Ralston's Fair Go fallout with Milne

Kevin Milne, the iconic host of television programme Fair Go has become the latest TVNZ star to clash with news boss Bill Ralston.

A newsroom argument between the two last week saw Ralston slam an office door so hard chunks of plaster fell from the ceiling, observers have told the Herald On Sunday.

The fallout came after TVNZ reporter Ewart Barns-ley was appointed as executive producer of Fair Go, one of television's most popular programmes. His main competitor for the job was Raewyn Rasch, TVNZ's training manager and a former member of the Fair Go crew.

Milne, who has worked on Fair Go for 21 years, follows Judy Bailey and Paul Holmes as giants of broadcasting to step up to Ralston, who was hired by TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser with a mandate to change its public profile and some of its most familiar faces.

Both Milne and Rasch would not comment, citing the constraints of their contracts with TVNZ.

However, the Herald On Sunday has learned the appointment of Barnsley has split the Fair Go team, who are divided over who should lead them, after its producer John Gillespie left to run One News daily editorial operations.

While Milne made his disappointment clear, there were others who were pleased to see Barnsley take the role.

The row blew up after Ralston announced the appointment to the team, asking if "anyone had a problem with that". Milne replied that he did, and a heated debate ensued.

One observer said Ralston left the office, slamming the door so loudly plaster fell from the ceiling, leading some staff to think there had been an explosion.

Megan Richards, corporate spokeswoman for TVNZ, said the issue had been resolved.

"It's a storm in a teacup. This is television. That's the way it is in a newsroom. They are places where there can be the occasional exchange of vigorous views."

Nigel Keats, media director of Clemenger/BBDO, said Milne was a TVNZ asset. "This is a programme more than most where the credibility of the presenter is of importance. It has been a very successful programme for them for a very long time."

However, he said Fair Go could go on without Milne - should any rift with Ralston lead to a split which could not be reconciled.

"I think he's a very good presenter but I think the programme is perfectly capable of being successful without him."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY