CAMA welcomes new leadership

The Community Access Media Alliance (CAMA) elected a new leadership team last week, following the retirement of two key executive members.

Free FM general manager Phil Grey will be leading CAMA’s executive as chair, with Radio Hawke’s Bay station manager Kelly Reid as vice chair. Plains FM station manager Nicki Reece has taken up the role of secretary, with all accounting duties covered thanks to the new treasurer, Lesley Paris, station manager at OAR FM.

The new executive replaces chair Jo Holsted and treasurer Christine McKechnie – both of Planet FM fame – who have led the charge since 2020.

Throughout their tenure, the dynamic duo oversaw significant changes, including increases in public funding and advocacy, sector-wide advertising and marketing campaigns, and the introduction of professional development services (with a focus on improving cultural competency) and a new resources repository via cama.nz.

In addition to celebrating 40 years of Community Access media at parliament in 2021, last year CAMA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Radio New Zealand and released its inaugural annual report and sector-wide snapshot.

Former chair Jo Holsted says since its inception more than 40 years ago, the sector has shown innovation and adaptability across a range of landscapes, from the technological to social and economic.

“It has been a privilege representing CAMA through some exciting changes, and I am delighted at the talent and passion that the incoming executive holds.”

Newly appointed chair Phil Grey says he’s proud of what the retiring executive has achieved since 2020, which has been “a challenging time for all media in this country”.

“We have our work cut out for us, but we plan to keep our Community Access sector alive, thriving and giving voice to the parts of our community other media cannot while facing funding challenges.”

CAMA is the industry body representing Aotearoa New Zealand’s twelve Community Access media entities and is supported by NZ On Air. Read more, and find your nearest partner station at cama.nz.