Tumultuous Times at TVNZ

Helen Clark herself has had the finger pointed at her for leaking Judy Bailey's $800,000 salary.

In extraordinary testimony to the Select Committee looking at the shambles we call the TVNZ (politically appointed) Board the outgoing CEO has anchored the leaks to Helen Clark and Heather Simpson.

Director Dame Ann Hercus has resigned (and this time managed to get it to stick) and the heat is now on a relatively new Board member John Goulter, who Ian Fraser alleges is at the centre of the latest leaks on managerial competence. Goulter has the pedigree - when CEO at Auckland Airport he had one bit of paper on his desk - the names of all VIP's due to fly through "his" airport that day. I understand he unfailing met Helen Clark when she was travelling through - nice personal touch!


Of course we know the PM has form as well - who leaked to the SST unhelpful (to the victim) allegations on Peter Doone? A Policeman Clark wanted rid of? Clark has bestrode this road well and frequently.

The strategy worked last time - methinks she may have kicked the tar-baby once too often. This hearing is going to get messier. The mess will be ugly.