Te Kura Pāpaho o Aotearoa

New Zealand Broadcasting School

Give yourself the best start to a career in audio and visual storytelling, media business and production

Consumption of news, entertainment and social content has never been greater. If you aspire to work in front of the mic or behind the scenes, the New Zealand Broadcasting School (NZBS) is the place to study. It’s recognised as the premier national provider of applied education in broadcast journalism, television, film, digital media and radio performance and production in New Zealand.

Our programmes are hands-on and totally focused on career outcomes. You’ll benefit from studying in small classes with access to a wide range of broadcasting communication facilities and expertise. You’ll develop an ability to think broadly and critically about the media and the implications of new technologies and you’ll have opportunities to gain real-world experience.

The New Zealand Broadcasting School is located at our Madras Street Campus in Christchurch.

Subjects

The New Zealand Broadcasting School offers three specialisations: journalism, radio, and screen production.

Facilities and resources

The New Zealand Broadcasting School houses advanced resources including the second largest TV production studio in the South Island, live-to-air radio studios, and comprehensive software suites from Adobe, Apple, Avid, RCS and many more.

Our digital cameras, field kits, sound recording gear and TV studio production and post production equipment match and, in some cases, better current industry standards.

Industry and community

Employers seek our graduates knowing they are ready to contribute their creative energy, enthusiasm and ideas from day one.

Along with valuable work experience and intern opportunities, Ara's industry partnerships ensure we respond quickly to marketplace demands and provide the skills and qualifications employers tell us they need you to have right now.

During your study, a range of professionals are invited in to share their expertise and experience, and provide insight into the current state of the industry in New Zealand. Industry professionals are also consulted regularly about programme content, resourcing and delivery.

Disability Statement

If you think you may require modifications in order to undertake the practical components of a particular course of study, we encourage you to discuss these with us so we can give them careful consideration.

As it may take time to consider and implement any modifications, please contact disability@ara.ac.nz as early as possible prior to the course starting. We’ll also need to check that there’s no risk of harm to you or anyone else before making a final decision.

Throughout this process we’ll communicate with you in a clear and timely manner.

Creating a safe space for learning

Some of the content of this programme may pertain to current real-world issues that could evoke strong feelings or impact on the wellbeing and academic performance of learners who have experienced corresponding traumas in their own lives.

Performers / Broadcasters entertain, inform, engage, and create empathy with their audiences. These interactions bring forth discussion, can foster creative solution development and, most importantly, stimulate the creation of change in the world. This could mean drawing attention to and facilitating dialogue about topics that can be difficult, such as sexuality, gender, abuse, cultural appropriation, or racism.

We recognise that our learners bring with them diverse lived experiences. It is our role to create a safe environment for learning to allow for real emotions to come to the surface, and for students to feel well informed and well supported in the process.

Some of our strategies for supporting learners to engage with difficult content include:

Providing trigger warnings that allow learners to prepare emotionally for the content or propose alternative content or an alternative learning activity.
Providing resiliency or intimacy training as required
Providing access to wellbeing and counselling support services

It is difficult to anticipate all the topics that might be potentially triggering for learners, and therefore we encourage learners who are experiencing an emotional reaction to content to talk with their tutor or utilise Ara’s support networks.