The government still expects to deliver the entire $38million boost in funding for public broadcasting promised by Labour prior to the election, says the Broadcasting Minister.
Last week's Budget announced just $15m and it has not yet been decided how the money will be spent.
Labour's policy promised expanding RNZ's multi-media services, including providing a free-to-air TV channel, at a cost of $38m.
Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran told Mediawatch all ministers had to cut back on their spending given financial constraints.
The full policy will still be implemented, she insisted.
"There is a very strong expectation on me to come back with the right level of funding that is required, and I will have the resources to do that," she said.
"We didn't have the resources to do everything at once, but we have given a commitment to deliver on our promises."
People will see improved public broadcasting by the end the year, Ms Curran said.
RNZ's chief executive Paul Thompson [told Mediawatch https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/201864522... he was not disappointed.
"I am a realist. There are other pressures on government money. The $15m allocation is still a significant investment for this sector and if we get a good share of that it will be significant for RNZ," he said.
An advisory group set up by Ms Curran has yet to make recommendations as to how the additional $15m will be split between RNZ and New Zealand On Air (NZOA), which allocates public money to a range of media platforms on a contestable basis.
RNZ and NZ On Air pitched proposals for the funding to an advisory group on 3 April.
