TVNZ board must go, National says

Susan Wood arrives at the Employment Relations Authority in Auckland today. Phil Walter / Getty Images

The Television New Zealand board should be sacked, the National Party said today.

Its broadcasting spokeswoman Georgina te Heuheu said Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey should take action immediately.

She said the Government appoints the board and the minister is responsible to taxpayers.

TVNZ chief executive Ian Fraser quit this week saying he had lost confidence in the board as a result of what he claimed was interference in the running of the station.

It has been revealed a dispute over Close Up presenter Susan Wood's contract was behind his decision to leave.

That dispute went to Employment Relations Authority in Auckland today.

TVNZ is trying to trim $100,000 from Susan Wood's $450,000 salary and Wood told the hearing she had been through an "appalling few weeks" as a result.

She said the pay negotiations had affected her sleeping and eating and she had shouted at her children in a way she never had before.

Head of News Bill Ralston has told the hearing that outgoing CEO Ian Fraser directed him not to offer Ms Wood any more than 350 thousand dollars, because the board would not agree to it.

Meanwhile, TVNZ has reversed its earlier position that it would be appointing an acting chief executive following the departure of Fraser.

The state-owned broadcaster had said it would appoint a temporary replacement this week allowing Mr Fraser to step down immediately.

However TVNZ now says that in the interim, the chief executive's duties will be shared between two senior managers who will report to the board once a week.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA