The departure was foreshadowed by David Seymour last month when he suggested Paul Thompson would not be "answering the call at RNZ for much longer".

The chief executive will leave at the end of the year, say sources.

The RNZ Board will recruit for a new chief executive once the new Chair and Board members are confirmed.

The departure was foreshadowed by David Seymour last month when he suggested Paul Thompson would not be "answering the call at RNZ for much longer".