New Zealand’s Great Southern Television Taps TVNZ Exec

New Zealand production company Great Southern Television has appointed TVNZ’s Cate Calver as the new CEO.

Calver has worked at TVNZ for the past ten years, having spent most of her time as director of content. She is currently serving as chief transformation officer. Before TVNZ, Calver spent seven years at sport and entertainment giant IMG in London and Auckland.

Taking up the role in January 2024, Calver will replace current CEO Philip Smith, the founder and owner of the company, who will remain involved in the position of chief creative officer. Smith has been CEO since launching the company with the late Sir David Levene in 2002.

Calver said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Great Southern Television. Philip is an incredibly talented creative and executive and has built a strong independent production company with a fantastic reputation both locally and globally. I can’t wait to help steer it through its next chapter.”

Smith said: “With the industry in a state of change, we have secured New Zealand’s smartest head to guide us through this exciting phase. Cate is a strong leader and blue-sky thinker, and we are absolutely delighted that she has chosen to join the Great Southern whānau (family). As a creatively-led company with a strong cultural foundation and history of innovative thinking, Cate aligns perfectly with Great Southern Television’s values.”

“Cate has displayed great vision and leadership at TVNZ, where she led the content department for a number of years and oversaw the content strategy which has seen the network’s streaming service TVNZ+ transform from a catch-up service to a fully-fledged entertainment and sport streamer—providing the network with a globally acknowledged success story. We know she will bring the same robust thinking to Great Southern Television.

“With so many international series currently in production at Great Southern Television, my focus will switch to the creation and packaging of content for local and international clients—allowing GSTV to take even more great NZ series to the world.”