Celebrities write letters of support for Veitch

All Black coach Graham Henry was one of those wrote a letter in support of Tony Veitch. File photo / Richard Robinson

Nearly 20 influential New Zealanders wrote glowing letters in support of Tony Veitch and urging the judge to give him a second chance.

They include All Black coach Graham Henry, Dame Susan Devoy, Olympic gold medallist Hamish Carter and former TVNZ colleagues Jim Hickey, Susan Wood and Bernadine Oliver-Kerby. The character references formed part of the submissions from Veitch's lawyer Stuart Grieve, QC, to Judge Jan Doogue, urging her to impose a community-based sentence on his client.

Mr Grieve told the court that he had never seen such a collection of significant character references in his entire career. Many were in connection to Veitch's work as an MC or guest speaker for various charities, sporting personalities he had interviewed, or television colleagues.

Judge Doogue granted the Herald access to the court file, which included a letter from Graham Henry, whom Veitch had interviewed for radio and television since 1996. "Personally I found Tony extremely enthusiastic, a personality bordering on the hyperactive to the extent I often suggested during the interview that he should 'slow down a touch' or 'cool it'. That probably added a little humour for the listeners," Henry wrote.

Dame Susan wrote: "There is no doubt that Tony deserves a second chance to get his life back and to be able to have the opportunity to work again." Hamish Carter, the triathlete who won Olympic gold in Athens, agreed that Veitch deserved the "right to get on with his life ... What I know of him, above all else, is his enthusiasm, determination and trustworthy character".

Veitch also received support from his former TVNZ colleagues, including reporter Tsehai Tiffen, weatherman Jim Hickey and presenters Bernadine Oliver-Kerby and Susan Wood.

"I have never seen anybody more contrite. It has been painful to watch. He is an honest, decent man and I sincerely hope he is given the chance to rebuild his life," Wood wrote.

Notably there were no letters of support from senior TVNZ management, unlike Veitch's former radio boss Bill Francis. Mr Francis hinted strongly at a return to the airwaves for Veitch. "I have managed many of the top radio talents. I rate Tony Veitch as an exceptional broadcaster and would welcome the opportunity to help him reach his undoubted potential."

Others to write in support were Bill McGowan, chief executive of NZ Golf, former Australian netball captain Kathryn Harby-Williams and Dave Currie, Olympic and Commonwealth Games chef de mission.