Veitch's ex complains to police

Hours after broadcaster Tony Veitch today resigned his TVNZ and Radio Network jobs, police announced Kristin Dunne-Powell had laid a formal complaint against him.

A police spokeswoman said Ms Dunne-Powell had approached police within the last 24 hours.

Police, already investigating an allegation of assault against Veitch, said they had no further comment on the matter.

Three detectives have been working on the case since Veitch apologised last week.

Veitch was suspended from both jobs last week days after The Dominion Post newspaper revealed he had assaulted Ms Dunne-Powell in 2006.

The attack left her back broken in four places and Veitch was alleged to have later paid her more than $100,000 in a confidentiality agreement.

Veitch resigned after an outcry over the revelations.

He will be paid out three months' notice at TVNZ and one month at The Radio Network (TRN), with both employers today paying tribute to his broadcasting talent.

But the National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges said his position was untenable and he was wise to resign.

TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis said today the resignation was immediate.

Veitch had severed all ties with TVNZ, including hosting the sports show a Game of Two Halves, Mr Ellis said.

While TVNZ had discussed options with Veitch and his lawyers, Mr Ellis would not say if Veitch had to either resign, or be sacked.

"It is fair to say Tony has taken the decision to resign off his own bat," Mr Ellis told a media conference today.

Had Veitch not resigned, disciplinary action would have started, Mr Ellis said.

The incident was very embarrassing for the state channel, Mr Ellis said.

"As a company, TVNZ does not condone violence – it is not OK."

TVNZ had been "absolutely inundated" with letters, emails and phonecalls from the public showing extreme disappointment and disapproval.

There would be changes to "management and employment practices" but none of the four senior managers who last December met Veitch to discuss the incident would be disciplined.

Veitch went to that meeting to discuss a "distressing personal issue" and spoke of a "minor fracas", Mr Ellis said.

He was told to go to a lawyer and referred to Simpson Grierson, the law practice used by TVNZ, but that was a private matter not funded by the channel.

Mr Ellis said he still did not know details of the attack other than what he had been told by senior staff.

"We are not a court of law, we are not a police organisation. We can only accept what the employee has told us at the time," he said.

"We don't have the right to demand information about a person's private life."

Mr Ellis said TVNZ was aware the controversy had caused "enormous stress" to Dunne-Powell, who formerly worked at the state broadcaster.

"I know that Kristin was a very talented and hard working marketer, and I am deeply saddened that two people who have added much to this company should now find themselves in such a devastatingly painful situation.

"Irrespective of what actually happened more than two years ago, two talented young people have paid a heavy price."

Veitch, who had worked for TVNZ for around 13 years, today issued a statement saying he needed to take stock of his life and spend time with his family.

In the statement Veitch thanked TVNZ and The Radio Network for their "ongoing support".

"I need to take stock of my life and spend time with my family before I make any decisions about my future. At the time I undertook counselling and am still continuing to do so. It has been a great help. I am extremely grateful for the love and support of my family and friends.

He asked that the confidentiality of the agreement he reached with Dunne-Powell be respected.

"At all times I have been honest with my employers and at all times I have tried to do the right thing for everyone."

"There have been a lot of statements made that are untrue which make it untenable now for me to continue in my current roles with TVNZ and the Radio Network."

TRN's general manager talk programming Bill Francis told NZPA the resignation arrived by letter.

Veitch had worked for TRN for about three years, said Mr Francis.

"He resigned, giving one month's notice as required and he will get paid out for the one month and that is it.".

He would not put a dollar amount on the payment.

He said a decision on a permanent replacement for Veitch would be made "in due course".

Veitch worked for The Radio Network for about three years and was rating "steadily" in a niche market, said Mr Francis.

"Tony is an exceptional broadcaster, well above the average, and really at the point of real growth," he said.

"There can be no winners out of this."

National Collective of Independent Women's Refuges chief executive Heather Henare, said Veitch was wise to resign.

"What Tony understands as being the right thing to say and do is still not in touch with complete reality and accepting full and unconditional responsibility."

- NZPA and The Dominion Post