TVNZ's head of news and current affairs Paul Yurisich has resigned following an investigation into the media company's hiring processes in general, as well as the specific recruitment of Kamahl Santamaria.
In May, Santamaria resigned from his role as a Breakfast presenter just 32 days after he started. The former Al Jazeera journalist resigned amid reports of a complaint of inappropriate behaviour there.
TVNZ staff earlier reportedly raised concerns about the process of hiring Santamaria because Yurisich also previously worked at Al Jazeera as an executive producer.
TVNZ's chief executive Simon Power said in a statement he has accepted the resignation of Yurisich.
"Paul has spearheaded a digital transformation for our newsroom which has set TVNZ up strongly for the future, and we are grateful for his dedication, and the results he has delivered," he said.
"This time was, of course, framed by the COVID-19 pandemic through which Paul led TVNZ's News and Current Affairs team in the midst of incredible newsgathering and operational challenges."
Power also added he wanted to thank Yurisich for his commitment to TVNZ and wished him well for the future.
In addition to the independent review, the broadcaster decided to have senior employment lawyer Margaret Robins undertake a review of several policies, including those relating to internal workplace complaints and the development of TVNZ's 'Speak Up' Policy.
"The review's findings and its recommendations provide a clear path to ensure TVNZ's recruitment practices and internal policies are adequately robust and fit for purpose," Power said.
"I'd like to thank Margaret Robins for her thorough and considered work on this.
“We support the findings and recommendations of the review. There are improvements needed in our recruitment policies and work is already underway to embed these."
The chief executive added the hiring process of Santamaria was not followed properly.
"In the hiring of Kamahl Santamaria, the review stated the recruitment policy was not applicable to the hiring of key presenters, and therefore was not followed in this situation. The review found ultimately, that the fundamental problem was the failure of TVNZ's Recruitment Policy to provide a suitable process."
Power said Phil O'Sullivan will continue in the role of acting head of news and current affairs.
