26 July 2004

TVNZ Could You Please Explain?

New Zealand First leader Rt Hon Winston Peters wants to know why TVNZ has decided that taxpayers should pay for an additional front person on the Breakfast Show, after deciding in July last year that one presenter could do the job.

This follows the appointment of Paul Henry as a co-host of the morning television show.

“The axe fell on the show from July last year following claims that restructuring and redundancies were a cost-cutting exercise to shave $4.5 million from the $46 million news and current affairs budget,” said Mr Peters.

“Now, after getting rid of Mike Hosking in January, TVNZ now feels that more money should be spent on reverting to the original arrangement of two front people.

“This trial and error approach will come out of taxpayers’ pockets, just like Mike Hosking’s reportedly large payout.

“While this is no reflection on Mr Henry, who has excellent credentials, TVNZ executives should explain publicly whether they were trying to get rid of Mike Hosking or just bluffing when they embarked on their so-called cost-cutting exercise,” concluded Mr Peters.

ENDS

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