RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson confirmed staff had been sent memo outlining the proposed changes at the state-owned broadcaster on Tuesday.

Newsreaders and producers at Radio New Zealand are in the gun, with the national broadcaster planning to shed jobs in their push into digital.

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson confirmed staff had been sent memo outlining the proposed changes at the state-owned broadcaster on Tuesday.

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This included cutting the overall headcount at RNZ from 283 to 270 by July next year, with 20 jobs disestablished and seven new digital roles created.

"We are having to find some savings which is no surprise."

Jobs that are already being disestablished include the Head of Radio role, currently filled by John Howson, which was created less than 18 months ago. Veteran broadcaster Jim Sullivan, who hosts Sounds Historical on a Sunday night, will also be leaving by the end of the year.

Thompson would not specify who else had their jobs on the line but confirmed the proposal included cutting some newsreader, producer and administration roles within the radio group.

The job cuts were part of wider ongoing shake-up at the broadcaster, which has not had its funding increased in eight years. This included building RNZ's digital presence, particularly in Auckland, and several high-profile hires, such as John Campbell and Jesse Mulligan.