TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman had been suspended from Parliament for five days by the Speaker.
The Speaker's office said Sherman "engaged in attempts to secure an interview that went beyond the prescription and spirit of the rules that had previously been agreed by the press gallery and Parliament".
"Ms Sherman, the TVNZ political editor, has informed me that it was not her intention to go beyond the rules, but accepts that she did, and has accepted also the decision on this matter."
He said that "other outlets also breached parliamentary rules as they pursued a story relating to the National Party caucus activities on April 21", but "I'm not able to identify individuals who were part of those breaches".
He had determined the five-day suspension was the most appropriate course of action, he said, and indicated the matter was concluded and he would not comment further.
The suspension followed a clash between the media outlet and the National Party over a series of matters.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last week cancelled his weekly slot on the state broadcaster's Breakfast show, saying it was an update to his approach with three separate TV news shows.
Brown had publicised the complaint on social media, claiming members of TVNZ's team had broken Parliament's rules by following Smith into his corridor, "aggressively" banging on his door for several minutes, refusing to accept Smith declining to comment further, and pressuring Smith about how his refusal would be portrayed on Breakfast the following morning if he did not speak.
However, TVNZ disputed that account of what happened and the right place for such complaints was with Parliament's Speaker - not TVNZ or social media.
Smith was being pursued for comment after being absent from a key caucus meeting during which Luxon had called a vote of confidence in himself in the wake of leaks from the caucus and consistent polling below 30% for National.
As chief whip, his absence was unusual - not least given his excuse of a "long-standing personal appointment" during a weekly meeting all the party's MPs are typically expected to attend.
Smith had been reported as having sought to speak to Luxon over Easter weekend about flagging support among the party's MPs for him ahead of Luxon's reshuffle of Cabinet - part of his job as chief whip - but was unable to get in contact with the leader.
The reports had come from Tova O'Brien - who hosts TVNZ's Breakfast - and the New Zealand Herald. Smith had refused to comment for four days - until the after the caucus meeting.
That response - a statement from the Prime Minister's office, in Smith's name - denied he had attempted to contact Luxon.
Smith did not speak about it publicly until the following day, where he again denied trying to contact Luxon, or being handed a letter to pass on to Luxon about support.
After the caucus vote, Luxon came out of the meeting with a statement heavily critical of the media.
"If the media want to keep focusing on speculation and rumour, I am not going to engage," he said.
"Kiwis expect the media to ask us the tough questions about our policies, to hold us to account on our pledges to New Zealanders, and to interrogate us about the things that matter to them. They are not interested in the media soap opera. Everyday Kiwis will not be losing sleep over political slideshows in Wellington."
In a 3.30pm all staff meeting at TVNZ, chief of news and content Nadia Tolich spoke of the dispute - but there was no mention of Sherman's suspension.
A staff member speaking to RNZ on condition of anonymity said Tolich told staff the state-owned broadcaster was a safe and inclusive workplace, and referred to the run of stories involving staff.
"It's a pretty tough situation at present," Tolich said, "and I know they're feeling it."
She said while she could not go into specific details, her door remained open to staff.
This story was first published on rnz.co.nz |  |
