Tony Veitch's announcement he will be returning to TV has prompted disgust online and a stern message from an anti-domestic violence group.
The sports broadcaster was convicted of injuring his former girlfriend Kristin Dunne-Powell with reckless disregard in 2009.
Veitch pleaded guilty over the 2006 incident, which left Ms Dunne-Powell with a fractured back.
Six other assault charges were dropped by the Crown.
But on Wednesday Veitch announced his return to screens in what he described as a "hard-hitting" new show.
"I've decided to get back on TV with a new 'issues'-based show on [Sky TV]," he wrote in a since-deleted post on Facebook.
"This is what I've been waiting for... a hard-hitting, opinion-led show that does not shy away from controversy."
Social media users have slammed the decision, accusing Sky TV of glossing over domestic violence.
"The tale of Tony Veitch must be such an enormous comfort for abusive men who would otherwise be shitting themselves," a Twitter user commented.
"Serious violent assault and zero remorse ever shown. Is this what your company's values are?" another questioned.
Domestic violence campaign White Ribbon New Zealand also pitched in on Facebook.
"White Ribbon wants to see men that have used violence, move to being non-violent, and those who sit on the sidelines and do nothing about this violence take an active role in ending violence.
"But what message does this appointment send?"
Sky TV says Veitch won't host the new show, New Zealand Press Box - but will be one of a panel of commentators along with Olympic medalist Valerie Adams and NZME host Martin Devlin. Bernadine Oliver-Kerby will host the show.
"Sport is full of drama, and it shouldn't just finish at the final whistle," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"The line-up will be debating some of the major sporting topics over the last month."
"It's either going to be controlled chaos, or just plain chaos," added Ms Oliver-Kerby. "Either way we're going to have a lot of fun."
Last year Veitch published a column with NZME, where he works as a radio host, apologising for the assault. But many believed it did not go far enough.
"Even though it was the only time that I have ever lashed out in my life, once was too much," he wrote.
"I should have walked away, but instead I hurt someone and I can't ever make that go away.
"I live with what I did every day and as a result of my role in media, I live with it everywhere."
On Thursday The AM Show Host Duncan Garner pointed out it's not the first time Veitch has returned to broadcasting since his conviction.
"I'm not defending him in any way - I'm a father, I'm a husband, I find him abysmal.
"But he's had a radio show for a number of years - are people up in arms about this?"
"He is still broadcasting," social media presenter Aziz Al-Saafin agreed.
"I think the point that people are trying to make is that I suppose a part of that punishment initially when he was convicted was the TV gig he had was taken away from him."
Newshub.
