Holmes cops parting shot

By RUTH BERRY

TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser has again hit out at Paul Holmes, saying he dealt with his departure in a "ballistic" fashion.

But he also says it's "time we all move on".

The veteran broadcaster resigned suddenly last week, after failing to increase the length of his contract with TVNZ.

He has secured a longer-term contract with Prime.

Holmes' departure sparked an ugly exchange with his former TVNZ bosses, who said he was past it.

Holmes hit back, accusing them of presiding over a "major commercial cock-up".

Mr Fraser yesterday said he had "no concerns" about the way the drama had played out, suggesting it was all over - while taking a few extra jabs at his former employee at the same time.

"There's been the appropriate sort of ballistic response; it's what I would have expected. The only thing I would say now is that we all move on.

"I don't feel bruised or wounded about anything that has been said. I think these things are engaged in in a robust manner.

"I think that what's happened is that both sides have decided to call a spade a spade.

"The proposition has been put that TVNZ, in some sort of mad act of negligence, let go a property that we should have been holding on to like the crown jewels."

This was "not TVNZ's perception and in fact that's not the position we were in".

"It's in Prime's interest, obviously, to push the sense that this has been an enormous coup and that they have whipped the crown jewels from under our nose," Mr Fraser said.

"The fact of the matter is ... we were adamant ... that we were not going to move beyond a one-year contract."

Holmes could not be contacted last night.