TVNZ Decides Not To Appeal Hawkesby Arbitration

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

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