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Industry supporting broadcasting internships to continue

13 May, 2020

While the effect of COVID-19 on New Zealand’s economy has hit the media industry hard, students of Ara’s New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) have largely been able to continue their internship placements, with the support of media organisations from across the country.

Of the 65 Bachelor of Broadcasting students on 24-week long internships only three have been disrupted, and they may yet resume.

This is great news for the New Zealand Broadcasting School says Manager Tony Simons,
“All of us at NZBS are very thankful for and encouraged by the generous support from our media partners. These companies have also provided limited financial assistance to interns when they were not able to claim help from the government. It shows New Zealand media companies recognise how valuable their relationship with the NZBS is, and how important it is to nurture today's raw talent for the time when the industry will recover.”

Third-year student Matt Pledger, who specializes in Radio Broadcasting through NZBS, has found his internship to be an invaluable experience. His placement began over the summer with More FM, learning from the pros about announcing and promotions.

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Matt Pledger

"I drove thousands of kilometres around the Peninsula and spent over 300 hours behind the mic. It was an incredible insight into how a local radio station operates in peak season.”

Then Pledger moved to Auckland for his new internship role as a More FM Operations Assistant.
“I even attended the More FM / Breeze Bootcamp - which was quite a surreal time. Every single person there was either a Breakfast Host for More FM / Breeze or a Programmer!”

During the lockdown Pledger has continued to work in the industry, being called upon for traffic reports for several Mediaworks breakfast shows and the highlight was getting to host a national show!

“I get regular catch-ups with the boss with lots of feedback. On Good Friday and Easter Monday, I even hosted the More FM National Breakfast show."

Students on NZBS internships are working with 25 different media companies around New Zealand including MediaWorks and Newshub, TVNZ, NZME, Sky TV and RNZ.