Independent not-for-profit Media Chaplaincy NZ is today launching its inaugural Aotearoa Media Wellbeing (AMW) Survey, as it celebrates a decade of offering free and confidential support to New Zealand’s media industry.

The survey, which seeks to better understand the experiences of media professionals across the country, asks participants about work pressures, job satisfaction, their workplace culture & support structures, and how they maintain work-life balance & cope with career challenges.

The AMW Survey is now live and can be accessed here.

The results of Media Chaplaincy’s AMW Survey will provide a much-needed snapshot of the state of the industry following several years of significant change that has included the closure of media companies, hundreds of lost jobs, and rapid transformation as organisations pivot to meet audiences where they are.

Malorie Carey, interim General Manager of Media Chaplaincy, says it’s hoped the AMW survey will provide a blueprint to media chaplains and media organisations alike for how to best offer support to all those in the industry.

“We hear a lot anecdotally from those we meet about what they love about working in media, what they find difficult about it, and the types of support they’re getting – or not getting – amidst it all,” says Carey.

“The Aotearoa Media Wellbeing Survey is an effort to put some solid data around some of those stories – to get a sense of what’s working as intended, where the greatest needs are, and how we can best support our media industry to be vibrant, healthy and flourishing.”

Lead Chaplain Rev Frank Ritchie, who founded Media Chaplaincy in 2015, says those working in media have made it clear over the last decade that while they have passion and drive for the work they do, the industry has become an increasingly challenging place to be.

“The Aotearoa Media Wellbeing Survey gives us a chance to peek under the hood at the wellbeing of the entire sector, to get a sense of what is and isn’t working, and help shape initiatives that support a healthy and sustainable industry,” says Rev Ritchie.

“Our team of chaplains has provided a listening ear and much-needed support to thousands of people working in New Zealand’s media over the last 10 years. Each year, the number of requests for our services has increased – and a couple of years ago, we expanded our team to better deal with the level of need we were experiencing.

“It’s heartening that media professionals are reaching out for help – and that Media Chaplaincy has become a place for them to turn to – but ultimately, the increase in demand may indicate that all is not well in the industry.”

Rev Ritchie says it’s fitting that Media Chaplaincy releases the AMW Survey on its 10-year anniversary, given it was founded on the belief that the wellbeing of the people within New Zealand’s media is central to the good of what gets produced and consumed.

“In the fast-paced and changing nature of the modern media environment, achieving balance and a sense of wellbeing can be difficult. For this reason, we’ve always sought to provide confidential support and encouragement to all media personnel at no cost,” Rev Ritchie says.

Media Chaplaincy is run by people with a connection to, and a love for, the media landscape, Rev Ritchie says.

“Our chaplains are trained in chaplaincy and have experience working in the media. We’re people who understand the pressures of the industry and have a desire to see those within it thrive.”

The Aotearoa Media Wellbeing Survey will run until next month, with the results released publicly thereafter.

All those who take part in the AMW Survey go in the draw to win one of five $100 Prezzy gift cards.

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