The Government has introduced legislation to Parliament today that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays.

Media Minister Paul Goldsmith said the change is designed to help local broadcasters navigate the challenging financial environment they are facing.

“Traditional media outlets are operating in an extremely difficult environment, and as the Government, we must ensure regulatory settings are enabling the best chance of success,” Goldsmith said.

The proposed changes could generate an estimated $6 million in additional revenue for the broadcasting industry, which Goldsmith said is critical in the current economic climate.

“These restrictions are no longer aligned with the ways in which audiences consume content. As technology and audiences continue to move away from traditional linear broadcasting, the restrictions are increasingly redundant,” he said.

The legislation aims to level the playing field for local broadcasters by removing advertising limitations that do not apply to digital streaming platforms, giving traditional media a fairer competitive edge.

“The New Zealand media sector has been calling for this change for a long time, and this Government is listening,” Goldsmith said.

The bill comes as traditional media outlets face significant challenges from declining advertising revenue and competition from digital platforms.