Clark concerned for TVNZ's reputation

Helen Clark

Prime Minister Helen Clark said today she is concerned for TVNZ's reputation after it suffered a week in the news instead of making it.

TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser controversially resigned last week and the network continued to get negative publicity when it was revealed his contract allowed him to stay on for six months and be paid $300,000, half his annual salary, for doing other work.

Adding to the furore, Close-Up presenter Susan Wood took TVNZ to the Employment Relations Tribunal last week over the state-owned broadcaster's attempt to cut more than $100,000 from her salary of $450,000.

The Government is sensitive about salaries after the publicity fallout around the departure of the highly-paid broadcaster Paul Holmes and the outcry over Judy Bailey's salary increase to $800,000 last December.

Today Miss Clark told Newstalk ZB the problems were concerning.

"I worry about TVNZ's reputation if these sort of shenanigans were seen to go on," she said.

"I suppose what concerns me is I know that TVNZ is made-up of decent hard-working people who have a passion for television, want to see the best possible programmes go to air, and it's just a pity when it's let down like this."

Miss Clark did not think political appointments on the board needed to be replaced.

"I don't think it's a question of singling out individuals, I mean people roll over in the normal course of events, and apart from Ann Hercus I don't think there's anyone else who's been involved in Labour politics locally and of course it's 15 years since Ann retired from Parliament."

- NZPA