Mystery over Sean Plunket blogger's identity

BY MICHAEL FOX

Mystery surrounds the identity of an arts and crafts blogger posing as Morning Report host Sean Plunket.

The popular Radio New Zealand broadcaster is embroiled in a legal dispute with his employer, which has refused to allow him to take up work outside its flagship current affairs programme.

The Employment Relations Authority ruled in favour of Radio New Zealand but Mr Plunket has appealed the decision saying the state broadcaster was purporting to control his spare time.

The 'Sean makes crafts' blog author claiming to be Mr Plunket says he's "not one to let the bastards keep me down".

"Now that I have so much time in the day - after all, I do finish work at 9am... I've found that there's nothing better to fill the day with than using my hands to create something."

The blog goes on to explain how to make candles and pasta dioramas.

However Mr Plunket, who appreciates the humour, says he's not behind the satire and while he doesn't know who is, suspicion has fallen on his co-workers.

"It displayed a level of inside knowledge and humour that was in keeping with the place," he said.

"I think it's bloody funny."

The blog has quickly gained attention, even prompting a call from his mother telling him he should have told her about it.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is also a reader.

"I saw Gerry Brownlee last night and he looked at me and said 'I couldn't believe those fingers and those hands could produce such a delicate work,'" Mr Plunket said.

A blog entry had also popped up during today's Morning Report, prompting the show's producer to ask him if he was working on it during the show.

While Mr Plunket was clueless as to why the anonymous insider had chosen to blog on crafts of all things, he said he felt they were "having a poke at someone besides me".

He had not had any feedback from management about it.

- © Fairfax NZ News