Moeke has 'sweetheart deal' says Hide

Former Te Mangai Paho (TMP) chief executive Trevor Moeke has been given a "sweetheart deal" at the Maori broadcasting agency, says Act MP Rodney Hide.

Mr Moeke was retained as TMP "project manager" after his resignation as chief executive when a review into his management was made public two weeks ago.

Details of what he would do on his nine-month contract were contained in a letter written to him on July 2 by TMP chairman Wira Gardiner.

Mr Moeke would, "in broad terms", focus on:

* Operational support to the TMP iwi radio team.

* Conducting a risk assessment of current productions funded by TMP.

* Scoping options for establishing an industry training organisation ... for Maori broadcasting interests.

* Participating in official processes to review and make recommendations on improved Crown-entity monitoring arrangements between Te Puni Kokiri (as TMP's monitoring and review agency) and TMP.

* Participating in strategic planning and forecasting processes in conjunction with the acting chief executive and board.

"In addition the board will require you to be available to provide background information and assistance in relation to ad hoc internal reviews it commissions during your period of employment," Mr Gardiner wrote.

The letter did not say what Mr Moeke was going to be paid. That information was confidential, a spokeswoman for Mr Gardiner said.

Mr Hide said Mr Moeke was "in limbo land".

"They wanted rid of him, but the previous board had agreed to sign him up for another three years, so they had to negotiate a sweetheart deal where he stays on for nine months, and they have had to come up with 'Claytons' work for him."

Mr Moeke went on paid leave last month while a review into his performance was carried out.

The review was prompted by several matters, including a Treasury report that criticised the way TMP handled a conflict of interest involving a former employee, Tame Te Rangi.

Mr Te Rangi was involved in approving grants to a sports broadcasting company while he was being paid by it for rugby commentaries.

Since then there have been disclosures of failed contracts that TMP signed with production companies which were supposed to make programmes for the new Maori Television Service.

The review, conducted by Herewini Te Koha, focused on Mr Moeke's handling of the Slightly Offbeat Productions project and his attempts to retrieve some licences while the company was in liquidation.

Te Mangai Paho released the full review yesterday.

It exonerated Mr Moeke, saying that his actions were well notified to the board and that he had complied with relevant legal and contractual provisions.

His actions were at all times proper and lawful, appropriate and effective, and transparent to the board, the review said.

- NZPA