TVNZ stay mum on Ralston

A resolution has been reached between TVNZ and news and current affairs boss Bill Ralston over an obscene phone call he made to a journalist - but the network is refusing to say what disciplinary action was taken.

Disciplinary proceedings began against Ralston on Monday for "very serious" and "quite unacceptable conduct" after he swore at a Herald on Sunday journalist. The journalist had requested information about Ralston's relative, who had spent the past 16 years living under a bridge on Auckland's North Shore.

Initially Ralston volunteered information about his cousin. However, shortly after, Ralston contacted the newspaper and abused the journalist in a tape-recorded phone call. TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis described Ralston's conduct as "very serious" and "quite unacceptable" and not what he would expect of anyone in the company - and not what the public should expect either.

TVNZ spokeswoman Megan Richards confirmed the matter had now been resolved, but would not divulge what action had been taken against Ralston.

Although she acknowledge Ralston's behaviour was "unacceptable", she said it was now business as usual.