’s team of negotiators in the WTO Uruguay Round. Her main responsibility was for the negotiations on the new General Agreements on Trade in Services (GATS), which obviously included the audio-visual sector.
Jane Wrightson is the Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Standards Authority. She has had more than 20 years experience in the broadcasting industry and screen sector, including positions as Chief Executive of the Screen Production and Development Association, Deputy Chief Executive of New Zealand on Air, the Chief Film Censor, and the Commissioning Editor for Television New Zealand.
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Last updated 4 November 2003.