Last week, in my article: “Hold the Line”, I pointed out a rumour being fanned by NZME’s Barry Soper, spouse of NZME Newstalk ZB host Heather Du Plessis-Allan.
Soper claimed that a 1News crime piece revealing that gang numbers now surpassed police numbers, with data supplied by police databases, was so egregious to the government, that an unnamed TVNZ “executive” had reached out to Police Minister Mark Mitchell, to apologise.
My article speculated it was the National Party appointed Board member Paul Henry, who had previously texted Paul Goldsmith to seek Goldsmith’s approval for Henry’s role hosting ‘The Chase’.
Today, Newsroom’s Sam Sadcheva revealed that the unnamed executive is actually National Party appointed Board Chair Andrew Barclay, a former Goldman Sachs investment bank boss, and the Director of Auckland Hospital Foundation
Goldsmith invoked the ‘Bill Clinton’ defence in describing the encounter, claiming he “didn’t recall” but admitted Barclay “pro-actively” sought his counsel and discussion.
After the “discussion” TVNZ’s Political Editor, Maiki Sherman, was then tasked with calling Mark Mitchell’s office to essentially eat crow, or as Barry Soper described it “apologise”
TVNZ then ran a subsequent story this week to ‘correct the record.’
It’s hard to describe how absolutely incredulous and ire raising this is.
A National Party hack seeking out a conversation on newsroom reports, interfering in its essential media independence, and having its staff then reach out to government figures to apologise is pure media interference.
First, Benedict Collins’ report did offer ground breaking, “bulletin-breaking” news: Despite it being an election promise and National Party crowing about gang numbers every year when Labour were in power, NZ saw higher gang numbers than police for the first time in memory.
That is hugely significant - especially as gang members continue to grow, police are outnumbered, gangs are making double profits and organised crime presence is solidifying itself. Out of sight is not out of reality, and it is up to responsible media to help cover that which may no longer be obvious.
Second, Newsroom co-editor Tim Murphy wrote on X that despite the government getting its wish from 1News, in fact:
Turns out -49k crime victims' stat Govt wanted covered, while new, was just another increment down from # announced/reported in Nov (-38k) & Aug 25 (-29k). Good trend but not bulletin-busting news. Gang stats were new
Murphy also pointed out:
In the old days, 2018, broadcasting minister Clare Curran resigned after an undeclared coffee with RNZ exec Carol Hirschfeld - who also stood down - after criticism from opposition MPs. TVNZ board chair rang senior minister to discuss negative coverage
Finally, there remain substantial questions about National’s claims of reduced crime, specifically because police coverage is now reduced and they no longer attend most mental health and family violence call outs. Therefore the survey this government is using is highly likely to exclude significant numbers.
MOJ data is also hugely inconsistent -
Ministry of Justice Data - October 2025
And the discrepancy with police stats too deserves scrutiny -
Irrespective of this, National have a compromised TVNZ Board - with at least two Directors now confirmed as reaching out to Paul Goldsmith for consultation and approval.
This is wholly unacceptable - and a critical matter when it comes to an already heavily compromised and weakened corporate media environment within New Zealand.
Newsroom Scoops:
TVNZ board chair rang senior minister to discuss negative coverage - Sam Sadcheva
Govt gets its wish from 1News – a headline on fewer crime victims - Tim Murphy
I have stopped watching TV news, other than the occasional incidental time when at someone else's place. My news now comes via RNZ app on my phone, and a few substack writers. We are fortunate to have Mountain Tūī , Bernard Hickey, Gary Payinda and Susan St John, to name just a few of them. The doctored soundbites from TV are tailored to those with a short attention span. Unfortunately, (imo), they also vote!
This is a sorry state of affairs. Only thing I can say is at least they didn't merge tvnz and rnz - could've been even worse. (Though I think rnz standards are slipping somewhat too)