Kiwi The People: Former Southern Cross Country/New Zealand Dir./Content Dan Bernstone is joining NZME iHeartCountry New Zealand as MD. The veteran New Zealand programmer/personality co-founded Southern Cross as the nation's first streaming Country station in 2023 (CAT 12/6/23); the station ceased operations in December. iHeartCountry New Zealand was launched last May as the nation's first terrestrial Country station in more than 30 years (CAT 5/2/25) with programming overseen by NZME Chief Content Officer Mike McClung.