The Life Of Brian

Broadcaster Brian Edwards has rejected a new contract offer by Radio New Zealand for his ‘Top of the Morning’ Saturday morning show effectively ruling out his further participation in the programme.

In a letter to Radio New Zealand Chief Executive Sharon Crosbie, Mr Edwards said two conditions of the contract, the lack of a pay rise, and the insistence that he pay indemnity insurance, were unacceptable.

His letter went on to say negotiations on the matter were “concluded.”. He also offered an apology to the 100,000 plus audience of his show.

Ms Crosbie said she was disappointed with Mr Edwards reaction after the station had opened a dialogue with the presenter. She said that public broadcasting did not have an open purse and under current funding restrictions could not afford to pay the presenter any more.

On National Radio’s Kim Hill show Mr Edwards estimated his current salary at over $76,000 annually, a small amount compared to the $700,000 plus salary given to television broadcaster Paul Holmes and John Hawkesby.

Meanwhile Ms Crosbie said that Mr Edwards, who works three to four days a week researching and presenting the top rating show current salary worked out at $124,800 a year.

Radio New Zealand would now be looking for a new presenter to take over the show.

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