RNZ's Plunket may move to RadioLive

Sean Plunket. Photo / Paul Estcourt

RadioLive is looking at a role for Sean Plunket when he leaves Morning Report on September 8.

Radio New Zealand's star interviewer announced on Tuesday he had resigned after 13 years co-hosting Morning Report.

The resignation came the day after details emerged of Plunket's deal with RNZ, which revealed the background of the broadcaster's decision to lift its ban on Plunket writing a column for Metro magazine.

RadioLive general manager Mitch Harris said he had spoken with Plunket this week and was looking at ways to put him on the talk station.

"I like him," said Mr Harris. "We've always liked him. But being based in Wellington is a problem for us."

When Plunket fell out with RNZ last year, RadioLive had looked at using him as part of double up.

Meanwhile, Plunket's resignation has caught RNZ on the hop.

Management has had a tetchy relationship with Plunket for years.

But after the Metro column deal, it seemed tensions between Plunket and RNZ CEO Peter Cavanagh had eased.

Plunket took Radio New Zealand to the Employment Relations Authority to fight for the right to write a column for Metro.

He was backed by other RNZ stars.

Radio New Zealand argued Plunket's column would undermine RNZ as an unbiased source of news.

When the ERA found in Radio New Zealand's favour Plunket lodged an appeal to the employment court, which he later withdrew.

Broadcasting sources say Plunket made a substantial payment to RNZ for costs of that case.

The confidential deal allowed Plunket to provide a column about Wellington, but not politics.

Chief executive Peter Cavanagh would have been able to look at copy before it was published.

Plunket resigned the day after it became apparent that the details of that deal were in circulation.

His departure creates plenty of issues for RNZ.

Co-host Geoff Robinson is coming to the end of his tenure in the
next year or two, and the government is appointing new members to the board of directors, which is under pressure to rethink its priorities.

There may be pressure to look at the Morning Report format.

The job pays around $150,000 a year, with an early-morning start, and
lacks the glamour of TV.

Among Radio New Zealand broadcasters who may be considered to replace Plunket is Checkpoint host Mary Wilson, a strong interviewer whose manner might be a little harsh for early-morning listeners.