Media Releases

RNZ appoints Patrick Crewdson as Director of AI Strategy & Implementation

Released at 1:10 pm on 27 June 2025

27 June 2025

Experienced editorial leader Patrick Crewdson has been appointed RNZ’s first Director of AI Strategy & Implementation.

This pivotal role will oversee the integration of AI tools and ensure alignment with RNZ journalistic and ethical standards, while enhancing operational efficiency and audience engagement.

Crewdson has spent almost two decades at Stuff and its predecessor, Fairfax New Zealand, most recently as Head of Product Development, and previously in senior editorial roles including as Editor-in-Chief of Stuff.co.nz and Head of News for The Dominion Post.

RNZ Chief Performance Officer Glen Scanlon said it was this rare combination of technology experience alongside newsroom knowledge that saw Crewdson stand out in a highly competitive field.

“Patrick brings a great range of AI skills and knowledge. However, as importantly he understands the pressures of a newsroom and will be able to guide our adoption of AI in a way that follows our deeply held ethical and journalistic standards.”

Crewdson was named Editorial Executive of the Year in 2019 and received the prestigious Wolfson Fellowship, which he used to research trust in journalism at the University of Cambridge.

Crewdson said he was looking forward to helping shape RNZ’s future.

“I see this as a trailblazing role in New Zealand media and I’m excited to join RNZ’s formidable team.” 

RNZ published its AI Principles last year, outlining how the public media organisation will be guided in adoption of the new technology in a way that upholds trust and is consistent with RNZ’s Charter.

Crewdson will start in the role later this year.