TVNZ defends firing employee over Rankin comment

TVNZ is standing by its sacking of a security guard after he was marched out the door for talking to a breakfast show commentator about her remarks about Maori and child abuse.

Louis Rawnsley, who had worked for the state broadcaster for 24 years, told TV3 News he quietly told Christine Rankin he thought her comments were "over the top". He said it was a "bit harsh to blame all Maori for the actions of four idiots."

TVNZ public relations spokeswoman Megan Richards said the broadcaster fired Mr Rawnsley after he subjected Ms Rankin to an "extended and abusive exchange".

"His job was to welcome visitors to the organisation and to ensure a safe environment for them," she said.

Mr Rawnsley was at his post and in his uniform when the exchange took place, and had just completed his shift, she said.

"He was representing the company very clearly and it is totally unacceptable for any visitors to our organisation have to endure abuse from staff irrespective of anyone's views on the issues of the day."

Ms Rankin appeared on TVNZ's Breakfast show, representing her For The Sake of Our Children Trust.

When asked on the show about Maori and child abuse, Ms Rankin replied:

"I don't know what the problem is. And you know what? I don't care anymore. What I care about is those children that are being beaten and battered and abused."

Ms Rankin, who was calling for an independent inquiry into child abuse, has previously said political correctness was stopping people from talking about why Maori were hugely over-represented in child abuse statistics.

When contacted by NZPA today, she acknowledged she had been spoken to by the security guard but said she had nothing further to add.

"What goes on in TVNZ has got nothing to do with me," she said.

Ms Richards stressed TVNZ had not fired the security guard following a complaint from Ms Rankin, but instead investigated the exchange independently.

"I don't want to imply this was a response a complaint. When we heard this had happened, we made our own inquiries."

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) national secretary Andrew Little said the union was following up Mr Rawnsley's sacking with TVNZ management.

"There's something seriously wrong in TVNZ if it thinks it's okay to provide a public platform for someone claiming we `have a Maori problem' but to sack a longstanding and loyal worker for making a polite and private criticism of that view," he said.

"People like Christine Rankin can't expect to express controversial views without alternative views also being expressed."

- NZPA