RNZ chair refuses to release 'inappropriate' voicemail left by Broadcasting Minister as meeting saga continues

Richard Griffin is fronting the committee over the Broadcasting Minister's meeting with RNZ staffer Carol Hirschfeld.

RNZ Chair Richard Griffin has refused to release the voicemail message left by Minister Clare Curran after a formal request by a parliamentary committee.

Mr Griffin says the message was "inappropriate" but says it would be unethical for him to make the message public.

Carol Hirschfeld and Clare Curran.

The Minister called the Chair at 8.26am last week to suggest that he could write a letter to the parliamentary committee rather than appear in person.

Mr Griffin says she made a strong suggestion it would be better if he stayed away but the Minister says she was just passing on advice.

The committee was held to correct the record over the Carol Hirshfeld saga, where the Chair and chief executive of RNZ inadvertently lied to MPs.

In a letter sent to the committee Mr Griffin says: "The Minister's inappropriate call to me and the content of the message on the phone, whatever she said or meant, is not any part of the matter requiring correction.".

"I have reached a firm, personal decision that I was correct in my original determination not to play or release the Ministers message. In fact I would be breaching my own ethical boundaries…".

"…I respectfully decline the request by the Committee".

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