RNZ recalled to Parliament to clarify Carol Hirschfeld controversy: 'They felt that they had misled the committee'

March 29, 2018

Parliamentary select committee chair, National's Jonathan Young, said RNZ will come back on April 5 to clear up inaccuracies on the Hirschfeld, Clare Curran meeting.

RNZ has contacted a Parliamentary select committee to put the record straight over misleading information they unwittingly gave on Carol Hirschfeld's meeting with Broadcasting Minister Clare Curran.

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson and board chair Richard Griffin appeared before the Economic Development, Science, and Innovation committee on March 1 for an annual review.

During that appearance, the RNZ executives retold the story as Hirschfeld had originally represented it - that it was a coincidental meeting. 

However, Broadcast Minister Clare Curran's diary revealed that the meeting at Wellington's Astoria Cafe was in fact planned.

Hirschfeld had to resign over an arranged meeting with Broadcast Minister Clare Curan, and Jeremy uses Cluedo to explain why.

Hirschfeld has since resigned as RNZ's senior manager, and today RNZ have got in contact with the Parliamentary select committee to resolve the inaccuracies they consider a "natural justice issue".

Chair of the committee, National MP Jonathan Young, said RNZ was moved to present again by a sense of their reputation among New Zealand audiences.

"I think Radio New Zealand really appreciate the place they have in New Zealand media and for them it's important that they maintain that record of integrity and I support that. It's their desire, it's our desire as well."

Mr Young said such committee recalls were "quite unusual but it has happened in the past".

RNZ will present before the parliamentary committee on April 5 at 9am.

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