Tony Veitch's media statement

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Outside court today, Tony Veitch made the following statement:

"I'm really not sure how to explain how I feel right now.

"While this has been a hideous time for everyone in my life..... I'm relieved it's finally over.

"Until now.... because of severe legal constraints... and the agreement i signed...  I've been unable to say anything.... let alone defend myself.

"From today that stops.

"Despite what some in the media have reported over the past nine months.. I never shyed [sic] away from what happened on that night over three years ago

"I paid Kristin's medical costs at the time.

"I was so concerned about what happened and it was so out of character I undertook counselling to help me understand how i could be driven to such a place.

"That is not me. It will never be me again.

"I wish I had handled things differently that night......
 
"I told my family, my wife and close friends exactly what happened on January 29th 2006. They stood by me then, and continue to stand by me now.

"For that I am eternally grateful.

"When it was necessary.... I also told my employers at TVNZ the full and total truth.

"I also believed if I didnt pay the $150,000 our wedding day would have been at risk.
 
"What still confounds me... is my misguided belief that Kristin and I actually parted on good terms.

"While we both realised our relationship could not work..... we remained in contact for a full year after the incident and attended counselling together.

"Today is the result of some long hard thinking.

"I had two choices. My day in court... Which I desperately wanted.... but I knew would be two years away. Or end this now. Save everyone more pain.... and allow my wife, and our famillies to get back to a normal life.
 
"I now look forward to working with charities which I love and I am passionate about, as part of my community service.

"And I am grateful sense has prevailed and the other charges have been dropped.

"There is one final point I would like to make.

"Much has been written and said over the past nine months which defies belief.

"As a journalist I'm at a loss to understand how certain media organisations could run with stories on the basis of a  "source" and without fact.

"From today we will begin legal action against them, in the hope that they realise... It's one thing to condemn a person via the media.... It's another to slander them.

"Thank you to all of those who have helped me through this ordeal.

"Thank you to my famillies [sic]....

"Thank you to all of you.... Who sent messages of support.

"And most of all thank you to my wife Zoe.... Who is quite simply, the toughest, most rational, intelligent, beautiful woman in the world.

"I would never have survived this without her."