Herald on Sunday hit by Veitch search warrant

Tony Veitch. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Police investigating broadcaster Tony Veitch have obtained a search warrant for the Herald on Sunday offices to get a tape recording of an exclusive interview he gave the paper.

The interview, conducted by broadcaster and columnist Paul Holmes, was the only time Veitch had discussed the allegations that he had assaulted his former partner. Police are assembling evidence to present to a court depositions hearing next month, and want the recording for their case.

Police have not yet executed the warrant.

Editor Shayne Currie said the newspaper would co-operate with police in accordance with police guidelines for media searches, but would not breach any journalistic ethics. He said he would be taking legal advice as well as consulting Holmes before deciding whether the tape would be handed over.

"There are a number of issues to consider, including whether the tape contains any information obtained on a confidential and off-the-record basis."

In the interview, three days after the allegations were published in July last year, Veitch described the alleged 2006 assault on Kristin Dunne-Powell.

"There was a terrible incident which I have lived through, thought about, regretted, tried to explain in my own head and in my own heart since it happened two and a half years ago. What I can say is, I didn't know how to react or handle myself."

Veitch said that he took his then partner, Kristin Dunne-Powell, to the hospital, where doctors thought she had bruising. Two months later, he said, she told him that there were bone injuries to her back.

"We reached an agreement that I would pay her to cover her medical expenses, loss of income and to help her get on with her life again. I can't say more than that."

Glenda Hughes, a former police officer who is acting as Veitch's spokeswoman, said yesterday the Holmes interview had been in the public arena since July 13 last year. "It's surprising that it had taken this long to make the decision to obtain a search warrant. We are not concerned about this but we just find it unusual."

"It's also odd that they have notified a Sunday newspaper on a Friday of their intentions to execute a warrant. I would be surprised if this was best practice and I would have to question the motivation and the timing."

Detective Kellie Bissett, who is working on the Veitch inquiry, referred all questions to an Auckland police spokeswoman. That spokeswoman, Noreen Hegarty, said:

"The warrant will be executed. We are obliged to execute it. That will be done at a time negotiated with Mr Currie."