TVNZ is delighted with the Court's decision. The court had no hesitation in agreeing that Marae Investigates' decision to exclude Mr Alp from the debate was not based on any irrelevant or unfair criteria as he claimed.

The decision recognises TVNZ's constitutional right to make editorial decisions in news and current affairs without being dictated to by interested parties, and reinforces that the courts will not interfere with those decisions save in exceptional and compelling circumstances.

Justice Priestley said that Mr Alp's application for injunction failed at the first hurdle, and there was no serious issue to be tried. The application should never have been brought and we will be seeking reimbursement of our costs to the fullest extent available.

The debate will be broadcast on Marae Investigates which screens after Q+A on TV ONE, 10am Sunday mornings.