Sean Plunket admits to media gig

Sean Plunket. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Broadcaster Sean Plunket has admitted taking money to train people he then hosted on Radio NZ's Morning Report show.

Plunket said he saw no conflict of interest and never disclosed the sideline work to his radio bosses.

The admission came after a spat with former television and radio interviewer Brian Edwards whose company trains public figures like Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown to handle media questions.

Plunket wrote in a newspaper column that he knew she had been trained by Edwards: "She just seemed more, well, I hate to say it Brian, fake."

Edwards retorted that media training had been "a decent little earner" for Plunket.

Plunket admitted to the Herald on Sunday he had trained people on how to deal with the media - and then interviewed them.

Radio NZ spokesman John Barr said National Radio had strict policies around staff taking secondary employment.