I hold Radio NZ in high regard, but they are under serious assault from the present government. They haven't had a funding rise in 7 years. They report too much truth for the Beehive's liking. We should bring back the broadcasting fee so the government of the day can't use funding to punish media that reveal "problems". 

That aside.....what are the local  NZ alternatives to the two foreign-owned media monopolies (by city) in NZ? Add some if I haven't mentioned them. 

This year I donated $1,000 to the Scoop Foundation for Public Interest Journalism. More info here - the Pledge Me campaign is now finished and was successful in raising over $50,000 - but the info on the page is great for background.  

I also subscribe to Bernard Hickey's "Hive News". It's a daily newsletter about matters political and economic. $29.95 / month.  If we want better news then we are going to have to pay for it. If more of us do it, then it will either get better or cheaper or both.

There is no other way.

I refuse to subscribe to the Herald. I don't pay for propaganda. Same goes for that Internet bin-liner Stuff.co.nz and their newspapers.