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As the police investigation into allegations Tony Veitch assaulted his former partner steps up with the laying of a formal complaint, a friend of the presenter has described him as a broken man.
After the allegations became public last week police said they would investigate, but Auckland University criminal law expert Scott Optican said it would be very difficult without the co-operation of the victim.
Late yesterday, a police spokeswoman confirmed they had received a formal complaint from "the former partner named in the media", Kristin Dunne-Powell.
Veitch last night refused to discuss the matter. His lawyer, Douglas Alderslade, also refused to answer Herald questions.
Ms Dunne-Powell could not be reached for comment.
Radio Sport host Brendan Telfer told Newstalk ZB this morning Veitch was finding media reports difficult to deal with, especially given he could not comment under the terms of a legal agreement.
Telfer said the past week or so had been the worst of Veitch's life and he was now a broken man.
Telfer accused media rivals of playing a huge part in Veitch's fall from grace and he should be judged by the courts - not the media.
Veitch, 34, yesterday resigned his high-paying positions at TVNZ and the Radio Network, 10 days after being suspended by both.
In a statement, he said he needed to "take stock of my life and spend time with my family" before making any decisions about the future.
He said he was still undergoing counselling, which was "a great help".
"At all times I have been honest with my employers and at all times I have tried to do the right thing for everyone. TVNZ has been my life, I have loved my job. There have been a lot of statements made that are untrue which make it untenable now for me to continue in my current roles."
At a press conference, TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis confirmed Veitch's 13-year tenure with the state broadcaster was over and he was now "completely disassociated" from the company. He will no longer host the popular sports trivia show Game of Two Halves or the One News sports section.
Although Mr Ellis would not say whether the frontman had jumped before he was pushed, he acknowledged Veitch's voluntary departure was "an easier outcome" than any disciplinary procedure would have been.
Veitch would be paid for the three-month notice period, but would not be required to work it, Mr Ellis said.
He conceded the Veitch affair had tarnished the TVNZ brand, and the company had been "absolutely inundated" with viewer correspondence showing both "extreme disappointment and disapproval".
Veitch could earn at least another $65,000 over the next three months despite not returning to work. He was understood to be earning about $180,000 at Radio Sport and about $200,000 at TVNZ. He will be paid out $50,000 for three months' notice from the TV network and about $15,000 for one month's notice from the Radio Network.
A TVNZ review into the matter is expected to be completed in the next month.
Radio Network boss Bill Francis described Veitch's resignation as "a tragedy for him and for others", but the pair remained friends.
Women's Refuge said Veitch had done the right thing by resigning.
- With NEWSTALK ZB
