Susan Wood returns to air

Susan Wood

Close Up presenter Susan Wood is set to return to air tomorrow night after apparently settling her pay dispute with TVNZ.

Wood was on sick leave last week as negotiations continued over her contract after TVNZ tried to cut her pay by $100,000 to $350,000 a year.

Head of news Bill Ralston said yesterday that the contract was virtually agreed.

Wood told the Sunday Star Times there were a "few contractual details" left to be finalised, but she was "really looking forward to going back to work".

When asked if she had settled a payment figure, Wood replied "of course", but refused to say how much it was.

Wood took personal grievance case the Employment Relations Authority which ruled that TVNZ could not cut her salary "without her consent".

She then went on sick leave while negotiations continued about her future.

Wood's dispute and last month's departure of chief executive Ian Fraser will come under scrutiny a select committee inquiry which has been forced on the Government by opposition parties.

Committee chairman Shane Jones said the terms of the inquiry, and who would be called to appear, would be finalised this week.

- NZPA