NZME Limited/Announcement
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Full Year Results to 31 December 2018

Full Year Results18 February 2019NZMCommunication Services

1


MEDIA RELEASE


19 February 2019


NZME LIMITED FULL YEAR 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS


Progress on strategy in a challenging market


NZME Limited (NZME) today reported financial results for the full year 2018 that reflected

good progress on its strategy of growing new revenue streams, despite modest declines in

revenue from traditional sources in a difficult New Zealand advertising market.


FY 2018 key points

 Trading Revenue

1

declined 2% in FY 2018 to $378.4 million.

 Trading EBITDA

1

of $54.7 million, down 17% compared to FY 2017, impacted by

incremental operating costs for the new Digital Classifieds of $6.1 million. Excluding

Digital Classifieds, Trading costs

1

declined 1% and EBITDA declined 8%.

 Statutory NPAT declined 44% on FY 2017 to $11.6 million. Trading NPAT

1

of $18.9

million and Trading EPS

1

of 9.6 cents, compared to $26.7 million and 13.6 cents

respectively in FY 2017.

 To support investment in growth and strengthen the balance sheet, no final dividend

declared, as previously signalled to the market. Total FY 2018 dividends of 2.0 cents

per share, fully imputed.


NZME’s Chairman Peter Cullinane said, “Trading conditions remained challenging in FY 2018

but despite this, our revenue decline slowed. We have made significant progress to strengthen

the Company by investing in a number of promising new revenue opportunities to grow long-

term shareholder value. We continue to actively assess opportunities for improvement and

growth that arise from the ongoing media industry consolidation”.


NZME’s audience of 3.3 million New Zealanders

2

represents 80% of the New Zealand

population. The NZ Herald daily brand audience exceeded 1 million

3

and engagement on

nzherald.co.nz, as measured by time spent per visit, improved across FY 2018

4

. NZME’s

Radio audience and revenue share was stable in a weaker Agency market.

NZME Chief Executive Michael Boggs said, “We are pleased with the results given the economic

headwinds we faced in our business 2018. Given this backdrop, retaining revenue in Print was

a standout. We are also excited about the strong audience and listings growth in OneRoof, and

its early stage contribution to revenue.”

NZME’s advertising revenue faced ongoing structural pressures in print advertising, intensified

by weaker business and consumer confidence, which impacted New Zealand Agency advertising

demand in Radio, Digital and Print.


1

Trading measures are non-GAAP measures that are explained and reconciled in NZME Full Year 2018 Results

Presentation dated 19 February 2019. Trading Revenue is presented on a consistent basis with 2017, and excludes

the impact of NZ IFRS 15 adjustments. Trading EBITDA excludes exceptional items of $9.2m.

2

Nielsen CMI October Fused Q4 17 to Q3 18 (population 10+ years).

3

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 – Q3 18 AP 15+, represents a combination of Print readership and Digital audience.

4

Nielsen Market Intelligence Domestic Traffic (1 Jan 18 – 31 Dec 18).


2



Despite these pressures, there were bright spots in Print advertising, such as the Travel

category, assisted by the cruise ship industry. An improved final quarter saw the rate of

decline in Print advertising revenue slow from previous years.

Radio revenue was impacted by weak Agency demand, despite Direct Radio revenue

returning to growth in H2 2018. In FY 2018, NZME maintained its 39% share of the radio

advertising market

5

and continued to focus on having the best offer in the market to inform,

entertain and attract listeners.

NZME’s radio audience share was stable in FY 2018 at 35%

6

. NZME’s leading brands

maintained their strong presence, with NewstalkZB remaining the number one radio station in

New Zealand. iHeart Radio grew its registered users by 18% over the year to more than

831,000

7

.

Digital advertising revenue growth slowed in FY 2018, impacted in the second half by weak

Agency demand. The Digital market continues to evolve but retains highly attractive

fundamentals and NZME expects the channel to remain a long-term driver of growth

8

.

Since launch in late March 2018, NZME’s real estate classifieds portal, OneRoof, made

significant progress, growing real estate listings and audience to support the generation of

$0.7 million in revenue in FY 2018, with $0.5 million of this in Q4 2018.

“Our revenue numbers were encouraging given just how tough some parts of the market were

in FY 2018. Spending on growth initiatives continues to impact earnings ahead of revenue

generation but these investments offer very exciting prospects as we progress our strategy”,

said Mr Boggs.


Outlook


The trend for advertising bookings in Q1 2019 has improved with bookings tracking at 2%

lower than the previous corresponding period, compared with a 4% year on year decline

experienced in the same period in FY 2018. The Agency market remains challenged, however,

trends are improving.

The launch of digital subscriptions is on track for Q2 2019, with modest revenue expectations

in FY 2019. OneRoof is expected to deliver further listings, audience and revenue growth in

FY 2019.

NZME is continuing its focus on cost reduction, which will support ongoing investment in

Digital Classifieds and digital subscriptions. Consequently, net cost reduction is likely to be

modest.

In line with the capital management policy announced in November 2018, NZME is targeting

a reduction in debt of between $10 million and $15 million in FY 2019.



5

PwC Radio Advertising Benchmark Report, Q3 18.

6

GfK Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial Stations. NZME & Partners in Major Markets Trended to T4/2018.

Station Share %, AP 18-54.

7

iHeartMedia, 2017- 2018; Adobe Analytics, 2018.

8

PwC Outlook NZ Entertainment Outlook 2018 – 2022.


3



FY 2019 Strategic priorities

NZME’s long term strategy is based on a three-horizon model, focusing on: (1) optimising

core businesses; (2) growing new revenue streams that leverage existing audience and

customer relationships; and (3) re-imagining revenue models that address unmet customer

needs.

In FY 2019, NZME intends to focus on horizon 2 – revenue growth – in three main areas:

1. Leading the future of news and journalism in New Zealand

2. Increasing radio capability and performance

3. Creating New Zealand’s leading real estate platform

nzherald.co.nz will continue to deliver the majority of day-to-day news and current affairs

free of charge to an audience of 1.7 million

9

, and the launch of digital subscriptions in Q2

2019 will give readers the opportunity to access premium content on subscription, including

the best content from four top global publishers.

NZME will continue to enhance radio sales skills to support integrated selling. It will pursue

digital audience and revenue growth through leveraging iHeart capability and will develop

new shows to further build radio audience.

OneRoof will focus on securing further market listings and property categories, ongoing

development of user features and tools to enhance listings engagement, and leading New

Zealand’s property market commentary and insights.

All FY 2018 results materials can be found at:

www.nzx.com/markets/NZSX/securities/NZM/announcements


ENDS


For further information:

Michael Boggs

Chief Executive Officer

T: +64 9 367 6123

Email: Michael.Boggs@nzme.co.nz

Alexa Preston

GM Corporate Finance & Investor Relations

T: +64 21 997 902

Email: alexa.preston@nzme.co.nz


Briefing Audio Recording:

There will be an audio recording of the full year results briefing, to be held at 10:00 a.m.

NZDT on Tuesday, 19 February 2019, including Q&A, made available later in the day at:

www.nzme.co.nz/investor-relations/presentations-webcasts

About NZME

NZME is a leading New Zealand media and entertainment business that reaches more than 3.3

million kiwis

2

. Whether reading, listening or watching, our audience gets the content they want

– where and when they want it. NZME offers advertisers a unique opportunity to access its

growing audience via a fully integrated multi-platform presence. NZME is listed on the NZX

Main Board (code NZM) with a foreign exempt listing on the ASX (code NZM).


9

Nielsen Online Ratings, December 2018.

---

1



NZX/ASX RELEASE


19 February 2019


NZME LIMTED FULL YEAR 2018 FINANCIAL RESULTS

Progress on strategy in a challenging market

Key features of the FY 2018 results:

 Trading Revenue

1

declined 2% from FY 2017 to $378.4 million.

 Trading EBITDA

1

of $54.7 million, down 17% compared to FY 2017.

 Incremental operating costs for new Digital Classifieds of $6.1 million for the year.

 Excluding Digital Classifieds, Trading Costs

1

declined 1% and Trading EBITDA

1


declined 8% compared to FY 2017.

 Statutory NPAT declined 44% on FY 2017 to $11.6 million.

 Trading NPAT

1

of $18.9 million and Trading EPS

1

of 9.6 cents, compared to $26.7

million and 13.6 cents respectively in FY 2017.

 To support growth investment and strengthen the balance sheet, no final dividend

declared, as previously signalled to the market. Total FY 2018 dividends 2.0 cents per

share, fully imputed.

 Audience of 3.3 million

2

represents 80% of the New Zealand population. NZ Herald

daily brand audience greater than 1 million

3

.

 Weakened business confidence impacted advertising revenue in H2 2018, particularly

in the Agency channel.

 Digital Classifieds growth – OneRoof listings and early stage revenue encouraging.

 Substantial progress towards launching digital subscriptions in Q2 2019.


Financial summary ($m)

FY 2018 FY 2017 % Change

Trading Revenue

1

378.4 387.7 (2%)

Other Income 4.1 3.7 9%

Costs (327.7) (325.3) (1%)

Trading EBITDA

1

54.7 66.2 (17%)

Trading NPAT

1

18.9 26.7 (29%)

Statutory NPAT 11.6 20.9 (44%)

Total dividends (cps) 2.0 9.5 (79%)



1

Trading measures are non-GAAP measures that are explained and reconciled in NZME Full Year 2018 Results

Presentation dated 19 February 2019. Trading Revenue is presented on a consistent basis with 2017, and excludes the

impact of NZ IFRS 15 adjustments. Trading EBITDA excludes exceptional items of $9.2m.

2

Nielsen CMI October Fused Q4 17 to Q3 18 (population 10+ years).

3

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 – Q3 18 AP 15+, represents a combination of Print readership and Digital audience.



2




FULL YEAR 2018 SUMMARY

NZME Limited (NZME) reported financial results for the full year ended 31 December 2018

that reflected a modest decline in revenue in a difficult market and further investment in

developing its growth businesses.


Despite a challenging Agency advertising market NZME’s overall revenue decline was 2%.


NZME has made significant progress on the revenue growth strategies of OneRoof and digital

subscriptions, but the costs of these new businesses continue to impact profitability at the

group level.


The decline in Trading Revenue

1

slowed to 2% in FY 2018, from 4% in FY 2017. Print

revenue, benefiting from an extra publishing week in FY 2018 and a strong print travel

sector, declined 4% and Radio and Experiential revenue declined 3% due to challenges in the

Agency advertising market. These declines were not entirely offset by 6% growth in Digital

revenue. All channels were affected by a 4% decline in New Zealand Agency advertising

demand across the New Zealand market, in line with weak business confidence.


NZME’s audience of 3.3 million New Zealanders

2

represents 80% of the New Zealand

population. The NZ Herald daily brand audience exceeded 1 million

3

and engagement on

nzherald.co.nz, as measured by time spent per visit, improved across FY 2018

4

. NZME’s

Radio audience and revenue share was stable in a weaker Agency market. DRIVEN and YUDU

continue to show potential and OneRoof enjoyed strong audience and listings growth.


Trading EBITDA

1

declined 17% on FY 2017. Total Trading costs

1

increased 1% compared to

FY 2017, with efficiency improvements offset by additional costs associated with the

additional publishing week in FY 2018, an increase in contractual property operating expenses

and a $6.1 million incremental investment in the Digital Classified businesses.


Statutory NPAT declined 44% on FY 2017 to $11.6 million and Statutory EPS declined to 9.7

cents. Trading NPAT

1

of $18.9 million and Trading EPS

1

of 9.6 cents were 29% lower than FY

2017.


Net debt was $98.3 million at 31 December 2018, down $7.8 million from $106.1 million at

30 June 2018 and up $8.1 million from $90.2 million at 31 December 2017. Net cash flow

was impacted by reduced Trading EBITDA

1

, changes in working capital and the timing of FY

2017 tax payments. Capital expenditure was $14.1 million in FY 2018, compared to $15.1

million in FY 2017. Net debt to Trading EBITDA

1

was 1.8 times. NZME retains undrawn bank

facilities of $51.7 million.


In November 2018, NZME’s debt was refinanced and the Company adopted a debt reduction

target to support financial strength. Consequently, no final dividend was declared in respect

of FY2018. Total dividends for FY2018 were 2.0 cents per share, fully imputed.




4

Nielsen Market Intelligence Domestic Traffic (1 Jan 18 – 31 Dec 18).



3




CHANNEL RESULTS


Revenue by channel $m FY 2018 FY 2017 % Change

Print 211.6 221.3 (4%)

Radio and Experiential 106.8 110.1 (3%)

Digital 60.0 56.3 6%

Total trading revenue 378.4 387.7 (2%)


Print


Print revenue was $211.6 million in FY 2018, a decline of 4% from FY 2017. Print remains

NZME’s largest revenue segment, representing 56% of total NZME Trading Revenue

1

,

comprised of Print advertising revenue (30% of Trading Revenue

1

), Print circulation revenue

(22%) and other Print revenue sources (4%).


Print revenue in FY 2018 benefited from an additional publishing week, nonetheless, the

underlying rate of decline in Print revenue continued to ease. Excluding the additional trading

week Print revenue declined 5%.


Print advertising revenue of $114.2 million was 6% lower than FY 2017, impacted by

structural deterioration in print advertising. The Print Agency advertising market, which

represents 30% of NZME’s Print advertising revenue, suffered a double digit drop in Agency

advertising spend during FY 2018. Despite these market pressures, there were encouraging

segments in Print advertising, such as the travel category, assisted by the cruise ship

industry.


The 6% decline in Print advertising revenue in FY 2018 was lower than the 9% and 10%

declines seen in FY 2017 and FY 2016 respectively. The decline in Print advertising revenue

against the previous corresponding period eased to 3% in the second half of 2018, from 9%

in the first half, aided by improving trends in the final quarter of the year.


Circulation revenue declined 2% in FY 2018. After adjusting for additional trading days,

circulation revenue declined approximately 4%. Circulation volume declined, however yields

were maintained through cover price increases in July 2018.


Other Print revenue, relating to printing and distribution services provided to external parties,

decreased 6% year-on-year due to lower third-party circulation volumes.


NZME experienced readership growth for its Print mastheads in FY 2018. The New Zealand

Herald remains the most-read newspaper in the country

5

.


The New Zealand Herald’s daily brand audience, which includes digital, remained above 1

million in FY 2018

3

, reflecting the strength of the New Zealand Herald brand and NZME’s

success in growing audience reach.





5

Nielsen CMI, NZ Herald AIR trend Q4 2017 – Q3 2018, AP15+.



4




Direct Print costs and contribution


To improve understanding of the contribution from the three business segments NZME has

reported ‘direct costs’ and ‘contribution’ for each channel. Direct Print costs include printing

and distribution costs, occupancy costs at the Ellerslie print plant and agency commission

specifically related to Print products. Direct costs exclude integrated head office, content

generation and sales costs.


Direct Print costs declined 4% in FY 2018 to $72.9 million, reflecting lower volumes and the

ongoing benefits from plant upgrades, offset to some extent by the additional publishing

week in FY 2018. Print contribution, that is Print revenue less direct Print costs, was $138.7

million in FY 2018, a decline of 5%.


Radio and Experiential


Radio and Experiential revenue of $106.8 million in FY 2018 was 3% lower than FY 2017.

Direct Radio advertising revenue showed positive trends in 2018, growing 2% in H2 2018.


However, Agency revenue declined 7% in FY 2018 due to weakness in Agency market

demand, in line with weaker business confidence. The Agency channel represents an

estimated 30% of Radio advertising revenue. NZME maintained its 39% share of the radio

advertising market

6

.


NZME continued to focus in FY 2018 on having the best radio offer in the market to inform,

entertain and attract listeners. This was supported by new talent and programming

enhancements in 2018, including a new drive show on ZM and a new breakfast show on

Coast, with benefits anticipated over the next 12 to 18 months.


Radio audience share was stable in FY 2018 at 35%

7

. NZME’s leading brands maintained their

strong presence, with NewstalkZB remaining the number one radio station in New Zealand.


In digital radio, iHeart Radio grew its registered users by 18% over the year to more than

831,000

8

and total listening hours increased 16% year on year to 3.2 million

9

. Other Revenue

(including iHeart and Events) was 7% higher in FY 2018 at $6.9 million.


NZME remains focussed on its strong brands to deliver consistent radio revenue growth

through: building audience across brands and digital platforms; and enhancing radio sales

skills and execution.


Direct Radio costs and contribution


Direct Radio and Experiential costs increased 1% in FY 2018, to $31.9 million. Radio and

Experiential contribution was $75.0 million in FY 2018, a decline of 5%.




6

PwC Radio Advertising Benchmark Report, Q3 18.

7

GfK Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial Stations. NZME & Partners in Major Markets Trended to T4/2018.

Station Share %, AP 18-54.

8

iHeartMedia, 2017- 2018; Adobe Analytics, 2018.

9

AdsWizz and StreamGuys, 2017-2018.



5




Direct Radio and Experiential costs include: radio licence fees, transmission costs, iHeart

licence fees, radio talent costs, and agency commission specifically related to Radio products,

and exclude integrated head office, content generation and sales costs.


Digital and e-Commerce


Digital and e-Commerce revenue grew 6% in FY 2018 to $60.0 million, with Digital revenue,

including Digital Classified revenue, growing 9% to $48.9 million and e-Commerce revenue of

$11.0 million, down 4%.


The growth rate of the digital advertising market slowed during FY 2018, impacted by a

contraction in the overall Agency advertising market. The Agency channel represents

approximately 50% of Digital advertising revenues. Digital Agency revenue grew 15% in H1

2018 and declined 7% in H2 2018, with 3% growth year on year. Direct Digital revenue grew

8% in FY 2018.


Industry display and mobile revenue growth, compared to the previous corresponding period,

slowed from an estimated 10% in FY 2017 to 5% in FY 2018. NZME’s display and mobile

revenue growth, compared to the previous corresponding period, slowed from 19% in FY

2017 to 3% in FY 2018. Digital advertising demand and revenue trends improved late in the

year.


The Digital market continues to evolve but retains highly attractive fundamentals and NZME

expects the channel to remain a long-term driver of growth

10

.


Digital includes the three Digital Classified portals, OneRoof (real estate), DRIVEN (autos)

and YUDU (jobs). DRIVEN and YUDU continue to show potential, but the priority remains on

OneRoof, which has greater revenue opportunity in the near term.


OneRoof is New Zealand’s newest real estate platform incorporating superior user experience

and search functionality.


Since launch in March 2018, OneRoof has made significant progress on growing real estate

listings and audience to support the generation of $0.7 million in revenue in FY 2018, with

$0.5 million of this in Q4 2018.


By the end of FY 2018, four out of the five major New Zealand agency groups were on

oneroof.co.nz and residential ‘for sale’ listings had grown to be approximately 66% of Trade

Me’s national residential ‘for sale’ listings and 87% Trade Me’s Greater Auckland residential

‘for sale’ listings. OneRoof has also seen increasing listings engagement, saved property

searches and enquiry rates.


OneRoof has enjoyed strong audience growth since launch, supported by listings and the

integrated content and advertising strategy. Audience growth was given a significant boost in

early December 2018 with the release of the OneRoof Quarterly Property Report. An

estimated 40% of audience comes as referral from nzherald.co.nz, 40% direct to site or via

organic search and around 50% of audience is mobile.



10

PwC Outlook NZ Entertainment Outlook 2018 – 2022.



6





In e-Commerce, GrabOne revenue of $11.0 million in FY 2018 reflected stabilisation in the

second half due to a higher degree of personalisation and targeted direct marketing.


Following an 8% revenue decline in H1 2018, e-Commerce revenue grew in H2 2018, to

finish year just 4% lower than FY 2017. This represents a notable stabilisation in revenue

compared to the 18% revenue decline experienced in FY 2017 and 16% decline in FY 2016,

reflecting the change in the GrabOne business model over this time.


Direct Digital and e-Commerce costs


Direct Digital and e-Commerce costs include fulfilment costs, production costs, bank

merchant fees related to GrabOne, agency commission specifically related to Digital products

and costs associated with the Digital Classifieds.


Excluding incremental Digital Classified costs, Direct Digital and e-Commerce costs increased

24% in FY 2018 to $10.3 million, reflecting growth in production and fulfilment costs.


Incremental Digital Classified costs were in line with expectations at $6.1 million in FY 2018.


FINANCE AND CORPORATE

Costs


At the group level, total Trading costs

1

increased 1% in FY 2018 to $327.7 million, which

included incremental Digital Classified costs of $6.1 million. Excluding incremental Digital

Classified costs, underlying costs declined 1% in FY 2018. H2 costs were impacted by the

additional publishing week in FY 2018 and an increase in contractual property operating

expenses.


Exceptional items of $9.2 million in FY 2018 included redundancy costs of $5.3 million, the

write-off of the $2.2 million investment in Ratebroker due to underperformance in the

Ratebroker business, and other one-off costs of $1.7 million.


Cash flow and net debt


Cash flow from operations was $46.9 million in FY 2018, compared to $56.2 million in the

prior year, impacted by reduced Trading EBITDA

1

and increased working capital.


Capital expenditure of $14.1 million for FY 2018 was in line with expectations and down

modestly on the prior year. In FY 2019, capex is expected to decline to around $12 million

due to the completion of a number of key technology integration projects.


Year-end net debt increased $7.9 million from 31 December 2017, reflecting reduced

operating cash flow, higher tax payments, exceptional items and dividend payments.


Tax paid was higher in FY 2018 due to the timing impact of FY 2017 tax payments. In FY

2019, tax payments are expected to be in line with accounting tax expense.




7




Capital management


Following the completion of the Board’s capital review in November 2018, NZME announced a

revised Capital Management Policy, which supports long-term strategic objectives and

operational priorities to maximise shareholder value.


The near-term objective is to reduce gearing while maintaining investment in growth

opportunities and continue paying dividends, when trading and investment conditions permit.


Net debt was $98.3 million at 31 December 2018, compared to $106.1 million at 30 June

2018 and $90.2 million at 31 December 2017. The ratio of net debt to rolling 12-month

Trading EBITDA

1

was 1.8 times at 31 December 2018.


NZME is targeting a net debt reduction of between $10 million and $15 million per annum, to

bring the leverage ratio to within the target range of 1.0 to 1.5 times rolling 12-month

Trading EBITDA

1

.


Subject to achieving the annual debt reduction target, and having regard to NZME’s capital

requirements, operating performance, financial position and cash flow at the time, NZME

intends to pay dividends of 30% to 50% of reported NPAT.


As part of the capital review, new bank facilities of $150 million were established in

November 2018 with expiry extended to 1 January 2022. Reflecting the intention to reduce

gearing, the size of the new bank facility will be reduced progressively over its term, lowering

facility costs over that time. NZME retains significant headroom under its existing facilities,

with undrawn bank facilities as at 31 December 2018 of $51.7 million.


Consistent with the revised policy the Board has elected not to declare a final dividend with

respect to FY 2018. Total dividends for FY 2018 will therefore remain at the 2.0 cents per

share, fully imputed, paid in October 2018 in relation to the first half of FY 2018.


Board


Barbara Chapman and Sussan Turner were appointed as Independent Directors during the

year. The Board comprises five directors with a strong mix of experience and skills to support

the development and implementation of strategy.


Industry consolidation


In October 2018, NZME resolved to not appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision in relation to

the proposed merger of NZME and Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited’s (previously

Fairfax Media Limited) New Zealand subsidiary, Stuff Limited. This brings the merger process

to a conclusion.


Industry consolidation has been a powerful trend in the media sector and is expected to

continue. As has always been the case, NZME is actively seeking to take advantage of

opportunities that may arise, where it supports strategic objectives and adds value for

shareholders.




8




FY 2019 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES


NZME’s long term strategy is based on a three-horizon model, focusing on: (1) optimising

core businesses; (2) growing new revenue streams that leverage existing audience and

customer relationships; and (3) re-imagining revenue models that address unmet customer

needs.


In FY 2019, NZME intends to focus on horizon 2 – revenue growth – in three main areas:


1. Leading the future of news and journalism in New Zealand

2. Increasing radio capability and performance

3. Creating New Zealand’s leading real estate platform


Leading the future of news and journalism in New Zealand


In line with the strategy to leverage audience reach and brand strength to grow new revenue

streams, NZME intends to launch paid content on its digital mastheads in Q2 2019.


Audience willingness to pay for digital content has increased significantly in recent years.

NZME will adopt the “freemium” model with day-to-day news and current affairs provided

free of charge and in-depth analysis and opinion available on subscription. The technology

partnership with Washington Post Arc has enabled NZME to tailor content and enhance the

personalisation of the New Zealand Herald online experience.


In FY 2018, NZME invested in premium and in-depth journalism and utilised data to target

content and lift user engagement. nzherald.co.nz now has more than 520,000 registered

online users.


The strategy is to build technology, content and audience to deliver revenue. The current

technology focus is on optimising user experience. The new platform will deliver access to

the best content from four top global publishers and an unrivalled local team of premium

journalists across business, politics, news, sport, lifestyle and entertainment.


nzherald.co.nz intends to maintain its 1.7 million strong current audience

11

with a model that

ensures the majority of content remains free.


Increased premium content, and digital audience engagement will support NZME’s target to

deliver 10,000 digital subscribers within the first year. Digital subscriptions are also expected

to improve print subscriber retention.


The FY 2019 net investment in digital subscriptions is expected to be $1.2 million, including

costs associated with global syndicated content, launch and ongoing marketing support.

NZME expects paid subscriptions to make a positive contribution to EBITDA in the second

year following launch.






11

Nielsen Online Ratings, December 2018.



9





Increase radio capability and performance


The New Zealand Radio market is highly competitive. NZME is the second largest radio

operator in New Zealand, with a weekly radio audience of 2.0 million

12

. NZME also has the

exclusive license for the iHeart Radio platform in New Zealand and is well positioned to take

advantage of the growing digital radio market.


Improvements in NZME’s radio audience share and sales execution offers a meaningful

revenue opportunity in the medium term. In FY 2019, NZME will continue to enhance radio

sales skills to support integrated selling. It will pursue digital audience and revenue growth

through leveraging iHeart capability and will develop new shows to further build radio

audience.


The success metrics of the strategy are to deliver growth in radio revenue, improve audience

share in the key 18-54 demographic and continue to grow iHeart registered users and

streaming hours.


Creating New Zealand’s leading real estate platform


NZME sees a significant opportunity to capitalise on its existing real estate advertising

presence to grow shareholder value by creating New Zealand’s leading real estate platform.

Real Estate is NZME’s largest revenue vertical representing $32.8 million in revenue

(excluding OneRoof) in FY 2018.


OneRoof has made significant progress in the last 12 months including technology build, rapid

listings and audience growth and, largely in the last quarter of FY 2018, initial revenue of

$0.7 million.


To further leverage NZME’s strong real estate position, Real Estate products have now been

co-branded OneRoof to facilitate integrated sales and content offerings.


In FY 2019, the focus is on securing further market listings and property categories, ongoing

development of user features and tools to enhance listings engagement, and leading New

Zealand’s property market commentary and insights, to support continued revenue growth.


OUTLOOK


 Improving trends for Advertising bookings in Q1 2019. Bookings are tracking down 2%,

compared with the 4% decline experienced in the same period in FY 2018. The Agency

market remains challenged, however, trends are improving.

 The launch of digital subscriptions is on track for Q2 2019 with modest revenue

expectations and estimated net investment of $1.2m in FY 2019. OneRoof is expected to

deliver further listings, audience and revenue growth in FY 2019.



12

Gfk Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial stations, NZME and Partners, Cumulative Audience T4 2018.



10




 NZME is continuing its focus on cost reduction. Savings made in Q4 2018 will impact FY

2019. However, given the ongoing investment in Digital Classifieds and digital

subscriptions, net cost reduction is likely to be modest.

 NZME will continue to enhance radio sales skills to support integrated selling and Radio

revenue growth.

 In line with the Capital Management Policy announced in November 2018, NZME is

targeting a reduction in debt of $10m to $15m in FY 2019.

 Industry consolidation is expected to continue to present opportunities for NZME.


All FY 2018 results materials can be found at:

www.nzx.com/markets/NZSX/securities/NZM/announcements


ENDS


For further information:


Michael Boggs

Chief Executive Officer

T: +64 9 367 6123

Email: Michael.Boggs@nzme.co.nz


Alexa Preston

GM Corporate Finance & Investor Relations

T: +64 21 997 902

Email: alexa.preston@nzme.co.nz


Briefing Audio:


There will be an audio recording of the full year results briefing, to be held at 10:00 a.m.

NZDT on Tuesday, 19 February 2019, including Q&A, made available later in the day at

www.nzme.co.nz/investor-relations/presentations-webcasts


About NZME


NZME is a leading New Zealand media and entertainment business that reaches more than

3.3 million kiwis

2

. Whether reading, listening or watching, our audience gets the content they

want – where and when they want it. NZME offers advertisers a unique opportunity to access

its growing audience via a fully integrated multi-platform presence. NZME is listed on the NZX

Main Board (code NZM) with a foreign exempt listing on the ASX (code NZM).

---

CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NZME Limited

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2018

Page 2
Directors’ Statement 3

Consolidated Income Statement 4

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income 5

Consolidated Balance Sheet 6

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity 7

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows 8

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements*

Basis of Preparation 9

Group Performance 12

Operating Assets & Liabilities 22

Capital Management 32

Taxation 48

Group Structure and Investments in Other Entities 51

Other Notes 56

Independent Auditor’s Report 58

* In an attempt to make these financial statements easier to read, the notes to the financial statements have been grouped into seven

sections; aimed at grouping items of a similar nature together. The Basis of Preparation section presents a summary of material

information and general accounting policies that are necesary to understand the basis on which these consolidated financial statements

have been prepared. Accounting policies specific to a particular note are included in that note and are shaded for ease of reference. Key

judgments and estimates relevant to a particular note are also included in the relevant note, and are clearly marked as such. A summary

of the key judgments and estimates is also included under the Basis of Preparation section on pages 9 to 11.

CONTENTS

Consolidated Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Page 3
The directors are pleased to present the consolidated financial statements of NZME Limited (the “Company”) and its

subsidiaries (together the “Group”) for the year ended 31 December 2018, incorporating the consolidated financial

statements and the auditor’s report.

The directors are responsible, on behalf of the Company, for presenting these consolidated financial statements in

accordance with applicable New Zealand legislation and generally acceptable accounting practices in New Zealand in

order to present consolidated financial statements that present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the

Group as at 31 December 2018 and the results of the Group’s operations and cash flows for the year.

The consolidated financial statements for the Group as presented on pages 4 to 57 are signed on behalf of the Board of

Directors, and are authorised for issue on the date below.

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors

DIRECTORS’ STATEMENT

Peter Cullinane Carol Campbell

Director Director


Date: 18 February 2019

Page 4
Note

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Revenue2.1

388,269

390,688

Finance and other income2.1

769

926

Total revenue and other income

2.1

389,038

391,614

Expenses from operations before finance costs, depreciation, amortisation2.2.1

(343,459)

(332,839)

Depreciation & amortisation2.2.2

(24,555)

(24,946)

Finance costs2.2.3

(4,636)

(4,497)

Profit / (loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense16,388

29,332

Income tax expense5.1

(4,816)

(8,447)

Profit for the year11,572

20,885

Profit for the year is attributable to:

Owners of the Company

11,735

20,885

Non-controlling interests

(163)

-

Profit for the year11,572

20,885

Cents

Cents

Earnings per share attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the

Company

Basic / diluted earnings per share2.3

6.0 10.7

The above Consolidated Income Statement should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Page 5
Note

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Profit for the year11,572

20,885

Other comprehensive income

Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations4.2

32

(15)

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Exchange and other differences applicable to non-controlling interests

-

-

Other comprehensive income, net of tax32

(15)

Total comprehensive income11,604

20,870

Total comprehensive income attributable to:

Owners of the Company

11,767

20,870

Non-controlling interests

(163)

-

11,604

20,870

The above Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income should be read in conjunction with the

accompanying notes.

C O N S O LI DATE D S TATE M E NT

OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Page 6
Note

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents4.7

11,717

9,570

Trade and other receivables3.3

58,694

55,323

Inventories

1,866

1,926

Tax receivable

898

-

Total current assets73,175

66,819

Non-current assets

Intangible assets3.1

329,911

330,553

Property, plant and equipment3.2

47,14 5

56,031

Capital work in progress3.2.1

8,758

8,694

Other financial assets6.3.2

3,788

5,988

Total non-current assets389,602

401,266

Total assets462,777

468,085

Current liabilities

Trade and other payables3.4

52,036

56,894

Current tax provision

-

7,567

Total current liabilities52,036

64,461

Non-current liabilities

Trade and other payables3.4

13,665

13,565

Interest bearing liabilities4.5

109,992

99,788

Deferred tax liabilities5.2

448

1,239

Total non-current liabilities124,105

114,592

Total liabilities176,141

179,053

Net assets286,636

289,032

Equity

Share capital4.1

360,363

360,363

Reserves4.2

2,998

2,385

Retained earnings

(77,662)

(73,716)

Total Company interest285,699

289,032

Non-controlling interests937

-

Total equity286,636

289,032

The above Consolidated Balance Sheet should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

as at 31 December 2018

Page 7
Attributable to owners of the company

Note

Share

capital

$’000

Reserves

$’000

Retained

earnings

$’000

To t a l

$’000

Non-

controlling

interests

$’000

To t a l

Equity

$’000

Balance at 1 January 2017

360,363(5,198)(69,606)

285,559

-

285,559

Profit for the year--20,885

20,885

-

20,885

Other comprehensive income -(15)-

(15)

-

(15)

Total comprehensive income

-(15)20,885

20,870

-

20,870

Dividends paid--(18,622)

(18,622)

-

(18,622)

Supplementary dividends paid--(2,785)

(2,785)

-

(2,785)

Tax credit on supplementary dividends--2,785

2,785

-

2,785

Transfer from transactions with

non-controlling interest reserve

4.2-6,373(6,373)

-

-

-

Share based payments expense4.2-1,225-

1,225

-

1,225

Balance at 31 December 2017

360,3632,385(73,716)

289,032

-

289,032

Balance at 1 January 2018

360,3632,385(73,716)

289,032

-

289,032

Profit for the year--11,735

11,735

(163)

11,572

Other comprehensive income -32-

32

-

32

Total comprehensive income

-3211,735

11,767

(163)

11,604

Dividends paid--(15,681)

(15,681)

-

(15,681)

Supplementary dividends paid--(1,864)

(1,864)

-

(1,864)

Tax credit on supplementary dividends--1,864

1,864

-

1,864

Share based payments expense4.2-581-

581

-

581

Equity transactions with non-controlling

interests

---

-

1,100

1,100

Balance at 31 December 2018

360,3632,998( 7 7,6 62)

285,699

937

286,636

The above Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

C O N S O LI DATE D S TATE M E NT

OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Page 8
C O N S O LI DATE D S TATE M E NT

OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 31 December 2018

Note

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Cash flows from operating activities

Receipts from customers

378,082

3 87, 2 28

Payments to suppliers and employees

(338,289)

(336,626)

Dividends received

143

128

Interest received

80

139

Interest paid

(4,096)

(5,804)

Income taxes paid

(14,078)

(5,610)

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from operating activities

4.7

21,842

39,455

Cash flows from investing activities

Payments for property, plant and equipment

(6,000)

(4,881)

Payments for intangible assets including software

(8,080)

(10,165)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

30

27

Payments for investment in other entities

(49)

-

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from investing activities(14,099)

(15,019)

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from borrowings

107,400

84,000

Repayments of borrowings

(96,900)

(96,486)

Payments for borrowing cost

(415)

-

Dividends paid to Company's shareholders

(15,681)

(18,622)

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from financing activities(5,596)

(31,108)

Net increase / (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

2 ,147

(6,672)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year

9,570

16,242

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

4.7

11,717

9,570

The above Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows should be read in conjunction with the accompanying notes.

Page 9
1.1 REPORTING ENTITY AND STATUTORY BASE

NZME Limited (NZX and ASX:NZM) is a for-profit company limited by ordinary shares which are publicly traded on the

NZX Main Board and the Australian Securities Exchange as a Foreign Exempt Listing. NZME Limited is incorporated and

domiciled in New Zealand. It is registered under the Companies Act 1993 and is a FMC reporting entity under Part 7 of the

Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013. The entity’s registered office is 2 Graham Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.

NZME Limited (the “Company” or “Parent”) and its subsidiaries’ (together the “Group”) principal activity during the financial

year was the operation of an integrated media and entertainment business.

1.2 GENERAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with New Zealand Generally Accepted

Accounting Practice (“NZ GAAP”). They comply with New Zealand equivalents to International Financial Reporting

Standards (“NZ IFRS”) and other applicable Financial Reporting Standards, as appropriate for for-profit entities. The

consolidated financial statements also comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The consolidated

financial statements have also been prepared in accordance with Part 7 of the Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 and the

NZX Listing Rules.

The principal accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are either set out below, or in the

relevant note. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated. These

consolidated financial statements are presented for the Group and were approved for issue by the Board of Directors on 18

February 2019.

1.2.1 Basis of measurement

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of certain items for

which specific accounting policies are identified.

1.2.2 Comparatives

Certain prior period information has been re-presented to ensure consistency with current year disclosures and to provide

more meaningful comparison.

1.2.3 Foreign currency translation

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary

economic environment in which the entity operates (functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are

presented in New Zealand dollars, which is the Company’s functional and the Group’s presentation currency, and rounded

to the nearest thousand, except where otherwise stated.

1.2.4 Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’)

The income statement has been prepared so that all components are stated exclusive of GST. All items in the balance

sheet are stated net of GST, with the exception of receivables and payables, which include GST invoiced. In the statement

of cash flows, receipts from customers and payments to suppliers are shown exclusive of GST.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL

S TATE M E NT S

1.0 BASIS OF PREPARATION

Page 10
1.3 SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain significant judgments, accounting

estimates and assumptions, including judgments, estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The estimates and

assumptions are based on historical experiences and other factors that are considered to be relevant. The resulting

accounting estimates will by definition, seldom equal the related actual results and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. A list

of those areas of significant estimation or judgment and a reference to the notes containing further information is provided

below:

Areas of significant accounting estimates or judgmentsNote

Impact of Performance Rights on earnings per share2.3

Determination of the number of reportable segments2.4.1

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives3.1

Assumptions used in testing for impairment of indefinite life intangible assets3.1.1

1.4 SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

1.4.1 Proposed Merger with Stuff Limited

On 25 September 2018 the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision to decline the proposed merger of NZME

Limited and Stuff Limited.

On 24 October 2018 the Company announced that it would not appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 11
1.5 NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS ADOPTED IN THE CURRENT PERIOD

The Group adopted NZ IFRS 15

Revenue from Contracts with Customers for the first time on 1 January 2018. The Group

applied NZ IFRS 15 retrospectively with the cumulative effect of applying the standard for the first time recognised at the

date of initial application (1 January 2018). Comparative figures for the period ended 31 December 2017 have therefore

not been restated. The Group did not identify any significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition as a result of

the adoption of NZ IFRS 15 and accordingly there was no adjustment for the cumulative effect against opening retained

earnings at 1 January 2018. The Group did, however, identify instances resulting in revenue relating to certain types

of contracts being recognised at the gross amount that have been presented at an amount net of related expenses

historically. This resulted in an increase in both revenue and expenses, with no impact on net profit. Refer to note 2.1.1 for

further information on the impact of the adoption of NZ IFRS 15 on the period ended 31 December 2018.

1.6 STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS ISSUED BUT NOT YET EFFECTIVE

NZ IFRS 16

Leases replaces NZ IAS 17 and is effective for the period commencing 1 January 2019. It requires a lessee

to recognise a lease liability reflecting future lease payments and a ‘right-of-use asset’ for virtually all lease contracts.

Included is an optional exemption for certain short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. Work has been undertaken

to review all of the lease commitments of NZME to determine the impact NZ IFRS 16 will have on EBITDA. Currently we

believe that the Group EBITDA will increase by between $16 million to $18 million when the standard is adopted as the

leased assets are transferred to the balance sheet and interest and depreciation replaces the current operating lease

expense.

All other standards, interpretations and amendments issued but not yet effective are either not applicable to the Group or

not material.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 12
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL

S TATE M E NT S

2.0 GROUP PERFORMANCE

2.1 DISAGGREGATION OF REVENUE AND OTHER INCOME

Print

$’000

Radio &

Experiential

$’000

Digital &

e-Commerce

$’000

To t a l

$’000

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Advertising114,159107,6 1358,932

280,704

Circulation & subscription81,498--

81,498

External printing & distribution8,805--

8,805

Other7,1375,6891,022

13,848

Segment revenue from integrated media and

entertainment activities

211,599113,30259,954

384,855

Shared services centre

3,414

Total revenues from external customers388,269

Dividends

143

Rental income from sub-leases

516

Gain on disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment

30

Other income689

Finance income

80

Total finance and other income769

Total revenue and other income 389,038

Print

$’000

Radio &

Experiential

$’000

Digital &

e-Commerce

$’000

To t a l

$’000

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Advertising121,012105,03756,048

282,097

Circulation & subscription83,263--

83,263

External printing & distribution9,571--

9,571

Other7,4735,034279

12,786

Segment revenue from integrated media and

entertainment activities

221,319110,07156,327

3 87,7 17

Shared services centre

2,971

Total revenues from external customers390,688

Dividends

128

Rental income from sub-leases

632

Gain on disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment

27

Other income787

Finance income

139

Total finance and other income926

Total revenue and other income 391,614

Page 13
2.1.1 Impact of NZ IFRS 15 adoption

As discussed in Note 1.5, the Group adopted NZ IFRS 15

Revenue from Contracts with Customers for the first time on

1 January 2018. Although the Group did not identify any significant changes in the timing of revenue recognition as a

result of the adoption of NZ IFRS 15, following a detailed analysis of the agency vs principal rules and changes to the

requirements relating to non-cash consideration (particularly as they relate to barter transactions), the Group identified

instances where revenue is now recognised at the gross amount and not net of the related expense as it would previously

have been reported. This results in an increase in both revenue and expenses, with no impact on net profit. The table below

shows the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current year by NZ IFRS 15 as compared to

NZ IAS 18 and the related interpretations that were in effect before the change.

NZ IAS 18

$’000

Adjustment

$’000

NZ IFRS 15

$’000

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Revenue381,8076,462

388,269

Finance and other income769-

769

Total revenue and other income

382,5766,462

389,038

Expenses from operations before finance costs, depreciation, amortisation(336,997)(6,462)

(343,459)

Depreciation & amortisation(24,555)

-

(24,555)

Finance costs(4,636)

-

(4,636)

Profit before income tax expense

16,388-

16,388

Accounting policies

Given that NZ IFRS 15 was adopted at 1 January 2018, the Group applies the following accounting policies in relation

to revenue:

Advertising

The Group operates an integrated media and entertainment business and contracts with customers to provide

advertising on multiple platforms consisting of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same.

Advertising is often bundled to include print, radio and/or digital components. In most cases each component

of the bundle is treated as a distinct performance obligation and the transaction price is allocated on a relative

stand-alone selling price basis. Experiential campaigns are a type of bundling focused on providing an experience

utilising a mix of traditional advertising mediums with bespoke elements like competitions, product sampling,

street performances etc. These activities are highly integrated and inter-dependent and are therefore a single

performance obligation with revenue recognised over the period of the campaign. These campaigns often include

elements that are provided by external parties and the Group acts as the principal in those instances. These

campaigns are typically run over a short period of time and are typically completed and billed for in the same

reporting or billing period. Where the Group provides advertising for non-cash consideration, revenue is recognised

at the fair value of the consideration received, unless the Group cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the

non-cash consideration; in which case revenue is recognised by reference to the stand-alone selling price of the

advertising promised to the customer. When advertising is exchanged for advertising, revenue is recognised on a

gross basis as set out above.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 14
Subscriptions

The Group enters into contracts with customers to deliver a specified publication on specified days. The

performance obligation is satisfied, and revenue is recognised, when the publication is delivered.

Circulation

The Group enters into contracts with customers to deliver specified publications on specified days which the

customer will on-sell to the public. The performance obligation is satisfied when the publication is delivered.

Certain customers have a right to return any unsold publications which is treated as variable consideration.

Customers are required to report unsold publications using an online system on a weekly basis. The Group

therefore includes in the transaction price an estimate of the unsold publications using the most likely amount

method based on the weekly reporting from customers to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant

reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognised will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the

variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

External printing and distribution

The Group enters into contracts with customers to print their publications and, in certain cases, distribute those

publications on their behalf; including maintaining a distribution network. The printing, delivery and maintenance

of a distribution network are distinct performance obligations. The performance obligation to print a publication

is satisfied when those publications are printed. Similarly, the performance obligation to deliver a publication is

satisfied when it is delivered. The performance obligation to maintain a distribution network is a service that is

largely the same on a monthly basis and is satisfied, and revenue recognised, in equal increments over the billing

period.

e-Commerce (GrabOne)

The Group acts as an agent for merchants selling their products or services to the public using the GrabOne

platform. The Group does not control the product or service before it is transferred to the purchaser. Revenue is

recognised in the amount of any fees or commissions the Group expects to be entitled to in exchange for arranging

for the product or service to be provided by the merchant.

Shared services centre

The Group provides back-office support services to customers. Revenue is therefore recognised in equal

increments over the billing period.

Deferred revenue

When a customer pays for goods or services in advance, the Group recognises a Deferred Revenue liability which is

reduced, and revenue recognised, as the Group satisfies each distinct performance obligation.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 15
Significant financing component

The Group does not expect, at contract inception, that the period between transferring the promised goods or

services from contracts with customers and when the customer pays for those goods and services to be more

than one year. The Group applies the practical expedient in NZ IFRS 15 to not adjust the promised amount of

consideration it expects to receive for those goods or services for the effects of a significant financing component.

Incremental cost of obtaining a contract

The Group applies the practical expedient in NZ IFRS 15 to recognise the incremental cost of obtaining a contract (such

as commission) when incurred if the amortisation period is one year or less. If material, the Group will recognise an asset

for any incremental cost of obtaining a contract with a customer if the Group expects to recover those costs and the

amortisation period is expected to be more than one year. Those costs will be amortised on a systematic basis that is

consistent with the transfer of the good or service to which the asset relates.

Costs to fulfil a contract

If the costs incurred in fulfilling a contract with a customer are material and not within the scope of another

standard, the Group recognises an asset from the costs incurred if all of the following criteria are met:

• The costs relate directly to the contract;

• The costs generate or enhance resources that the Group will use to satisfy the performance obligations in

that contract; and

• The costs are expected to be recovered.

Those costs will be amortised on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer of the goods or services

promised in that contract.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 16
2.2 EXPENSES

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

2.2.1 Expenses from operations before finance costs, depreciation, amortisation

Employee benefits expense

154,509

157,3 50

Production and distribution expense

72,997

75,045

Selling and marketing expense

52,728

47,56 9

Rental and occupancy expense

22,023

21,986

Costs in relation to one-off projects

1,632

2,970

Redundancies and associated costs

5,289

4,314

Asset write-downs and business closures

89

275

Impairment of Financial Asset

2,249

-

Repairs and maintenance costs

7, 5 41

6,973

Travel and entertainment costs

4,007

4,180

Other

20,395

12,177

Total expenses from operations before finance costs, depreciation, amortisation343,459

332,839

2.2.2 Depreciation & amortisation

Depreciation

14,664

15,559

Amortisation

9,891

9,387

Total depreciation & amortisation24,555

24,946

2.2.3 Finance costs

Interest and finance charges – other entities

4,517

4,391

Borrowing cost amortisation

119

106

Total finance costs4,636

4,497

2.2.4 Fees paid to auditors

Fees paid to the Group’s auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, consist of:

Audit or review of financial statements

A

383

368

Other services

Other assurance services

B

22

51

Tax services

C

71

109

Other services

D

26

125

Total other services119

285

Total fees paid to auditors502

653

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 17
A

Includes the fee for both the audit of the annual financial statements and the independent review of the

interim financial statements.

B

Includes regulatory and other assurance services, including New Zealand circulations and payroll assurance.

C

Includes services relating to transactional advice, tax compliance services.

D

Includes Treasury advisory services in 2018 and due diligence and advisory services relating to the proposed

merger with Stuff Limited in 2017.

2.3 EARNINGS PER SHARE

Significant judgment: Under the Group’s Total Incentive Plan (“TIP”) as discussed in Note 4.3, Performance Rights

were issued to certain participating employees that, for the 2017 TIP, will at the discretion of the Board either

convert into fully paid ordinary shares or be settled in cash; and for the 2016 TIP, will convert into fully paid ordinary

shares. Under the TIP, where Performance Rights are settled in shares, the Company would either repurchase those

shares from the market or issue new shares. Any new shares issued would have a dilutive effect on the Earnings Per

Share calculations noted below. It is currently the intention of the Company to either repurchase shares from the

market or settle the rights in cash and not to issue new shares.

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Reconciliation of earnings used in calculating basic / diluted earnings per share (“EPS”)

Profit attributable to owners of the parent entity

11,735

20,885

Profit attributable to owners of the parent entity used in calculating EPS11,735

20,885

2018

Number

2017

Number

Weighted average number of shares

Weighted average number of shares in the denominator in calculating basic EPS

196,011,282 196,011,282

Adjusted for calculation of diluted EPS

-

-

Weighted average number of shares in the denominator in calculating diluted EPS 196,011,282

196,011,282

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 18
2018

Cents

2017

Cents

Basic / diluted earnings per share

Attributable to owners of the parent entity

6.0

10.7

Total basic / diluted earnings per share attributable to owners of the parent entity6.0

10.7

Accounting policies

Basic earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is determined by dividing:

• the profit or loss attributable to owners of the Company; by

• the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the financial year, adjusted for

bonus elements in ordinary shares issued during the financial year.

Diluted earnings per share

Diluted earnings per share adjusts the figures used in the determination of basic earnings per share by taking into

account:

• the after-tax effect of dividends, interest and other changes in income or expense associated with

dilutive potential ordinary shares; and

• the weighted average number of additional ordinary shares that would have been outstanding

assuming the conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

(Note that there are no dilutive potential ordinary shares in 2018 (2017: nil))

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 19
2.4 SEGMENT INFORMATION

2.4.1 Determination and description of segments

Significant judgments: The Group has one reportable segment – being “Integrated Media and Entertainment”. All

significant operating decisions are based upon analysis of NZME as one operating segment. The Executive Team

and the Board of Directors have been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The Group’s major products

and services are split by channel only at the revenue level into Print, Radio & Experiential and Digital & e-Commerce

which is the way in which revenue is reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. Although the Group operates

in many different markets within New Zealand, for management reporting purposes the Group operates in one

principle geographical area being New Zealand as a whole.

Integrated Media and Entertainment incorporates the sale of advertising, goods and services generated from the

audiences attached to the Group’s media platforms.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 20
2.4.2 Segment revenues and results

The segment information provided to the Directors and Executive Team for the year ended 31 December 2018 is as follows:

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Revenues from external customers by channel

Print

211,599

221,319

Radio & Experiential

113,302

110,071

Digital & e-Commerce

59,954

56,327

Segment revenue from integrated media and entertainment activities384,855

3 87,7 17

Revenue from shared services centre

3,414

2,971

Total revenues from external customers388,269

390,688

Dividend income

143

128

Rental income from sub-leases

516

632

Expenses from operations before finance costs, depreciation, amortisation

and exceptional items

(334,200)

(325,280)

Total Segment Adjusted EBITDA

A

54,728

66,168

Depreciation and amortisation

(24,555)

(24,946)

Interest income

80

139

Finance cost

(4,636)

(4,497)

Exceptional items

Loss on disposal of properties

B

(59)

(248)

Redundancies and associated costs

C

(5,289)

(4,314)

Costs in relation to one off projects

D

(1,632)

(2,970)

Impairment of Financial Asset

E

(2,249)

-

Profit / (Loss) before tax from continuing operations16,388

29,332

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 21
A

Adjusted Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (Adjusted EBITDA) from continuing operations

which excludes exceptional items, is a non-GAAP measure that represents the Group’s total segment result which is

regularly monitored by the Chief Operating Decision Maker. Exceptional items are those gains, losses, income and

expense items that are not directly related to the primary business activities of the Group which are determined

in accordance with the NZME Exceptional Items Recognition Framework adopted by the Audit & Risk Committee.

Exceptional items include redundancies, impairment, one-off projects and the disposal of properties or businesses.

These items are excluded from the segment result that is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker.

B

Loss on disposal of properties is the final adjustment on Greymouth land in 2018 and the loss on sale of land in

Ouruhia and Greymouth in 2017.

C

The redundancies and associated costs relate to the restructuring and integration of the New Zealand operations.

D

2018 costs relate to the provision for historical pay adjustments, residual costs in relation to the Stuff Limited merger

appeal and one off project costs. 2017 costs primarily relate to external consultants assisting with the proposed

merger with Stuff Limited and the continuing integration and co-location of NZME.

E

Impairment costs are in relation to the investment in Ratebroker (see note 6.3.2).

As the Group has one operating segment, the assets and liabilities as reported on the consolidated balance sheet are also

the segment assets and liabilities, and the income tax expense in the consolidated income statement is also the segment

income tax.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 22
3.1 INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Significant judgment: The Directors have determined that masthead brands and brands have indefinite lives and

are therefore not amortised. Refer to the accounting policies below for further information.

Goodwill

$’000

Software

$’000

Masthead

Brands

$’000

Radio

Licences

$’000

Brands

$’000

To t a l

$’000

As at 1 January 2017

Cost166,39749,309146,9767 7,4 5759,079

499,218

Accumulated amortisation and impairment(95,614)(38,439)-(35,389)-

(169,442)

Net book value

70,78310,870146,97642,06859,079

329,776

For the year ended 31 December 2017

Opening net book amount70,78310,870146,97642,06859,079

329,776

Additions -1,932-90-

2,022

Disposals-----

-

Amortisation-(6,434)-(2,953)-

(9,387)

Transfers from capitalised work in progress-8,142---

8,142

Net book value

70,78314,510146,97639,20559,079

330,553

As at 31 December 2017

Cost166,39759,384146,9767 7,5 4759,079

509,383

Accumulated amortisation and impairment(95,614)(44,874)-(38,342)-

(178,830)

Net book value

70,78314,510146,97639,20559,079

330,553

For the year ended 31 December 2018

Opening net book amount70,78314,510146,97639,20559,079

330,553

Additions -2,103---

2 ,103

Disposals-----

-

Amortisation-(6,935)-(2,956)-

(9,891)

Transfers from capitalised work in progress-7,14 6---

7,14 6

Net book value

70,78316,824146,97636,24959,079

329,911

As at 31 December 2018

Cost166,39768,633146,9767 7,5 4759,079

518,632

Accumulated amortisation and impairment(95,614)(51,809)-(41,298)-

(188,721)

Net book value

70,78316,824146,97636,24959,079

329,911

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.0 OPERATING ASSETS & LIABILITIES

Page 23
Accounting policies

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net

identifiable assets of the acquired business at the date of the acquisition. Goodwill is not amortised but rather is

subject to periodic impairment testing (refer to note 3.1.1 below).

Software

Costs incurred in developing systems, acquiring software and licences are capitalised to software.

Costs capitalised include materials, services, payroll and payroll related costs of employees involved in the

development. Amortisation is calculated on a straight line basis over the useful life of the asset (typically 3 to 10

years).

Radio licences

Commercial radio licences are accounted for as identifiable assets and are initially recognised at cost. The current

New Zealand radio licences expire on 31 March 2031 and are being amortised on a straight line basis to that date.

Masthead brands

Masthead brands, being the titles, logo’s and similar items of the integrated media assets of the Group are

accounted for as identifiable assets and are initially recognised at cost. The Directors believe the masthead brands

have indefinite lives as there is no foreseeable limit over which they are expected to generate net cash inflows for

the Group. Accordingly, masthead brands are not amortised but are tested for impairment each year (refer to note

3.1.1 below).

Brands

Brands are accounted for as identifiable assets and are initially recognised at cost. The Directors have considered

the geographic location, legal, technical and other commercial factors likely to impact the assets’ useful lives and

consider that they have indefinite lives. Accordingly, brands are not amortised but are tested for impairment each

year (refer to note 3.1.1 below).

3.1.1 Year-end impairment review

Significant judgment: As disclosed in note 2.4 the Directors have determined that the Group has one reportable

segment – being “Integrated Media and Entertainment”. The Directors have also determined that this is the only

cash generating unit (“CGU”) for impairment testing because this is the lowest level for which there are separately

identifiable cash inflows which are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.

Accordingly all goodwill and intangibles with indefinite useful lives are allocated to one CGU. This note also

includes details of certain key estimates and assumptions made during the impairment testing process.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 24
A comprehensive impairment review was conducted at 31 December 2018. The recoverable amount of the CGU (which

includes goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets) is determined based on the higher of fair value less costs to sell

and value in use calculations using management budgets and forecasts. The recoverable amount of the CGU is compared

against the carrying value of the CGU to determine whether there has been impairment.

Key estimates and assumptions

20182018

20172017

Post-tax

discount rate

Long-term

growth rate

Post-tax

discount rate

Long-term

growth rate

Integrated Media and Entertainment CGU9.5%0.0%9.5%0.0%

Forecast prepared over the forecast period (2019 – 2023)

The forecasts used in impairment testing have been prepared by management for that specific purpose. Actual

results may differ materially from those forecast or implied. The forecasts are not, and should not be read as, a

forecast of, or guidance as to, the future financial performance and earnings of the Group.

Revenue forecasts are prepared based on management’s current expectations, with consideration given to internal

information and relevant external industry data and analysis. In particular:

• Print revenues are forecast to decline in line with management expectations for this channel.

• Digital revenues, excluding sums forecasted to be received from the Digital Classifieds, are forecast to grow in

line with management expectations for this channel.

• Radio and experiential revenues are forecast to grow by between 3.0% and 5.1% each year.

• Revenue from Digital Classifieds launched in 2018 is expected to increase over time. The average revenue

forecast for the purposes of impairment assessment is $6.5 million per year over the forecast period.

• Expenses are forecast to reduce by between 2.9% and 1.5% each year.

Based on the above assumptions the directors have not identified any impairment. The recoverable amount of the CGU

exceeds its carrying amount by $16 million.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 25
3.1.2 Impact of reasonably possible change in key assumptions

The forecasts used in impairment testing require assumptions and judgments about the future, such as discount rates, long

term growth rates, forecasted revenues, to which the model is sensitive and which are inherently uncertain.

Management have identified the following reasonably possible changes to key assumptions which could result in

impairment:

• Radio revenues grow at a lower rate than expected.

• Digital Classifieds revenues grow at a lower rate than expected.

• Cost reduction is not at the forecasted level.

The following changes in the assumptions would be required to cause the recoverable amount of CGU to be equal to its

carrying amount.

• A reduction in radio revenue forecasts of 0.4% to a range between 2.6% to 4.7%.

• A reduction in the average Digital Classifieds revenue forecast to $4.6m per year over the five year forecast

period.

• Forecast cost reductions are smaller by a total of $7.5 million over the five year forecast period.

Note: the above disclosure assumes that each of the changes is in isolation and assumes that all other factors are

consistent.

The Group compares the net book value of assets with the market capitalisation value at each balance date. The share

price at 31 December 2018 was $0.50 equating to a market capitalisation of $98.0 million. This market value excludes any

control premium and may not reflect the value of 100% of NZME’s net assets. The book value of NZME’s net assets at 31

December 2018 was $286.6 million ($1.46 per share). Management considered the reasons for this difference, whether all

relevant factors had been allowed for in their value in use model, and engaged a third party expert to assist in validating

their assessment of the recoverable amount.

Accounting policy

Goodwill and intangible assets that have an indefinite useful life are not subject to amortisation and are tested

annually for impairment and at the end of each reporting period if there is an indication that they may be impaired.

Intangible assets that are subject to amortisation are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in

circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may exceed its recoverable amount. An impairment charge is

recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable amount. The recoverable

amount is the higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value in use. For the purposes of assessing

impairment, assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are separately identifiable cash inflows which

are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets (cash-generating units). Currently,

the group has only one CGU, being Integrated Media and Entertainment. Non-financial intangible assets, other

than goodwill, that suffer impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting date.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 26
3.2 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Freehold

land

A

$’000

Buildings

A

$’000

Plant and

equipment

$’000

To t a l

$’000

As at 1 January 2017

Cost or fair value1,38114,562329,569

345,512

Accumulated depreciation and impairment-(2,217)(274,7 79)

(276,996)

Net book amount

1,38112,34554,790

68,516

Year ended 31 December 2017

Opening net book amount1,38112,34554,790

68,516

Additions-2733,076

3,349

Disposals(216)(8)(60)

(284)

Depreciation-(2,302)(13,257)

(15,559)

Transfers from capitalised work in progress-(29)38

9

Net book amount

1,16510,27944,587

56,031

As at 31 December 2017

Cost or fair value1,16514,764330,021

345,950

Accumulated depreciation and impairment-(4,485)(285,434)

(289,919)

Net book amount

1,16510,27944,587

56,031

Year ended 31 December 2018

Opening net book amount1,16510,27944,587

56,031

Additions-23626

649

Disposals-(89)-

(89)

Depreciation-(1,780)(12,884)

(14,664)

Transfers from capitalised work in progress-105,208

5,218

Net book amount

1,1658,44337,537

47,14 5

As at 31 December 2018

Cost or fair value1,16514,697335,602

351,464

Accumulated depreciation and impairment-(6,254)(298,065)

(304,319)

Net book amount

1,1658,44337,537

47,14 5

A

Freehold land and buildings include leasehold improvements with a net book value of $8,311,993 (2017: $9,901,993)

carried at cost. All other freehold land and buildings are held at fair value based on independent valuations. If land

and buildings were stated on the historical cost basis, the net book value of land would have been $442,270 (2017:

$442,270) and the net book value of buildings would have been $327,038 (2017: $336,973). The last revaluation was

performed for the year ended 31 December 2015.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 27
3.2.1 Capital work in progress

2018

$'000

2017

$'000

As at 1 January8,694

7,16 0

Additions

12,428

9,685

Transfers to intangible assets

( 7,14 6)

(8,142)

Transfers to property plant and equipment

(5,218)

(9)

As at 31 December8,758

8,694

Capital work in progress, which historically was included under property, plant and equipment, is transferred to the

relevant asset category once the project is completed. Capitalised work in progress is not depreciated or amortised prior

to being transferred to the relevant asset category.

Accounting policies

Land is not depreciated. Depreciation on other assets is calculated using the straight line method to allocate their

cost or revalued amounts, net of their residual values, over their estimated useful lives, as follows:

• Furniture and fittings • 3 to 25 years

• Buildings • 10 to 50 years

• Leasehold improvements • 2.5 to 50 years

• Motor vehicles • 5 to 10 years

• Plant & equipment • 1.5 to 25 years

The assets’ residual values and useful lives are reviewed and adjusted, if appropriate, at each balance sheet date.

Gains and losses on disposals are determined by comparing proceeds with carrying amount and are included in

the income statement.

Land and buildings (excluding leasehold improvements) are recorded at fair value, based on periodic valuations by

external independent valuers, less subsequent depreciation for buildings. Independent valuations are performed

with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying value of assets is materially consistent with their fair value.

Any accumulated depreciation at the date of revaluation is eliminated against the gross carrying amount of the

asset and the net amount is restated to the revalued amount of the asset. Increases in the carrying amounts arising

on revaluation of land and buildings are credited to revaluation reserves in equity. To the extent that the increase

reverses a decrease previously recognised in the income statement, the increase is first recognised in the income

statement. Decreases that reverse previous increases of the same asset are first charged against the revaluation

reserves directly in equity to the extent of the remaining reserve attributable to the asset. All other decreases are

charged to the income statement.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 28
Plant and equipment, furniture and fittings and motor vehicles are stated at historical cost less depreciation.

Historical cost includes expenditure that is directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs

are included in the assets carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is

probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can

be reliably measured. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the income statement during the financial

period in which they are incurred.

Impairment of assets

An asset’s carrying amount is written down immediately to its recoverable amount if the asset’s carrying amount

is greater than its estimated recoverable amount. Assets that are subject to depreciation are tested for impairment

whenever changes in circumstances indicate that the asset’s carrying amount may exceed its recoverable amount.

An impairment charge is recognised for the amount by which the asset’s carrying amount exceeds its recoverable

amount. Assets that suffer an impairment are reviewed for possible reversal of the impairment at each reporting

date.

3.3 TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Trade receivables

48,153

44,811

Provision for impairment

(766)

(592)

47,3 87

44,219

Amounts due from related companies (note 7.1.2)

940

1,028

Other receivables and prepayments

10,367

10,076

Total current trade and other receivables58,694

55,323

Movements in the provision for impairment are as follows:

Balance at beginning of the year

592

1,042

Provision for impairment expense

566

430

Receivables written off

(392)

(880)

Provision for impairment766

592

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 29
3.3.1 Classification

Trade receivables are amounts due from customers for goods sold or services performed in the ordinary course of

business. Receivables and other financial assets are classified as subsequently measured at amortised cost on the basis

of both the Group’s business model for managing the financial assets and the contractual cash flow characteristics of the

financial asset. If collection of the amounts is expected in one year or less they are classified as current assets.

3.3.2 Fair values of trade and other receivables

Due to the short-term nature of the current receivables, their carrying amount is considered to be the same as their fair

value.

3.3.3 Impairment and risk exposure

The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the higher of the carrying value and fair value of each

receivable. The Group does not hold any collateral as security. Refer to note 4.8.3 for credit risk and note and 4.9 for fair

value information.

Accounting policies

Trade receivables are recognised initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the

effective interest method, less provision for impairment.

Receivables are monitored on an individual basis and the Group considers the probability of default upon initial

recognition of the receivable and throughout the period and provides for receivables expected to be impaired.

The amount of loss is recognised in the income statement within other expenses. When a trade receivable is

uncollectible, it is written off against the provision account for trade receivables. Subsequent recoveries of

amounts previously written off are credited against other income in the income statement.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 30
3.4 TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Current payables

Lease liability

A

833

833

Amounts due to related companies (note 7.1.2)

359

1,194

Employee entitlements

7,73 2

7, 2 11

Trade payables and accruals

43,112

47,6 56

Total current trade and other payables52,036

56,894

Non-current payable

Lease liability

A

13,665

13,565

Total non-current trade and other payables13,665

13,565

A

Lease liability includes lease incentives received on operating leases.

Refer to note 4.8 for information regarding risk exposure, note 4.9 for further fair value considerations and note 4.6 for

lease commitments.

Accounting policies

Trade and other payables

Trade payables, including accruals not yet billed, are recognised when the Group becomes obliged to make future

payments as a result of a purchase of assets or services. Trade payables are carried at amortised cost which is

the fair value of the consideration to be paid in the future for goods and services received. Trade payables are

unsecured and are generally settled within 30 to 45 days.

Leases

Operating leases are other leases under which all the risks and benefits of ownership are effectively retained

by the lessor. Operating lease payments, excluding contingent payments are charged to the income statement

on a straight line basis over the period of the lease, net of lease incentives, which are classified as payables and

amortised over the life of the associated lease.

Lease incentives are presented as part of the lease liabilities and are recognised in the income statement on a

straight line basis over the lease term.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 31
Employee entitlements

a) Wages and salaries and annual leave

Liabilities for wages and salaries, including non-monetary benefits and annual leave expected to be wholly settled

within 12 months from the reporting date are recognised in payables and accruals in respect of employees’ services

up to the reporting date and are measured at the amounts expected to be paid when the liabilities are settled.

Amounts to be settled more than 12 months after the reporting date are recognised as a non-current payable.

Liabilities for non-accumulating sick leave are recognised when the leave is taken and measured at the rates paid or

payable.

b) Short-term incentive plans

A liability for short-term incentives is recognised in trade payables when there is an expectation of settlement and

at least one of the following conditions is met:

• there are contracted terms in the plan for determining the amount of the benefit;

• the amounts to be paid are determined before the time of completion of the financial statements; or

• past practice gives clear evidence of the amount of the obligation.

Liabilities for short-term incentives are expected to be settled within 12 months and are recognised at the amounts

to be paid when they are settled.

Refer to note 4.3 for disclosures relating to share based payments and note 7.1.1 for key management

compensation.

3.5 NET TANGIBLE ASSETS

Net tangible assets per share is a non-GAAP measure that is required to be disclosed by the NZX Listing Rules.

The calculation of the Group’s net tangible assets per share and its reconciliation to the consolidated balance sheet is

presented below:

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

As at 31 December

Total assets

462,777

468,085

Less intangible assets

(329,911)

(330,553)

Less total liabilities

(176,141)

(179,053)

Net tangible assets(43,275)

(41,521)

Number of shares issued (in thousands)

196,011

196,011

Net tangible assets per share (in $)($0.22)

($0.21)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 32
4.2 RESERVES

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Share based payments reserve


Balance at the beginning of the year

1,369

144

Share based payment expense


581

1,225

Balance at end of the year


1,950

1,369

Asset revaluation reserve

Balance at beginning of the year

722

722

Balance at end of year722

722

Foreign currency translation reserve

Balance at beginning of the year

294

309

Net exchange difference on translation of foreign operations

32

(15)

Balance at end of year326

294

Transactions with non-controlling interests reserve

Balance at beginning of the year

-

(6,373)

Transfer to retained earnings

-

6,373

Balance at end of year-

-

Total reserves2,998

2,385

4.1 SHARE CAPITAL

2018

Number

2017

Number

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Authorised, issued and paid up share capital

Balance at the beginning of the year

196,011

196,011

360,363

360,363

Balance at the end of the period196,011

196,011

360,363

360,363

Accounting policy

Ordinary shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of new shares or options

are shown in equity as a deduction, net of tax, from the proceeds.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.0 CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

Page 33
4.3 SHARE BASED PAYMENTS

20182017

Average

price per right

(Cents)

Number

of rights

Average

price per right

(Cents)

Number

of rights

As at 1 January

0.58 2,647,644

0.58 745,301

Granted (2016 TIP)

A

- -

0.58 70,236

Granted (2017 TIP)

B

0.90 (366,508)

0.90 1,933,927

Forfeited

C

- -

0.58 (101,820)

Exercised

- -

- -

As at 31 December 0.80 2,281,136

0.81 2,647,644

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.2.1 Nature and purpose of reserves

Share based payments reserve

The share based payments reserve is used to recognise the fair value of the performance rights issued but not yet vested

as described in note 4.3.

Asset revaluation reserve

The asset revaluation reserve is used to record increments and decrements on the revaluation of non-current assets, as

described in note 3.2. In the event of the sale of an asset, the revaluation surplus is transferred to retained earnings.

Foreign currency translation reserve

Exchange differences arising on translation of any foreign controlled entities are taken to the foreign currency translation

reserve, as described in the basis of preparation.

Transactions with non-controlling interests reserve

The 2017 movement was the transfer to another category of equity as there were no non-controlling interests in the

Company at 31 December 2017.

Page 34
A

Included in the number of rights granted for the year ended 31 December 2017 are 70,236 rights granted at a price

of $0.58 per right relating to the 2016 TIP based on the final number of rights approved by the Board in March 2017.

Under the 2016 Plan, the participants will be entitled to additional shares (not reflected in the rights above) when

the rights are exercised (on 31 December 2019) for any dividends foregone during the period 1 January 2017 to 31

December 2019. For dividends declared during the period 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018, this will result in an

additional 81,568 shares being issued to the participants (2017: 96,862).

B

The number of shares granted in 2017 in respect of the 2017 TIP was an estimate based on information available at

the time the Financial Statements were prepared. In 2018 the actual shares to be granted were determined with the

sum being lower than originally calculated.

C

Two participants in the 2016 TIP departed in 2017 prior to the completion of the Service Period and forfeited their

rights under the 2016 TIP.

Share rights outstanding at the end of the year have the following expiry date and fair value at grant date:

Performance rights

Value of right

at grant date

(Cents)

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Grant dateVesting date

20 December 201631 Dec 2017 0.58

414

414

25 September 201731 Dec 2018 0.90

1,411

1,741

As at 31 December1,825

2,155

Share based payment expense recognised

in the current period (refer to note 4.2)

581

1,225

20182017

Weighted average remaining time until rights outstanding

at the end of the period vest

12 months12 months

Weighted average remaining time until rights outstanding

at the end of the period automatically converts to ordinary

shares

21 months34 months

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 35
% of EBITDA% of target opportunity awarded

< 95%0%

> 95% to 100%Pro-rata vesting between 25% and 100%

> 100% to 110%Pro-rata vesting between 100% and 150%

% of BU Goal achieved% of target opportunity awarded

< 95%25%

> 95% to 100%Pro-rata vesting between 25% and 100%

> 100% to 110%Pro-rata vesting between 100% and 150%

4.3.1 Background

Total incentive plan (“TIP”)

The TIP is designed to align the reward outcomes with the shareholders’ interest and to support the achievement

of the Group’s business strategy and was approved by the Board on 20 December 2016. Under the TIP, and at the

absolute discretion of the Board, the CEO and other executive key management personnel are eligible to participate

in the TIP. Eligible participants have a target award opportunity, which varies between 50% and 100% of fixed

remuneration, depending on the participant’s role and responsibilities. A new TIP opportunity will be offered at the

commencement of each financial year. The award is dependent on performance over a one year period (“performance

period”) and there is no opportunity for retesting. Performance is formally evaluated after the date that the full year

financial performance is announced to the market.

4.3.2 2018 TIP

No TIP has been offered for the 2018 Financial Year.

4.3.3 2017 TIP

Performance measures


Financial performance conditions (50%): Performance will be measured against earnings before interest, tax,

depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”). This portion is determined based on actual EBITDA against budgeted

EBITDA on the following scale:


Business Unit Goals (25%):This portion is determined based on actual achievement against Business Unit (“BU”)

Goals on the following scale:

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 36

Individual performance conditions (25%): This portion is determined against individual performance conditions, as

determined for each participant. The TIP award is earned if all of the individual performance conditions have been

achieved, although the Board has discretion to award less than a 100% of the target for partial performance and more

than a 100% of the target for exceptional performance.

Awards under the TIP are granted to participants following the assessment of performance. To the extent that performance

measures are met:


50% of awards are made in cash; and

• 50% of awards are granted in rights to acquire fully paid ordinary shares in the Company for nil consideration

(“Rights”).

The performance period for the 2017 awards is a twelve month period which commenced on 1 January 2017. Subject to

remaining employed by the Company for a further one year period following the performance period (“service period”),

rights will vest. The vested rights cannot be exercised for a further two years (“deferral period”). Vested rights will

automatically convert into ordinary shares for nil consideration at the end of the deferral period without the requirement

for the participant to exercise their rights. At the discretion of the Board, validly exercised rights may be satisfied in cash,

rather than in shares. Participants are not entitled to receive any dividends for the rights they hold, but the Board may,

at its sole discretion, allocate shares or make a cash payment to participants equal to the value of dividends that were

payable whilst holding the unvested and / or vested rights. The Company may reduce unvested equity awards in certain

circumstances such as gross misconduct, material misstatement or fraud. The Board may also reduce unvested awards

to recover amounts where performance that led to payments being awarded is later determined to have been incorrectly

measured or not sustained. Awards are normally forfeited if the participant leaves before the end of the performance

period, except in limited circumstances that are approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis. If a participant leaves

during the service period, the rights that will vest will be determined on a pro-rata basis based on when they leave during

the service period. If a participant leaves during the deferral period, no rights will be forfeited, but rights will still only

convert into ordinary shares at the end of the deferral period.

The fair value of the rights at grant date was estimated based on the NZME share price as at 25 September 2017, being the

date after the Board approved the TIP and the terms were communicated to the eligible participants. The number of rights

awarded are based on the Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s shares for the first 5 trading days of

the Performance Period.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 37
• Performance Period1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017

• Service Period1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018

• Vesting Period (being the Performance Period and the Service Period)1 January 2017 to 31 December 2018

• Deferral Period1 January 2019 to 31 December 2020

• Share price at grant date90 cents

• VWAP59.4 cents

It is assumed that all participating employees will remain employed with the Company until the end of the vesting period.

4.3.4 2016 TIP

Performance measures

• Financial performance conditions (75%): Performance will be measured against earnings before interest, tax,

depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”). This portion is determined based on actual EBITDA against budgeted EBITDA

on the following scale:

% of EBITDA% of target opportunity awarded

< 95%0%

> 95% to 100%Pro-rata vesting between 25% and 100%

> 100% to 110%Pro-rata vesting between 100% and 150%

• 50% of awards are made in cash; and

• 50% of awards are granted in rights to acquire fully paid ordinary shares in the Company for nil consideration

("Rights").

• Non-financial performance conditions (25%) : Performance will be measured against specific measures, as determined

for each participant at the commencement of the performance period.

• Awards under the TIP are granted to participants following the assessment of performance. To the extent that

performance measures are met:

Model inputs

The following is a summary of the key inputs in calculating the share-based payment expense under the 2017 TIP:

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 38
The performance period for the 2016 awards is a 6 month period which commenced on 1 July 2016. Going forward,

the performance period will be a 12 month period commencing at the start of the financial year. Subject to remaining

employed by the Company for a further one year period following the performance period (“service period”), rights will

vest and will be kept in trust for a further two years (“deferral period”). Vested rights will automatically convert into ordinary

shares for nil consideration at the end of the deferral period without the requirement for the participant to exercise their

rights. Participants will receive an additional allocation of shares when rights are exercised equal to the dividends paid on

vested rights over the vesting period and the deferral period. The Company may reduce unvested equity awards in certain

circumstances such as gross misconduct, material misstatement or fraud. The Board may also reduce unvested awards

to recover amounts where performance that led to payments being awarded is later determined to have been incorrectly

measured or not sustained. Awards are normally forfeited if the participant leaves before the end of the performance

period, except in limited circumstances that are approved by the Board on a case-by-case basis. If a participant leaves

during the service period, the rights that will vest will be determined on a pro-rata basis based on when they leave during

the service period. If a participant leaves during the deferral period, no rights will be forfeited, but rights will still only

convert into ordinary shares at the end of the deferral period.

The fair value of the rights at grant date was estimated based on the NZME share price as at 20 December 2016, being the

date after the Board approved the TIP and the terms were communicated to the eligible participants. The number of rights

awarded are based on the Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) of the Company’s shares for the first 5 trading days of

the performance period.

Model inputs

The following is a summary of the key inputs in calculating the share-based payment expense under the 2016 TIP:

• Performance Period1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016

• Service Period1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017

• Vesting Period (being the Performance Period and the Service Period)1 July 2016 to 31 December 2017

• Deferral Period1 January 2018 to 31 December 2019

• Share price at grant date58 cents

• VWAP70 cents

It is assumed that all participating employees will remain employed with the Company until the end of the vesting period.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 39
Accounting policies

Total incentive plan (TIP)

The fair value of rights granted under the TIP plan is recognised as an employee benefits expense with a

corresponding increase in equity over the vesting period, being the performance period and the service period. The

fair value is measured at grant date and the number of rights are determined using the volume weighted average

price of NZME’s shares on the NZX over the first 5 trading days of the performance period.

The fair value at grant date is determined taking into account the share price, any market performance conditions

and any non-vesting conditions, but excluding the impact of any service and non-market performance vesting

conditions.

Non-market vesting conditions are included in assumptions about the number of rights that are expected to

vest. At each reporting date, the Group revises its estimate of the number of rights that are expected to become

exercisable.

The employee benefits expense recognised each period takes into account the most recent estimate. The impact of

the revision to the original estimates, is recognised in profit or loss with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

4.4 DIVIDENDS

4.4.1 Dividends paid


On 21 February 2018, the Board of Directors declared a fully imputed final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2017

of 6 cents per share, paid on 3 May 2018 to registered shareholders as at 18 April 2018 (total sum paid $11,761,000). The

Board of Directors also declared a supplementary dividend of 1.06 cents per share, paid on 3 May 2018 to registered

shareholders as at 18 April 2018, to those shareholders who are not tax residents in New Zealand and who hold less than

10% of the shares in the Company (total sum paid $1,404,000). On 22 August 2018, the Board of Directors declared a fully

imputed interim dividend of 2.0 cents per share, paid on 26 October 2018 to registered shareholders as at 16 October 2018

(total sum paid $3,920,000). The Board of Directors also declared a supplementary dividend of 0.3529 cents per share,

paid on 26 October 2018 to registered shareholders as at 16 October 2018, to those shareholders who are not tax residents

in New Zealand and who hold less than 10% of the shares in the Company (total sum paid $460,000). The payment of a

supplementary dividend effectively puts non-resident shareholders in the position they would have been had they received

imputation credits (which are only available to resident shareholders).

4.4.1 Dividends declared after balance date


On 18 February 2019, the Board of Directors confirmed that NZME Ltd would not be declaring a final dividend for the 2018

financial year.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 40
4.4.3 Franking and imputation credits

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Imputation credits available for subsequent reporting periods based on the New Zealand 28% tax

rate for the Group

NZ$ 8,259

NZ$ 8,519

Franking credits available to the Company for subsequent reporting periods based on the

Australian 30% tax rate for the Group

AU$ 0

A

AU$ 0

A

A

Although the Company does not have any franking credits available for use, other entities within the Group have

AU$10,828,676 (2017:AU$10,828,676) available that might become available to the Company in future periods.

4.5 Interest bearing liabilities

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Non-current interest bearing liabilities

Bank loans – secured

110,500

100,000

Deduct:

Capitalised borrowing costs

(508)

(212)

Total non-current interest bearing liabilities109,992

99,788

Net debt

Non-current interest bearing liabilities

110,500

100,000

Capitalised borrowing costs

(508)

(212)

Cash and cash equivalents

(11,717)

(9,570)

Total debt less cash and cash equivalents98,275

90,218

The change in the bank loans - secured balance for the year ended 31 December 2018 of $10,500,000 is due to proceeds

from borrowings / repayments of borrowings as reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The change in

capitalised borrowing costs of $507,760 for the year ended 31 December 2018 is due to the new costs incurred in relation

to the new loan facility and the amortisation of those capitalised borrowing costs over the period of the loan.

The Group is funded from a combination of its own cash reserves and NZ$150 million bilateral bank loan facility, which

NZME refinanced on 21 November 2018, of which $110.5 million (2017: $100 million) is drawn and $39.5 million (2017: $60

million) is undrawn as at 31 December 2018. The new facility limit will step down by $10 million annually from 1 January

2020. This facility expires on 1 January 2022.

The interest rate for the drawn facility is the applicable bank screen rate plus credit margin.

The NZME Bilateral Facilities contain undertakings which are customary for a facility of this nature including, but not limited

to, provision of information, negative pledge and restrictions on priority indebtedness and disposals of assets. The assets

of the Group are collateral for the interest bearing liability.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 41
In addition, the Group must comply with financial covenants (a net debt to EBITDA ratio and an EBITDA to net interest

expense ratio) for each 12 month period ending on 30 June and 31 December. The Group has complied with these

covenants.

Accounting policies

Borrowings are initially recognised at fair value less attributable transaction costs and subsequently measured at

amortised cost. Any difference between cost and redemption value is recognised in the income statement over the

period of the borrowing on an effective interest basis.

Costs incurred in connection with the arrangement of borrowings are deferred and amortised over the period of the

borrowing. These costs are netted off against the carrying value of borrowings in the balance sheet.


4.6 COMMITMENTS

4.6.1 Lease commitments

The group leases certain premises under operating leases. The leases have varying terms, escalation clauses and renewal

rights. Excess space is sub-let to third parties under non-cancellable operating leases.

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Commitments for minimum lease payments in relation to rental commitments

contracted for at the reporting date and not recognised as liabilities, payable:

Not later than one year

16,332

16,389

Later than one year but not later than five years

55,014

48,973

Later than five years

55,336

62,185

Commitments not recognised in the financial statements126,682

127,5 47

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 42
4.7 CASH FLOW INFORMATION

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Reconciliation of cash

Cash at end of the year, as shown in the statements of cash flows, comprises:

Cash and cash equivalents11,717

9,570

Reconciliation of net cash inflows (outflows) from

operating activities to profit / (loss) for the year:

Profit / (loss) for the year

11,572

20,885

Depreciation and amortisation expense

24,555

24,946

Borrowing cost amortisation

119

106

Non-cash lease transactions

99

142

Net loss on sale of non-current assets

59

216

Change in current / deferred tax payable

(9,263)

2,837

Revaluation / impairment of financial assets

2,249

-

Share based payment expense

581

1,225

Changes in assets and liabilities net of effect of acquisitions:

Trade and other receivables

(2,801)

(187)

Inventories

61

299

Prepayments

(571)

(1,505)

Trade and other payables and employee benefits

(4,818)

(9,509)

Net cash inflows / (outflows) from operating activities21,842

39,455

Accounting policy

For the purposes of presentation on the statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand

and short term deposits held at call with finance institutions, net of bank overdrafts.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 43
4.8 FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT

4.8.1 Capital and risk management

The Group’s objectives when managing capital are to:


Safeguard their ability to continue as a going concern, so that they can continue to provide returns for shareholders

and benefits for other stakeholders; and

• Maintain an optimal capital structure to reduce the cost of capital.

In order to maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may adjust the amount of dividends paid to shareholders,

return capital to shareholders, issue new shares or sell assets to reduce debt.

Refer to note 4.5 for undrawn facilities to which the group has access to as well as the net debt calculation that is used by

the group to manage capital requirements.

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including interest rate risk, and price risk), credit

risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets

and seeks to minimise potential adverse effects on the financial performance of the Group. The Group uses different

methods to measure different types of risk to which it is exposed. These methods include sensitivity analysis in the case of

interest rate and ageing analysis for credit risk.

Financial risk management is carried out by the Group Treasury function. The Group Treasury function meet regularly with

the Group CFO to cover specific areas, such as interest rate risk and credit risk, use of derivative financial instruments and

non-derivative financial instruments, and investment of excess liquidity. Due to the Group’s limited operations in foreign

jurisdictions, the Group does not have a significant foreign exchange exposure.

4.8.2 Market risk

Cash flow and fair value interest rate risk

Long term borrowings issued at variable rates expose the Group to cash flow interest rate risk. Borrowings issued at fixed

interest rates expose the Group to fair value interest rate risk. The Group makes decisions regarding variable or fixed rate

debt as and when debt contracts are entered into. Current interest bearing debt is fixed for 30 days on a rolling basis.

Based on the outstanding net floating debt at 31 December 2018, a change in interest rates of +/-1% per annum with all

other variables being constant would impact post-tax profit and equity by $1.1 million lower / higher (2017: $1.0 million

lower/higher).

Price risk

The Group is not exposed to significant price risk. There is some risk associated with other financial assets however this is

not deemed to be significant as other financial assets are categorised as level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and have been

impaired, where applicable, to the present value of expected future cash flows.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 44
4.8.3 Credit risk

Credit risk is managed on a Group basis. Credit risk arises from cash and cash equivalents and deposits with banks and

financial institutions, as well as credit exposures to wholesale and retail customers, including outstanding receivables

and committed transactions. For banks and financial institutions, the creditworthiness is assessed prior to entering into

arrangements and approved by the Board. For other customers, NZME’s credit control department assesses the credit

quality, taking into account financial position, past experience and other factors. The utilisation of credit limits is regularly

monitored and the Group does not normally obtain collateral from its customers.

The table below sets out additional information about the credit quality of trade receivables net of the provision for

doubtful debts:

Past due

Current

$’000

Less than one

month

$’000

One to three

months

$’000

Three to six

months

$’000

Over six

months

$’000

Total

$’000

2018

Expected loss rate0.0%0.7%

4.6%11.9%42.0%

Trade Receivables31,16811,802

2,4931,868822

48,153

Impaired receivables(84)

(115)(222)(345)

(766)

31,16811,718

2,3781,646477

47,3 87

Past due

Current

$’000

Less than one

month

$’000

One to three

months

$’000

Three to six

months

$’000

Over six

months

$’000

Total

$’000

2017

Expected loss rate0.0%0.6%

4.6%13.7%3 7. 2 %

Trade Receivables30,30810,601

1,9291,258715

44,811

Impaired receivables(65)

(89)(172)(266)

(592)

30,30810,536

1,8401,086449

44,219

Trade receivables are generally settled within 30 to 45 days. The Directors consider the carrying amount of trade

receivables approximates their net fair value. Receivables are monitored on an individual basis and the company considers

the probability of default upon initial recognition of the receivable and throughout the period and provides for receivables

considered to be impaired.

As of 31 December 2018, trade receivables of $4,501,000 (2017: $3,375,000) were past due but not impaired.

The maximum exposure to credit risk at 31 December 2018 is equal to the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents

and trade and other receivables. The Group is not exposed to any concentrations of credit risk within cash and cash

equivalents or trade and other receivables.

Credit risk further arises in relation to financial guarantees given to certain parties from time to time.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 45
4.8.4 Liquidity risk

Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities, the availability of funding

through an adequate amount of committed credit facilities and the ability to close out market positions. Due to the

dynamic nature of the underlying business, Group Treasury aims at maintaining flexibility in funding by keeping committed

credit lines available. Management monitors rolling forecasts of the Group’s liquidity reserve on the basis of expected cash

flows.

The tables below analyse the Group’s financial liabilities including interest to maturity into relevant maturity groupings

based on the remaining period at the reporting date to the contractual maturity date. The amounts disclosed in the tables

are the contractual undiscounted cash flows.

Less than

one year

$’000

Between one

and two years

$’000

Between two

and five years

$’000

Over

five years

$’000

31 December 2018

Trade payables and accruals43,112 - - -

Bank loans 4,1934,193114,693 -

Gross liability47,3 0 54,193114,693-

Less: interest(4,193)(4,193)(4,193)

Total financial liabilities

43,112 - 110,500-

31 December 2017

Trade payables and accruals47,6 56---

Bank loans 4,0224,022104,022 -

Gross liability51,6784,022104,022-

Less: interest(4,022)(4,022)(4,022)

Total financial liabilities

47,6 56-100,000-

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 46
4.9 FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

The Group measures and recognises the following assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis:

• Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (FVTPL);

• Land and buildings (excluding leasehold improvements).

4.9.1 Fair value hierarchy

NZ IFRS 13 requires disclosure of fair value measurements by level of the following fair value measurement hierarchy:

• Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either

directly or indirectly; and

• Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

4.9.2 Recognised fair value measurements

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Recurring fair value measurements (Level 3)

Financial assets

There are no financial assets carried at fair value. Other financial assets of $3,787,765 (2017:

$5,988,765) are held at cost and therefore have been excluded from this table.

Non-financial assets

Freehold land and buildings

Freehold land

1,165

1,165

Buildings (excluding leasehold improvements)

131

377

Total non-financial assets1,296

1,542

All fair value measurements referred to above are in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy and there were no transfers between

levels. The Group’s policy is to recognise transfers between fair value hierarchy levels as at the end of the reporting period.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 47
4.9.3 Disclosed fair values

The Group also has a number of assets and liabilities which are not measured at fair value but for which fair values are

disclosed in these notes.

The carrying amounts of trade receivables and payables are assumed to approximate their fair values due to their short-

term nature. There are no outstanding non-current receivables as at 31 December 2018 or 31 December 2017 (level 3).

The fair value of interest bearing liabilities disclosed in note 4.5 is estimated by discounting the future contractual cash

flows at the current market interest rates that are available to the group for similar financial instruments. For the period

ending 31 December 2018, the borrowing rates were determined to be between 3.3% and 4.5% (2017: between 3.3% and

4%), depending on the type of borrowing. The fair value of borrowings approximates the carrying amount, as the impact of

discounting is not significant (level 2).

4.9.4 Valuation techniques used to derive at level 2 and 3 fair values

Recurring fair value measurements

The fair value of financial instruments that are not traded in an active market is determined using valuation techniques.

These valuation techniques maximise the use of observable market data where it is available and rely as little as possible

on entity specific estimates. If all significant inputs required to fair value an instrument are observable, the instrument is

included in level 2.

If one or more of the significant inputs is not based on observable market data, the instrument is included in level 3.

The Group obtains independent valuations for its freehold land and buildings (classified as property, plant and equipment

in note 3.2), less subsequent depreciation for buildings, with sufficient regularity to ensure that the carrying value of the

assets is materially consistent with their fair value. All resulting fair value estimates for properties are included as Level 3.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 48
5.1 INCOME TAX

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Reported income tax expense / (benefit) comprises:

Current tax expense / (benefit)

6,318

10,529

Deferred tax expense / (benefit)

(791)

(1,972)

(Over) / under provision in prior years

(711)

(110)

Income tax expense4,816

8,447

Income tax is attributable to:

Profit from continuing operations

4,816

8,447

Total income tax expense4,816

8,447

Income tax expense differs from the amount prima facie payable as follows:

Profit from operations before tax

16,388

29,332

Prima facie income tax at 28%

4,589

8,213

Non assessable asset sales and exempt distribution receipts

(35)

(27)

Non-deductible expenses

980

675

Differences in international tax rates

(7)

(8)

Other

-

(296)

(Over) / under provision in prior years

(711)

(110)

Income tax expense4,816

8,447

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5 .0 TA X AT I O N

Page 49
5.2 DEFERRED TAX

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are attributable to:

Balance

$’000

Recognised

in income

$’000

Recognised

in equity

$’000

Other

movements

$’000

Balance

$’000

2017

Tax credits3---

3

Employee benefits1,433765--

2 ,198

Doubtful debts291(126)--

165

Accruals/restructuring1,102(560)--

542

Intangible assets (529)37--

(492)

Property Plant and Equipment(5,370)1,720--

(3,650)

Other(141)136--

(5)

(3,211)1,972--

(1,239)

2018

Tax credits3---

3

Employee benefits2,198(1,164)--

1,034

Doubtful debts16549--

214

Accruals/restructuring542372--

914

Intangible assets (492)37--

(455)

Property Plant and Equipment(3,650)1,497--

(2 ,153)

Other(5)---

(5)

(1,239)791--

(448)

There are unrecognised tax losses of $1,835,141 (AUD1,744,812) (2017: $1,917,077 (AUD1,744,812)) in an Australian subsidiary

of the Company which have not been recognised as there is uncertainty as to their future recoverability. The deferred tax

asset on these losses was not offset against the deferred tax liabilities of the rest of the Group because they are levied by a

different tax authority.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 50
Accounting policies

The tax expense for the period comprises current and deferred tax. Tax is recognised in the income statement,

except to the extent that it relates to items recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity. In this

case the tax is also recognised in other comprehensive income or directly in equity, respectively.

The current income tax charge is calculated on the basis of the tax laws enacted or substantively enacted at the

balance sheet date in the countries where the company and its subsidiaries operate and generate taxable income.

Management periodically evaluates positions taken in tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax

regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provision where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected

to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred tax is recognised, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases

of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. However, deferred

tax liabilities are not recognised if they arise from the initial recognition of goodwill: deferred income tax is not

accounted for if it arises from initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction other than a business

combination that at the time of the transaction affects neither accounting nor taxable profit or loss. Deferred

income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws) that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance

sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realised or the deferred income

tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profit will be

available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.

Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates,

except for deferred income tax liability where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by

the Group and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax

assets against current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes assets and liabilities relate to income taxes

levied by the same taxation authority on either the same taxable entity or different taxable entities where there is an

intention to settle the balances on a net basis.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 51
6.1 CONTROLLED ENTITIES

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the assets, liabilities and results of the subsidiaries listed below. Unless

otherwise stated, they have share capital consisting solely of ordinary shares that are held directly by the Group, and

the proportion of ownership interest held equals the voting rights held by the Group. All entities are incorporated in, and

operate in, New Zealand unless otherwise stated. There were no changes in control during the year ended 31 December

2018.

2018

Ownership

interest

2017

Ownership

interest

Name of entity

Adhub Limited

C

N/A

100%

ESKY Limited

C

N/A

100%

Grabone Limited

100%

100%

Idea HQ Limited

C

N/A

100%

Mt Maunganui Publishing Co Limited

C

N/A

100%

NZME 2014 Limited

C

N/A

100%

NZME Australia Pty Limited

A

100%

100%

NZME Digital Limited

C

N/A

100%

NZME Educational Media Limited

100%

100%

NZME Finance Limited

C

N/A

100%

NZME Holdings Limited

100%

100%

NZME Investments Limited

100%

100%

NZME Online Limited

C

N/A

100%

NZME Print Limited

100%

100%

NZME Publishing Limited

100%

100%

NZME Radio Investments Limited

100%

100%

NZME Radio Limited

B

100%

100%

NZME Specialist Limited

100%

100%

NZME Trading Limited

C

N/A

100%

Regional Publishers Limited

C

N/A

100%

Sell Me Free Limited

C

N/A

100%

Sella Limited

C

N/A

100%

Stanley Newcomb & Co Limited

C

N/A

100%

The Hive Online Limited

100%

100%

New Zealand Radio Network Limited

100%

100%

The Radio Bureau Limited

100%

100%

Trade Debts Collecting Co Limited

C

N/A

100%

W & H Interactive Limited

C

N/A

100%

OneRoof Limited

D

80%

N/A

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.0 GROUP STRUCTURE AND INVESTMENTS IN OTHER ENTITIES

Page 52
A

Incorporated in, and operates in, Australia.

B

One “Kiwi Share” held by the Minister of Finance. The rights and obligations are set out in the NZME Radio

constitution.

C

Effective 31 May 2018, these entities were amalgamated into NZME Specialist Limited.

D

OneRoof Limited was incorporated on 20 March 2018. On 21 August, the Group transferred 20% of the share

capital in OneRoof Limited to Hougarden.com Limited as consideration for the final payment of $1.1 million for the

acquisition of the platform on which the OneRoof website and related apps are built. The acquisition of the platform

has been treated as an asset acquisition and the subsequent issue of shares has been accounted for as an equity

settled share-based payment transaction valued at the fair value of the asset received.

Accounting policies

The Group controls an entity when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement

with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power to direct the activities of the entity.

Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. They are de-

consolidated from the date that control ceases. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for

business combinations by the Group.

Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are

eliminated. Accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with

the policies adopted by the group. Non-controlling interests in the results and equity of subsidiaries are shown

separately in the consolidated income statement, statement of comprehensives income, statement of changes in

equity and balance sheet respectively.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 53
6.2 INTERESTS IN OTHER ENTITIES

6.2.1 Associates, joint ventures and joint operations

The Group has the following associates, joint ventures and joint operations:

2018

Ownership

interest

2017

Ownership

interest

Name of entity

Chinese New Zealand Herald Limited

A

50%

50%

Eveve New Zealand Limited

A

40%

40%

KPEX Limited

A

25%

25%

New Zealand Press Association Limited

A

38.82%

38.82%

Restaurant Hub Limited

A

40%

40%

The Beacon Printing & Publishing Company Limited

A

21%

21%

The Gisborne Herald Company Limited

(held through Essex Castle Limited as a trust company for NZME Publishing Limited)

A

49%

49%

The Radio Bureau

B

50%

50%

The Wairoa Star Limited

A

40.41%

40.41%

Ratebroker Limited

D

50%

20%

The Newspaper Publishers Association of New Zealand Incorporated

C

Online Media Standards Authority Incorporated

C

New Zealand Press Council

C

Radio Broadcasters Association Incorporated

C

A

These entities are classified as joint ventures or associates. Because the effects of equity accounting are immaterial,

these investments are carried at cost (refer note 6.3.2).

B

The Radio Bureau is classified as a joint operation and the Group has included its direct right to the assets, liabilities,

revenues and expenses of joint operations and its share of any jointly held or incurred assets, liabilities, revenues and

expenses in these consolidated financial statements.

C

These are bodies with which entities in the Group have memberships, but no ownership interest.

D

In January 2018, the Group acquired an additional 30% of the shareholding in Ratebroker Limited from existing

shareholders. The Group has joint control of Ratebroker Limited and classifies it as a joint venture. (See note 6.3.2)

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 54
Accounting policies

Associates

Associates are all entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control or joint control. Where the

impact of the equity method of accounting is material, interests in associates are accounted for in the consolidated

financial statements using the equity method (see below), after initially being recognised at cost. The Group’s

investment in associates includes goodwill (net of any accumulated impairment loss) identified on acquisition.

Joint arrangements

Under IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements investments in joint arrangements are classified as either joint operations or joint

ventures. The classification depends on the contractual rights and obligations of each investor, rather than the legal

structure of the joint arrangement.

For material joint operations, the Group recognises its direct right to the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses

of joint operations and its share of any jointly held or incurred assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These have

been incorporated in the financial statements under the appropriate headings.

Where the impact of the equity method of accounting is material, interests in material joint ventures are accounted

for using the equity method (see below) after initially being recognised at cost in the consolidated balance sheet.

Equity method of accounting

Under the equity method of accounting, the investments are initially recognised at cost and adjusted thereafter to

recognise the group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses of the investee in profit or loss, and the Group’s

share of movements in other comprehensive income of the investee in other comprehensive income. Dividends

received or receivable from associates and joint ventures are recognised as a reduction in the carrying amount of

the investment.

When the Group’s share of losses in an equity-accounted investment equals or exceeds its interest in the entity,

including any other unsecured long-term receivables, the Group does not recognise further losses, unless it has

incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the other entity.

Unrealised gains on transactions between the group and its associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the

extent of the Group’s interest in these entities. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides

evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. Accounting policies of equity accounted investees have been

changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.

The carrying amount of equity-accounted investments is tested for impairment whenever events or changes in

circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable.

Where the effects of equity accounting are immaterial, investments are carried at cost.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 55
6.3.2 Other financial assets

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Shares in other corporations

3,788

5,988

Total other financial assets3,7885,988

Shares in other corporations consist of investments in entities that are not consolidated or equity accounted

(see also note 6.2.1). These investments are carried at cost.

NZME has written off its investment in Ratebroker Limited.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Page 56
7.1 RELATED PARTIES

7.1.1 Key management compensation

2018

$’000

2017

$’000

Total remuneration for Directors and other key management personnel:

Short term benefits

5,429

5,935

Termination benefits

499

364

Dividends (relating to shares held in the Company during the year)

70

33

Share-based payments

581

1,225

6,579

7,5 57

The table above includes remuneration of the Board of Directors and the Executive Team, including amounts paid to

members of the Executive Team who left during the year. Where a staff member was acting in a position on the Executive

Team, that portion of their remuneration has been included in the table above.

7.1.2 Other transactions with related parties

During the year, the Group purchased print services worth $2,363,784 (2017: $3,385,000) from Beacon Printing &

Publishing Company Limited, a company in which the Group holds an interest in and paid $300,695 (2017: nil) to Beacon

Printing & Publishing Company Limited for redundancies as per the print agreement between the parties.

In November 2015, the Company, Fairfax Media, TVNZ and MediaWorks launched a new local advertising exchange service,

KPEX Limited, offering media agencies and clients a programmatic option for purchasing online advertising. The group

received advertising revenue of $2,571,450 (2017: $2,768,773) and paid commission of $306,342 (2017: $412,931).

The Group has commitments to provide future services (such as house advertising, occupancy space at NZME offices,

business as usual finance and human resources support) to certain joint ventures and associates. During the year such

services were provided to Eveve, valued at $27,992 (2017:$66,879), Restaurant Hub, valued at $260,040 (2017:$281,923)

and Ratebroker, valued at $nil (2017: $1,174,394). The outstanding balances for future services are included in the table

below, along with other receivables and payables.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

7.0 OTHER NOTES

Page 57
2018

Receivables

$’000

2017

Receivables

$’000

2018

Payables

$’000

2017

Payables

$’000

Balances with related parties

KPEX Limited

940

1,028

127

148

Chinese New Zealand Herald Limited

-

-

19

43

Eveve New Zealand Limited

-

-

124

28

Restaurant Hub Limited

-

-

89

449

Ratebroker Limited

-

-

-

526

Total related party receivables and payables940

1,028

359

1,194

7.2 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

7. 2 .1 C l a i m s

The Group did not have any significant contingent liabilities as at 31 December 2018.

7.3 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The directors are not aware of any material events subsequent to the balance sheet date.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PricewaterhouseCoopers, 188 Quay Street, Private Bag 92162, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
T: +64 9 355 8000, F: +64 9 355 8001, pwc.co.nz

Independent auditor’s report

To the shareholders of NZME Limited

We have audited the consolidated financial statements which comprise:

the consolidated balance sheet as at 31 December 2018;

the consolidated income statement for the year then ended;

the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the year then ended;

the consolidated statement of changes in equity for the year then ended;

the consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended; and

the notes to the consolidated financial statements, which include the principal accounting policies.

Our opinion

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of NZME Limited (the Company),

including its subsidiaries (the Group), present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of

the Group as at 31 December 2018, its financial performance and its cash flows for the year then ended

in accordance with New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standards (NZ

IFRS) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (New Zealand) (ISAs

(NZ)) and International Standards on Auditing (ISAs). Our responsibilities under those standards are

further described in theAuditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial

statementssection of our report.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for

our opinion.

We are independent of the Group in accordance with Professional and Ethical Standard 1 (Revised)

Code of Ethics for Assurance Practitioners(PES 1) issued by the New Zealand Auditing and Assurance

Standards Board and the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants’Code of Ethics for

Professional Accountants(IESBA Code), and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in

accordance with these requirements.

Our firm carries out other services for the Group in the areas of taxation compliance and taxation

advisory services, advisory services in connection with treasury policy, and other assurance services

including circulation and payroll assurance services. The provision of these other services has not

impaired our independence as auditor of the Group.

PwC
Our audit approach

Overview

An audit is designed to obtain reasonable assurance

whether the financial statements are free from material

misstatement.

Overall Group materiality: $1,277,000, which represents

5% of profit before tax, excluding exceptional expense

items incurred during the year.

We chose profit before tax as the benchmark because, in

our view, it is the benchmark against which the

performance of the Group is most commonly measured

by users, and is a generally accepted benchmark. We

have adjusted this benchmark for exceptional expenses

(refer to note 2.4.2) to reduce volatility and to reflect the

underlying performance of the Group.

We have determined that there is one key audit matter

being the impairment testing of intangible assets.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of materiality.

Based on our professional judgement, we determined certain quantitative thresholds for materiality,

including the overall Group materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole as set out

above. These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to determine the scope of our audit,

the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures and to evaluate the effect of misstatements, both

individually and in aggregate on the consolidated financial statements as a whole.

Audit scope

We designed our audit by assessing the risks of material misstatement in the consolidated financial

statements and our application of materiality. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the risk of

management override of internal controls including among other matters, consideration of whether

there was evidence of bias that represented a risk of material misstatement due to fraud.

We tailored the scope of our audit in order to perform sufficient work to enable us to provide an

opinion on the consolidated financial statements as a whole, taking into account the structure of the

Group, the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the Group operates.

Key audit matters

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in

our audit of the consolidated financial statements of the current year. The key audit matter below was

addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in

forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on this matter.

PwC
Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

Impairment testing of intangible assets

As outlined in note 3.1, total non-amortising

intangible assets, including goodwill ($70.8

million), masthead brands ($147.0 million),

and brands ($59.1 million) have a combined

carrying value of $276.9 million at 31

December 2018 and represent 60% of the

total assets of the Group.

In completing the annual impairment

assessment, the recoverable amount of the

CGU, being the higher of its value in use and

its fair value less costs of disposal ('FVLCD'),

is calculated and compared with the relevant

net assets of the Group. Management

utilised a value in use model reflecting the

strategic direction of NZME to determine the

value of the business using discounted cash

flows. Management considered the reasons

for the lower recoverable amount if it were

determined on a FVLCD basis, as indicated

by the market capitalisation of NZME at

balance date and engaged a third party

expert to assist in validating their

assessment of the recoverable amount.

The impairment assessment is complex in

nature and includes key estimates and

assumptions made by management,

particularly in the following areas:

The assessment that the NZME business

constitutes one CGU.

The expected future trading results of

the business which are based on budget

for 2019 and the forecasts for the

following four years which have been

approved by the Board of Directors.

The weighted average cost of capital of

9.5% used as the discount rate in the

model.

The application of a 0% long term

growth rate for the purposes of

impairment testing.

Considering sensitivity by determining

other reasonably possible scenarios and

assessing the impact on the valuation of

these scenarios.

The impairment assessment completed by

management calculated the recoverable

amount of the business as higher than the

carrying value of applicable net assets and

no impairment was identified.

In their sensitivity analysis management

identified that there were assumptions for

We gained an understanding of the strategic objectives of

the business to assess the appropriateness of using a

value in use model. We also gained an understanding of

how the business is managed and how the results are

reported to management and the Directors in order to

understand management’s determination that NZME

constitutes one CGU.

We gained an understanding of the business process and

controls applied by management in their impairment

assessment. We considered the factors identified by

management as contributing to the difference between

the market capitalisation of the Group and the carrying

value of net assets, and we reviewed the third party

expert’s report obtained by management to assist in

validating key judgements.

We tested the accuracy of the calculations in the value in

use model by reperforming the calculation of the

recoverable amount of the business, based on the same

estimates and assumptions used by management. We

then agreed the relevant net assets of the Group to the

audited carrying values.

We also assessed key estimates and assumptions made by

management. Our audit procedures included the

following:

We agreed the future cash flows included in

management’s model to the budgets and forecasts

approved by the Board of Directors.

We considered the reasonableness of key

assumptions in the cash flow forecasts, in particular

revenue growth for each channel, forecast expenses

and the terminal growth rate. This was done with

reference to the historical performance of the Group,

key initiatives being undertaken and comparison to

third party industry forecasts and available broker

reports.

We engaged an auditor’s expert to recalculate a

reasonable range for the weighted average cost of

capital used as the discount rate in the model and

determined that the discount rate used by

management was consistent with this.

We considered publicly available market information

from recent valuations of similar businesses to

compare the recoverable amount determined by

management, using discounted cash flow

methodology, to the amount which might have been

determined using a multiples approach.

We considered a range of reasonably possible

alternative scenarios, including those identified by

management. For each scenario we tested the

updated model for the accuracy of calculations

affected by the changes in assumptions including the

impact of those changes on the recoverable amount

and comparison to the relevant net asset value of the

PwC
Information other than the financial statements and auditor’s report

The Directors are responsible for the annual report. Our opinion on the consolidated financial

statements does not cover the other information included in the annual report and we do not, and will

not, express any form of assurance conclusion on other information. At the time of our audit, there

was no other information available to us.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, if other information is included

in the annual report, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider

whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or

our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the

work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of our auditor’s

report, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to

report that fact.

Responsibilities of the Directors for the consolidated financial statements

The Directors are responsible, on behalf of the Company, for the preparation and fair presentation of

the consolidated financial statements in accordance with NZ IFRS and IFRS, and for such internal

control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial

statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the

Group’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going

concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate

the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial

statements, as a whole, are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to

issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance,

but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (NZ) and ISAs will always

detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are

considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence

the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the consolidated financial statements is

located at the External Reporting Board’s website at:

https://www.xrb.govt.nz/standards-for-assurance-practitioners/auditors-responsibilities/audit-

report-1/

This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

which a reasonably possible change would

cause the carrying amount to exceed the

recoverable amount. These assumptions,

together with the changes that would be

required in order for the recoverable amount

to be equal to the carrying amount, have

been disclosed in note 3.1.2.


Group.

We developed an independent point estimate and

derived a range of acceptable outcomes, by

considering the level of estimation uncertainty

inherent in the New Zealand market, to evaluate

management’s value in use assessment.

We reviewed the disclosures in the financial statements to

ensure that they are compliant with the requirements of

the relevant accounting standards and we have no

matters to report.

Key audit matter

How our audit addressed the key audit matter

PwC
Who we report to

This report is made solely to the Company’s shareholders, as a body. Our audit work has been

undertaken so that we might state those matters which we are required to state to them in an auditor’s

report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume

responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s shareholders, as a body, for our

audit work, for this report or for the opinions we have formed.

The engagement partner on the audit resulting in this independent auditor’s report is Jonathan

Skilton.

For and on behalf of:

Chartered Accountants

18 February 2019

Auckland

---

Full Year
2018 Results

PRESENTATION

For the year ended 31 December 2018

19 February 2019

DISCLAIMER
This presentation may contain

projections or forward-looking

statements regarding a variety

of items. Such projections

or forward-looking statements are

based on current expectations,

estimates and assumptions and

are subject to a number of risks and

uncertainties. There is no assurance

that results contemplated in any

projections or forward looking

statements in this presentation will

be realised. Actual results may diff er

materially from those projected in this

presentation. No person is under any

obligation to update this presentation

at any time after its release to you

or to provide you with further

information about NZME Limited.

NZME adopted NZ IFRS 15 –

Revenue

from Contracts with Customers

on 1 January 2018 without restating

the FY17 comparatives. Various trading

measures are referred to throughout

this presentation. These trading

measures are non-GAAP measures that

are explained and reconciled in the

Supplementary Information on pages

34 and 35. Please also refer to Note

2.1.1 of the Consolidated Financial

Statements for the year ended

31 December 2018 for a more detailed

reconciliation. You should not consider

any of these in isolation from,

or as a substitute for, the information

provided in the audited Consolidated

Financial Statements for the year

ended 31 December 2018.

While reasonable care has been

taken in compiling this presentation,

none of NZME Limited nor its

subsidiaries, directors, employees,

agents or advisers (to the maximum

extent permitted by law) gives any

warranty or representation (express

or implied) as to the accuracy,

completeness or reliability of the

information contained in it nor takes

any responsibility for it. The information

in this presentation has not been,

and will not be, independently verified

or audited.

The information in this presentation is of a general nature

and does not constitute financial product advice, investment

advice or any recommendation. Nothing in this presentation

constitutes legal, financial, tax or other advice. This presentation

constitutes summary information only, and you should not rely

on it in isolation from the full detail set out in the Consolidated

Financial Statements.

2

18
24

04

17

22

06

31

11

32

FY18 Results Summary

and FY18 Operational Priorities

FY18 Financials

FY19 Strategic Priorities and Outlook

Market Dynamics

Q & A

Channel Results

Supplementary Information

AGENDA

3

FY17 $387.7m
FY17 $26.7m

FY18 total dividends

2 cents per share

2%

29%

Trading Revenue

Trading NPAT

Final Dividend

Results impacted by

Pro-active investment

in Digital Classifieds

$378.4m

$18.9m

nil

FY17 $20.9m

FY17 $66.2m

FY17 13.6cps

44%

17%

29%

Statutory NPAT

Trading EBITDA

Trading Earnings Per Share

$11.6m

$ 5 4.7 m

9.6cps

Agency market

headwinds

RESULTS SUMMARY

NZME FY18

4

ACHIEVEMENT OF OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES
NZME FY18

Return advertising

revenue to growth

Effective cost and

capital management

Continued audience

growth and

engagement

• NZ Herald audience at an all time high with a daily brand audience of more than 1 million (up 5% YoY).

1

• Engagement on nzherald.co.nz continues to grow with ongoing focus on premium content. Online engagement

grew during the year, reaching 3 minutes 16 seconds.

2

• NZME has maintained audience share in a growing radio market.

3

• NZME advertising revenue declined by 4% in FY18 impacted by significant headwinds in the New Zealand Agency

advertising market across all channels.

• Strong growth in Print travel segment.

• Direct radio revenue in growth in H2.

• $3.7m decrease in underlying costs, driven by ongoing efficiency measures.

• Capital management review finalised. Debt refinanced and extended to 2022.

• NZME targeting debt reduction of $10-$15m per annum from FY19 to bring leverage to between

1.0 and 1.5 times Trading EBITDA.

1

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 – Q3 18 AP 15+, represents a combination of Print readership and Digital audience.

2

Nielsen Market Intelligence, Domestic Traffic, 2018.

3

GfK Radio Audience Measurement,

Commercial Stations, NZME and Partners. Total Market Share T4 2018, AP 18-54.

Develop our talent

and people

Grow new revenue

streams

Stuff merger &

Industry consolidation

• Continued to further develop the profile of the journalism team ahead of the launch of digital subscriptions.

• Refresh of NewstalkZB talent line up.

• Improvement in staff engagement metrics year on year.

• OneRoof revenue $0.7m for FY18 since March 2018 launch, $0.5m generated in Q4.

• Digital subscriptions launching in Q2 19.

• Stuff merger opportunity was about efficiency and growth.

• Continue to actively assess value-adding opportunities to take advantage of industry consolidation.

5

DYNAMICS
MARKET

80% OF NEW ZEALANDERS
NZME’S AUDIENCE REACH IS 3.3 MILLION

1

Digital

2.0 Million

Weekly readers

1

Weekly listeners

2

per month

1

Unique audience of

Print

Radio

1.3 Million

2.5 Million

1

Nielsen CMI October Fused Q4 17 - Q3 18 (population 10+ years).

2

GfK Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial Stations, NZME and Partners. Cumulative Audience T4 2018.

7

NZME < Market
NZME = Market

NZME FY18 PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE MARKET

Display & Mobile Revenue

Advertising Revenue

NZME 3%

NZME -3%

Market 5%

1

Market -3%

2

YoY to Q4 18

YoY to Q3 18

YoY to Q4 18

YoY to Q3 18

Digital

Radio

28%

16%

56%

FY17 28%

FY17 15%

FY17 57%

1

IAB / PwC New Zealand Q4 18 Interactive Advertising Spend Report; digital excluding search and directories, and social media (NZ market only).

2

PwC Radio Performance Comparison Report, Q3 18.

3

PwC NPA Quarterly Performance Comparison Report, Q3 18.

NZME > Market

Advertising Revenue

NZME -6%

Market -16%

3

YoY to Q3 18

YoY to Q3 18

Print

$60.0m

$211.6m$106.8M

FY17 $387.7m2%

Trading Revenue

$378.4m

8

1
Standard Media Index

2

ANZ Business Outlook.

IN FY18

AGENCY MARKET DECLINED

• Agency represents approximately 30%

of NZME’s Print and Radio revenues and

50% of Digital revenues.

• The Agency market declined 4.2% in 2018,

impacting all advertising channels except

for Outdoor, which grew only 0.5% YoY.

• The market was particularly challenged

in H2, reflecting trends in New Zealand

business confidence.

• Print Agency market experienced the

greatest decline, down 22% YoY.

New Zealand Business Confidence

2

Net Index (% expecting improvement

minus % expecting deterioration)

YoY growth

Total Agency Demand YoY Growth %

1

20%

30

-15%

-60

-5%

-20

-10%

-30

-40

-50

0%

-10

10%

10

5%

0

15%

20

Jan-18

Jan-17

Feb-18

Feb-17

Mar-18

Mar-17

Apr-18

Apr-17

May-18

May-17

Jun-18

Jun-17

Jul-18

Jul-17

Aug-18

Aug-17

Sep-18

Sep-17

Oct-18

Oct-17

Nov-18

Nov-17

Dec-18

Dec-17

Jan-18

Jan-17

Feb-18

Feb-17

Mar-18

Mar-17

Apr-18

Apr-17

May-18

May-17

Jun-18

Jun-17

Jul-18

Jul-17

Aug-18

Aug-17

Sep-18

Sep-17

Oct-18

Oct-17

Nov-18

Nov-17

Dec-18

Dec-17

AustraliaNew ZealandNZ trend

9

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, guest editing
The New Zealand Herald suff rage edition, September 2018

RESULTS
CHANNEL

12
• Total Print revenue decline improved in FY18

to -4% (FY17: -7%). Print revenue decline slowed

in H2 18, helped to some extent by an extra

week’s trading.

• Growth in the travel category, assisted by the

cruise ship industry, helped off set the decline

in Agency advertising revenue.

• Circulation revenue benefited from the additional

week in FY18. Adjusting for this, circulation revenue

declined approximately 4% in FY18.

• Subscriber numbers continued to decline at modest

rates, to a degree off set by yield improvements.

• Other revenue is primarily third party print

and distribution, which remains in decline.

• Direct print costs declined by 4%, reflecting

lower volumes and the ongoing benefits from

plant upgrades. We continually evaluate our Print

portfolio to ensure that each publication remains

a net contributor to the business.

• Direct costs include printing costs,

distribution costs, agency commission,

and occupancy costs.

• Readership remained at strong levels and

NZ Herald daily brand audience exceeded

1 million across FY18.

PRINT

NZME

NZME Print ($m)FY18FY17% Change

Advertising Revenue114.2121.0(6%)

Circulation Revenue81.583.3(2%)

Other Revenue

1

15.91 7.0(6%)

Total Print Revenue211.6221.3(4%)

Direct Print Costs(72.9)(75.9)(4%)

Print Contribution138.7145.4(5%)

12

NZ HERALD READERSHIP AND AUDIENCE TRENDS POSITIVE
The NZ Herald Mon-Sat Average

Issue Readership

1

470

Readership (000s)

Q1 16 - Q4 16Q2 16 - Q1 17Q3 16 - Q2 17Q4 16 - Q3 17Q1 17 - Q4 17Q2 17 - Q1 18Q3 17 - Q2 18Q4 17 - Q3 18

430

460

420

450

410

440

400

390

380

Subscriber VolumeYield

NZME Subscriber Volume

and Yield

2

16.0

Q4 16Q1 17Q2 17Q3 17Q4 17Q2 18Q1 18Q3 18Q4 18

8.0

Yield ($)

Daily Brand Audience (000s)

Subscriber Volume (millions)

1.90

1.70

1.50

1.30

1.80

1.60

1.40

1.20

1.10

14.0

6.0

12.0

4.0

10.0

2.0

NZ Herald Daily Brand Audience

3

Q4 15 - Q3 16Q3 15 - Q2 16Q1 16 - Q4 16Q2 16 - Q1 17Q3 16 - Q2 17Q4 16 - Q3 17Q1 17 - Q4 17Q2 17 - Q1 18Q3 17 - Q2 18Q4 17 - Q3 18

950

800

900

750

650

600

850

700

1,100

1,050

1,000

1

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 – Q3 18, NZ Herald Average Issue Readership trend, AP15+

2

Subscriber volume drives revenue and represents the count of individual “paid” papers delivered, including the

NZ Herald, Herald on Sunday and Regionals (includes paid trials). Subscriber yield includes promotional volumes.

3

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 – Q3 18, AP15+.

13

14
NZME

RADIO & EXPERIENTIAL

• Radio market was challenging, particularly in H2 18,

with Radio & Experiential revenue down 4% in FY18.

• Radio Agency advertising revenue declined

7% in FY18.

• Direct channel returned to growth, growing

2% in H2 18.

• Market share of Radio revenue and audience stable

YoY at 39%

2

and 35%

3

respectively.

• iHeart registered users up 18% YoY to 831,000

4

,

total listening hours up 16% YoY to 3.2m

5

. iHeart

in a strong position to take advantage of growth

in digital listening.

• Direct radio and experiential costs increased

1% in FY18. Direct costs include radio licence

fees, transmission costs, talent costs and iHeart

licence fees.

NZME Radio & Experiential ($m) FY18 Trading

1

FY17% Change

Radio & Experiential Revenue100.0103.7(4%)

Other Revenue (including iHeart and Events)6.96.47%

Total Radio & Experiential Revenue106.8110.1(3%)

Direct Radio & Experiential Costs(31.9)(31.4)1%

Radio & Experiential Contribution75.078.6(5%)

Radio Advertising - Direct (LHS)

Radio Advertising - Agency (RHS)

Radio Advertising

(12 month rolling average) ($m)

Jan-18

Feb-18

Mar-18

Apr-18

May-18

Jun-18

Jul-18

Aug-18

Sep-18

Oct-18

Nov-18

Dec-18

T1 2016T2 2016T3 2016T1 2017T2 2017T3 2017T4 2017T1 2018T2 2018T3 2018T4 2018

NZME Major Markets 18 - 54 y/o

Station Share

3

36

Station share (%)

26

34

24

32

30

22

28

20

39.0

70.0

31.0

62.0

29.0

2 7.0

25.060.0

35.0

66.0

33.0

64.0

37.0

68.0

1

FY18 Trading result has been adjusted to remove the eff ect of NZ IFRS 15 to enable a like for like comparison with FY17.

2

PwC Radio

Advertising Benchmark Report, Q3 18

3

GfK Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial Stations. NZME & Partners in Major Markets

Trended to T4/2018. Station Share %, AP 18-54.

4

iHeartMedia, 2017-2018; Adobe Analytics, 2018.

5

AdsWhizz and StreamGuys, 2017-2018.

14

15
• Digital revenue growth slowed in H2 18, impacted

by a contraction in the Agency advertising market.

• Digital Agency revenue grew 15% in H1 and -7%

in H2, 3% YoY. In contrast, Direct digital revenue

grew 8% YoY.

• The Digital market continues to evolve and NZME

expects it to remain a long-term driver of growth

2

.

• GrabOne revenues are stabilising due to a higher

degree of personalisation and targeted

direct marketing.

• Digital and e-Commerce costs have increased in line

with incremental production and fulfilment costs.

Digital Classifieds

• Digital revenue includes Digital Classifieds and other

digital revenue. The highly encouraging OneRoof

performance is discussed on page 28 and 29.

• DRIVEN and YUDU continue to show potential but

investment in YUDU has been reallocated to support

the growth of DRIVEN and OneRoof, which has the

greatest revenue potential in the near term.

The total investment in DRIVEN and YUDU in FY18

was $2.2m off set by revenue of $0.2m.

• Incremental Digital Classified costs are

in line with expectations at $6.1m.

• FY19 Digital Classified costs are

anticipated to increase to $8.0m,

the majority of which will be

invested in OneRoof.

NZME

DIGITAL & E-COMMERCE

1

FY18 Trading results has been adjusted to remove the eff ect of NZ IFRS 15 to enable a like for like comparison with FY17.

2

PwC Outlook NZ Entertainment & Media 2018 – 2022.

NZME Digital & e-Commerce ($m) FY18 Trading

1

FY17% Change

Digital Revenue48.944.99%

e-Commerce Revenue11.011.4(4%)

Total Digital & e-Commerce Revenue60.056.36%

Direct Digital and e-Commerce costs(10.3)(8.3)24%

Incremental Digital Classifieds costs(6.1)--

Digital & e-Commerce Contribution43.648.0(9%)

Launched unique tools for buyers and sellers

FY19 focus on monetising lead generation

15

FY18
FINANCIALS

• NZME was pleased to contain the decline in trading
revenue to just 2% ($9.3m) in FY18 (-4% in FY17) in

part due to an extra publishing week.

• Revenue declines in Print and Radio were partially

off set by modest growth in Digital.

• Digital Classifieds contributed small but growing

revenue in H2 18.

• Costs increased by 1%, reflecting the $6.1m

investment in Digital Classifieds that off set

underlying cost savings in the business.

• EBITDA declined $11.5m (17%) to $54.7m.

• Excluding the net costs of the Digital Classified

business, EBITDA declined 8%.

TRADING RESULTS

NZME

$mFY18 Trading

1

FY17% Change

Revenue378.43 87.7(2%)

Other Income4.13.79%

Total Revenue & Other Income382.4391.4(2%)

Costs(327.7)(325.3)1%

EBITDA54.766.2(17%)

Depreciation and amortisation(24.6)(24.9)(2%)

EBIT30.241.2(27%)

Net Interest(4.6)(4.4)5%

NPBT25.636.9(31%)

Tax(6.7 )(10.1)(34%)

Trading NPAT18.926.7(29%)

Trading earnings per share (cps)9.613.6(29%)

1

The statutory results reflect the impact of NZ IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers on Revenue. For presentation

purposes the FY18 Trading result is provided on a basis consistent with the FY17 result to enable a like-for-like comparison.

Refer to page 34 of this presentation and note 2.1.1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail.

18

COSTS
NZME

$mFY18 TradingFY17 Trading% Change

People costs & contributors156.5162.2(4%)

Print & distribution costs63.266.9(5%)

Agency commission & marketing35.935.03%

Property21.120.82%

Content15.813.616%

IT & communications12.411.76%

Other16.715.111%

Total Costs excl. Digital Classifieds Costs321.6325.3(1%)

Incremental Digital Classified costs6.1--

Total Trading Costs3 2 7.7325.31%

$mFY18FY17

Redundancies5.34.3

Write off of Ratebroker2.2-

Other1.73.2

Total Exceptional Items9.27. 5

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

Costs

• Underlying costs

1

down 1%, largely in the areas

of people costs and print and distribution costs.

H2 costs impacted by additional publishing

week and an increase in contractual property

operating expenses.

• Print and distribution costs reduced in line with

lower print volumes and eff iciency benefits from

plant upgrades.

• Marketing costs are higher due to the increase

in external marketing of radio brands.

• Increased content costs reflect investment in video

production and fulfilment costs.

• A $6.1m incremental investment in Digital

Classifieds was made in FY18 in people, marketing,

data and technology licensing.

Exceptional items

• Redundancy costs of $5.2m includes cost

of restructuring undertaken in Q4 18, the benefits

of which will be reflected in people costs in FY19.

• Investment in Ratebroker, the majority of which was

non-cash, written off due to under-performance

in the business.

• Other exceptional items in FY18 include

make good of historical holiday pay

obligations, costs associated with

one off restructuring projects and

residual costs relating to the Stuff

merger appeal.

1

Costs excluding incremental Digital Classified Costs

19

• The Capital Management Policy, announced
in November 2018, supports long-term strategic

objectives and operational priorities to maximise

shareholder value.

• The objective is to reduce gearing while maintaining

investment in growth opportunities and continuing

to pay dividends, where trading and investment

conditions permit.

• New bank facilities of $150m were established

in November 2018 with an expiry of 1 January 2022.

As at December 2018 net debt was $98.3m and

gearing was 1.8 times. NZME is targeting a net debt

reduction of $10 – $15m per annum to bring the

leverage ratio to within the target range of 1.0 to 1.5

times rolling 12-month Trading EBITDA.

• NZME retains significant headroom under

its existing facilities. Undrawn bank facilities

as at 31 December 2018 were $51.7m.

BALANCE SHEET

NZME

$mDec 18Jun 18Dec 17

Trade, other receivables and inventory60.654.257. 2

Trade and other payables(52.0)(50.0)(56.9)

Current tax (liability) / receivable0.92.6( 7.6 )

Net working capital (excluding cash)9.46.8( 7.3 )

Fixed, intangible and other assets389.6395.3401.3

Net interest bearing liabilities(98.3)(106.1)(90.2)

Other liabilities(14.1)(14.8)(14.8)

Net Assets286.6281.3289.0

Rolling 12 month Trading EBITDA54.761.266.2

Trading net interest cover12.014.515.2

Net debt to trading EBITDA1.81.71.4

20

21
• Year end net debt increased $7.9m from

31 December 2017 due to reduced trading EBITDA

($11.5m), investment in working capital, tax, and

dividend payments.

• A net $8.6m increase in working capital was

primarily related to a decrease in staff incentive

accruals due to FY18 performance, an increase

in technology prepayments, lower accruals, and

higher trade debtors. The increase in trade debtors

was in part due to the extra publishing week

in December 2018.

• Capital expenditure was in line with expectations.

FY19 capital expenditure is expected to be lower

at ~$12m due to the completion of a number of key

technology integration projects.

• Exceptional items in the cash flow summary exclude

the non-cash impairment of Ratebroker of $2.2m.

• Tax paid was higher in FY18 due to the timing of

FY17 tax payments. FY19 cash tax is expected to be

in line with accounting tax expense.

CASH FLOW

NZME

$mFY18 TradingFY17 Trading

Trading EBITDA54.766.2

Share based payment scheme (non-cash)0.81.7

Movement in payables and receivables(8.6)(11.7)

Trading cash from operations46.956.2

Net interest expense(4.0)(3.9)

Capital expenditure(14.1)(15.1)

Exceptional items( 7.0 )( 7.6 )

Dividends paid(15.7)(18.6)

Tax paid(14.1)( 5.7 )

Movement in net debt

1

( 7.9 )5.3

DIVIDEND POLICY

Subject to achieving the annual debt reduction target, and having regard to

NZME’s capital requirements, operating performance and financial position

at the time, NZME intends to pay dividends of 30% to 50% of reported

NPAT

2

.

1

Movement in net debt excludes borrowing costs of $0.1m in FY18 (and borrowing costs and other financing charges of $0.4m in FY17).

2

Full dividend policy is available at www.nzme.co.nz/investor-relations/dividends/

21

PRIORITIES AND OUTLOOK
FY19 STRATEGIC

FOCUSED ON GROWTH
2019 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Creating New Zealand's leading

real estate platform

Leading the future of news and

journalism in New Zealand

Increasing radio capability

and performance

123

23

24
FY19 Focus

New Zealand’s destination for

trusted premium news content

Launch digital subscriptions

Enhancing print subscriber

value proposition

Key success metrics

Paid content launch

Q2 2019

Targeting 10,000 digital

subscribers within the first year

Increased premium content and

digital audience engagement

Improved print

subscriber retention

LEADING THE FUTURE OF NEWS

AND JOURNALISM IN NEW ZEALAND

1. NEWS

1

Nielsen CMI Q4 17 - Q3 18 (population 15+ years)

2

nzherald.co.nz 1.74m, Stuff .co.nz 1.75m monthly UA in December 2018 (Nielsen Online Ratings, December 2018).

NZME is New Zealand’s leading publisher with The New Zealand

Herald's daily brand audience, across print and digital, at more

than 1 million

1

. nzherald.co.nz is now on par with stuff .co.nz

2

as New Zealand’s #1 local website.

24

25
DIGITAL ACCESS FREE TO THE MAJORITY

OF PRINT SUBSCRIBERS

Investment

FY19 net investment in digital subscriptions

is expected to be $1.2m including costs

associated with global syndicated content,

launch and ongoing marketing support.

Forecasting to be EBITDA positive in Year 2.

PROGRESS AND LAUNCH

DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

TECHNOLOGYCONTENTAUDIENCE

• Technology platform

implemented in

partnership with

Washington Post Arc.

• Current focus is

on optimising user

journeys and user

experience, testing

and delivering print

and digital bundles.

• Access to the best

stories from four top

global publishers.

• Strong team of

premium journalists

across business,

politics, news,

sport, lifestyle and

entertainment.

• Audience of 1.7

million

1

to be

maintained with

Freemium model.

• Majority of content

remains free.

• 520,000+ registered

users.

1

Nielsen Online Ratings, December 2018.

25

Relative Radio Audience Size
by Demographic

1

85%

70%

80%

65%

55%

45%

35%

75%

60%

50%

40%

30%

Average Age

% Male

20253035404550556065

FY19 Focus

Enhance radio sales skills to

support integrated selling

Digital audience and revenue

growth leveraging iHeart capability

Successfully develop an engaged

following for new shows

Key success metrics

Radio revenue in growth

Improved audience share in the key

18-54 demographic

Continue to grow iHeart registered

users and streaming hours

NZME is the second largest radio operator in New Zealand, with a weekly radio

audience of 2.0 million

1

. NZME has the exclusive licence for the iHeart Radio

platform in New Zealand and is well positioned to take advantage of the growing

digital radio market.

INCREASING RADIO CAPABILITY AND PERFORMANCE

2. RADIO

1

Gfk Radio Audience Measurement, Commercial stations, NZME and Partners, Cumulative Audience T4 2018.

26

RADIO & EXPERIENTIAL
NZME

TECHNOLOGYSALES CAPABILITYAUDIENCE

• New content formats

including podcasts

and Alexa skills.

• Radio specialists

• Improved radio

sales training

• Regional focus

• Cross channel

bundling

• New NewstalkZB

line-up

• Embed new

music shows

• iHeart registered

users 831,000+

27

• Launched end March 2018.
• Listings from four out of five major agency groups now

on oneroof.co.nz.

• ~66% of Trade Me’s nationwide residential "For Sale" listings

on site, ~87% of Trade Me's Greater Auckland residential

"For Sale" listings.

• Audience engagement with listings increasing (views, saved

properties and enquiry rates.)

• Strong audience growth supported by integrated content

and advertising.

• Exceeded Trade Me Property’s audience on 3 December 2018

with the release of the inaugural OneRoof Quarterly

Property Report.

2

• 40% of audience coming direct to site or via organic search, 40%

referral rate from nzherald.co.nz. 50%+ of audience is mobile.

• 58,000+ app downloads.

1

OneRoof is a joint venture between NZME (80% share) and the developer of the platform (20% share). The entity is fully consolidated in the NZME Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

Nielsen Market

Intelligence, Domestic Traff ic (1 Jan 18 - 31 Dec 18).

OneRoof

1

is New Zealand’s newest real estate platform incorporating superior user experience and search functionality.

OneRoof "For Sale" Listings as % of Trade Me

Residential "For Sale" Listings

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Apr-18May-18Jun-18Jul-18Aug-18Sep-18Oct-18Nov-18Dec-18

Weekly Unique Browsers

2

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

Apr-18Mar-18May-18Jun-18Jul-18Aug-18Sep-18Oct-18Nov-18Dec-18

Weekly unique Browsers (000s)

trademe.co.nz/propertyhomes.co.nzrealestate.co.nzoneroof.co.nz

LISTINGS + AUDIENCE

REVENUE

LISTINGS

AUDIENCE

CREATING NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING REAL ESTATE PLATFORM

28

FY19 Focus
Secure further market listings and

launch new property categories

(e.g. new homes)

Continue to develop user

features and tools to enhance

listings engagement

Lead property market

commentary and insights

Continue revenue growth

through premium listings

and agent products

Key success metrics

Growth in listings as a % of market

Improved audience listings

engagement

Meaningful revenue growth

($m)FY18

Revenue0.7

Direct Costs(3.9)

OneRoof contribution(3.2)

Other Real Estate Revenue (Print, Digital & Radio, excl. OneRoof)32.8

• OneRoof revenue of $0.7m in FY18, $0.5m in Q4 18.

• Real Estate represents NZME’s largest revenue vertical.

• Real Estate products have been co-branded OneRoof to facilitate

integrated sales and content offerings.

Premium listings

Native content

Sponsorship

Bundled cross-channel packages

Agent profiles

Actively Monetising

CREATING NEW ZEALAND'S LEADING REAL ESTATE PLATFORM

REVENUE

29

OUTLOOK
• Advertising bookings for Q1 19 are tracking at -2% YoY compared with

-4% for FY18.

• The Agency market remains challenged however trends are improving.

• NZME is continuing to focus on cost reduction. Savings made in Q4 18

will benefit FY19. However, given the ongoing investment in Digital Classifieds

and digital subscriptions, net cost reduction is likely to remain modest.

• The launch of digital subscriptions is on track for Q2 19 with modest revenue

expectations and estimated net investment of $1.2m in FY19.

• OneRoof is expected to deliver further listings, audience and revenue

growth in FY19.

• NZME will continue to enhance radio sales skills to support integrated selling

and Radio revenue growth.

• In line with the Capital Management Policy announced in November 2018,

NZME is targeting a reduction in debt of $10m to $15m in FY19.

• Industry consolidation is expected to continue to present opportunities

for NZME.

30

Q & A
Mike Hosking, NewstalkZB Breakfast Host

INFORMATION
SUPPLEMENTARY

CHANNEL DIRECT COSTS
NEW MEASURE TO ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR

BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

DIRECT COSTS HAVE BEEN ATTRIBUTED TO EACH SEGMENT

WHERE POSSIBLE AS FOLLOWS:

Print direct costs include:

• Print and distribution costs

• Occupancy costs at the Ellerslie

print plant

• Agency commission specifically

related to Print products

Digital direct costs include:

• Fulfilment costs

• Production costs

• Merchant fees related to

GrabOne

• Costs associated with the

Digital Classifieds

• Agency commission specifically

related to Digital products

Radio direct costs include:

• Radio licence fees

• Transmission costs

• iHeart licence fees

• Radio talent costs

• Agency commission specifically

related to Radio products

Centralised costs that have not

been attributed to a specific

segment include:

• Head office and back office

services (IT, Finance, HR,

Marketing etc.)


• Occupancy costs for all

properties other than the

Ellerslie print plant

• Integrated sales team costs

• Content costs

$

33

34
1

For a detailed explanation of the NZ IFRS 15 adjustment

please refer to Note 2.1.1 of the Consolidated Financial

Statements.

2

Segment revenue in the FY18 Financial Statements

column agrees with the segment revenue

as disclosed in note 2.4.2 of the Consolidated Financial

Statements for the period ended 31 December 2018. The

FY18 Trading segment revenue excludes the NZ IFRS 15

adjustment to ensure a like-for-like comparison with the

FY17 information that is not restated for the eff ects of NZ

IFRS 15.

3

Other Income consists of revenue from the shared

service centre of $3.4m and other income of $0.7m as

disclosed in note 2.4.2 of the Consolidated Financial

Statements.

4

Costs in the FY18 Financial Statements column agree

to expenses from operations before finance costs,

depreciation and amortisation as disclosed in the

Consolidated Income Statement.

5

Net interest expense is made up of finance cost

of $4.6m (as disclosed in the Consolidated Income

Statement) less finance income of $80k as disclosed in

note 2.4.2.

6

Trading tax payable has been calculated using

NZME’s eff ective tax rate on NPBT, excluding

non-deductible exceptional items, of 29%.

7

Exceptional Items consist of redundancies,

the impairment of a financial asset and

costs in relation to one-off projects

(as disclosed in the note 2.4.2 of the

Consolidated Financial Statements).

NZME FY18

RECONCILIATION OF TRADING RESULT TO

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

$m

FY18

Trading

NZ IFRS

15

1

Exceptional

Items

7

FY18 Financial

Statements

Segment revenue

2

- Print211.6--211.6

- Radio106.86.5-113.3

- Digital60.0--60.0

Other Income

3

4.1--4.1

Total Revenue and Other Income382.56.5-388.9

Costs

4

(327.7)(6.5)(9.2)(343.4)

EBITDA54.7-(9.2)45.5

Depreciation and amortisation(24.6)--(24.6)

EBIT30.2-(9.2)20.9

Net interest expense

5

(4.6)--(4.6)

NPBT25.6-(9.2)16.4

Tax

6

(6.7 )-1.9(4.8)

Minority interest0.2--0.2

NPAT19.1-( 7.3 )11.7

Earnings per share (cps)9.7-(3.7 )6.0

34

35
1

Segment revenue agrees with the segment

revenue as disclosed in note 2.4.2 of the

Consolidated Financial Statements for the

year ended 31 December 2018.

2

Other Income consists of revenue from the

shared service centre of $3.0m and other

income of $0.7m as disclosed in note 2.4.2

of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Costs in the FY17 Financial Statements column agree

to Expenses from operations before finance costs,

depreciation and amortisation as disclosed in the

Consolidated Income Statement.

4

Net interest expense is made up of Finance Cost

of $4.5m (as disclosed in the Consolidated Income

Statement) less Finance income of $0.1m

as disclosed in note 2.4.2.

5

Trading tax payable has been calculated using

NZME's eff ective tax rate on NPBT excluding

exceptional items of 29%.

RECONCILIATION OF TRADING RESULT TO

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NZME FY17

$m

FY17

Trading Result

Exceptional

Items

FY17

Statutory Result

Segment revenue

1

- Print221.3-221.3

- Radio110.1-110.0

- Digital56.3-56.3

Other Income

2

3.7-3.7

Total Revenue and Other Income391.4-391.4

Costs

3

(325.3)( 7. 5 )(332.8)

EBITDA66.2( 7. 5 )58.6

Depreciation and amortisation(24.9)-(24.9)

EBIT41.2( 7. 5 )33.7

Net interest expense

4

(4.4)-(4.4)

NPBT36.9( 7. 5 )29.3

Tax

5

(10.1)1.7(8.4)

NPAT26.7(5.8)20.9

Earnings per share (cps)13.6(3.0)10.7

35

---

NZME Limited
Results for announcement to the market


Reporting Period 12 months to 31 December 2018

Previous Reporting

Period

12 months to 31 December 2017


Amount (000s) Percentage change

Revenue from ordinary

activities

$NZ 388,269 -0.6%

Profit (loss) from ordinary

activities after tax

attributable to security

holder

$NZ 11,735 -43.8%

Net profit (loss)

attributable to security

holders

$NZ 11,735 -43.8%


Final Dividend Amount per security Imputed amount per

security

nil nil nil


Record Date

Dividend Payment Date


Comments: A brief For the 12 months to 31 December 2018, NZME

Limited’s reported profit from ordinary activities after

tax was NZ$11.6 million compared to a profit of

NZ$20.9 million in the comparative period.


The net profit after tax for the 12 months to 31

December 2018 of NZ$11.6 million is down 44.6% from

the net profit after tax for the 12 months to 31

December 2017 of $20.9 million.


Net assets per share as at 31 December 2018 was

NZ$1.46 compared to NZ$1.47 as at 31 December

2017


Net tangible assets per share as at 31 December 2018

was NZ$(0.22) compared to NZ$(0.21) as at 31

December 2017.


Refer to the attached audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the twelve

months ended 31 December 2018 for NZME Limited and its subsidiaries and the

Results Presentation for a more detailed analysis and explanation.

Data sourced from publicly available filings. Our datasets may not be complete. Automated analysis can produce errors. If you believe any data on this page is incorrect, please contact us at hello@nzxplorer.co.nz. For informational purposes only. Not investment advice.