Shrink sent to TVNZ

A psychologist has been sent by Television New Zealand to sort out staff friction in its Wellington newsroom.

It is the latest attempt to defuse staff problems threatening to prove an embarassment when the board and managers are called to Parliament for a select committee inquiry.

The Herald on Sunday has learned Auckland-based business psychologist Jasbindar Singh has been flying to Wellington over the past month to help senior managers and a reporter resolve differences.

"There are deep-seated issues of mistrust," a source told the Herald on Sunday. Ms Singh refused to comment yesterday, citing client confidentiality. But her website reveals her methods.

It reads: "I work with your emotional and spiritual intelligence as well as your physical and intellectual capabilities in an integrated, holistic and balanced manner. The methods I use to consistently give results include a mixture of proven psychological principles, understanding of management and systemic issues and profound spiritual truths."

TVNZ spokeswoman Avon Adams said Ms Singh had been working for TVNZ for more than two years as a regular consultant. "We use consultants as and when we need them."

TVNZ has had a recent bout of staff problems, the most public being the challenge from Close Up @ 7 presenter Susan Wood when it tried to cut her pay by 22 per cent. TVNZ was ordered by the Employment Relations Authority to bargain with Ms Wood from scratch.

On Tuesday TVNZ enters mediation with former One News executive producer Melanie Jones, who was fired by news and current affairs head Bill Ralston.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY