10 March 2000 TVNZ MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
TVNZ DECIDES NOT TO APPEAL THE HAWKESBY ARBITRATION PAYOUT
TVNZ will not be appealing the arbitration payout awarded to John Hawkesby after his contract to read the news on TV ONE
was cancelled.
Board Chairman Dr Ross Armstrong says the matter has been discussed by the Board and it has decided not to proceed with
the appeal.
Dr Armstrong, acting on legal advice, says TVNZ’s chances of winning the appeal were slim.
“In my view I do not consider it appropriate to spend more of the company’s money on this matter.”
"In the interests of staff morale and public confidence in TVNZ I instructed the company's lawyers to negotiate a
settlement with Mr Hawkesby, and as a result the appeal will not be proceeding.”
TVNZ has paid Mr Hawkesby the sum of $6,537,000 inclusive of GST.
While acknowledging the further legal proceeding pending from TV3, Dr Armstrong says the sooner TVNZ can put the
Hawkesby affair behind it the sooner it can begin the task of reshaping itself into the more public service oriented
broadcaster its shareholder wants it to be.
Ends
For further information contact:
Liam Jeory, Communications Manager
Ph: 09 916 7575 or 021 416 400
Leigh Wilson, Communications
Ph: 09 916 7398 or 021 776 694