TVNZ chairman admits in letter to Broadcasting Minister 'thorough reference checks were not undertaken' in Kamahl Santamaria hire

For those who give a fig...

TVNZ's acting chairman admitted in a private letter to Broadcasting Minister Kris Faafoi that "recruitment policy was not followed" in the hiring of disgraced Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria and "thorough reference checks were not undertaken".

 

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But in a letter on May 31 obtained via Official Information, TVNZ acting chair Kevin Molloy openly admits to Faafoi that proper hiring processes were not followed - and Faafoi acknowledges this.

 

"I can confirm that TVNZ has a recruitment policy, and a Code of Conduct which sets out the Company's expectation of all its people," Malloy writes to Faafoi.

 

"The recruitment policy was not followed in that thorough reference checks were not undertaken, although the Head of News & Current Affairs had worked with the candidate previously.

 

 

 

"It is the view of TVNZ that the policy needs further reviewing and strengthening, and an independent review of the process undertaken. To that end, we have engaged independent employment lawyer Margaret Robins to undertake a review of relevant TVNZ policies, processes and practices to ensure they remain fit for purpose and appropriately robust."