Leishman buoyed by public support

Sports broadcaster Phillip Leishman is recovering well from brain surgery and has been buoyed by messages of support from friends and the public.

The television veteran had the operation last Thursday, a week after learning he had a brain tumour.

Yesterday his brother Mark, a radio host on The Breeze, said Leishman was resting at the Auckland home he shares with his wife, Michelle.

The couple have a son studying at Otago University and two teenage daughters at high school.

"He's going really well ... there's still a bit of a waiting game involved, but he - as we all are - is just really hopeful for a positive outcome."

Leishman had told a close family friend he hoped to be back at work in a few weeks, but his brother was more cautious.

"I think he's certainly got a bit of resting up to do. It's an exhausting business, as you can imagine. He'll probably find out later in the week what the best advice is."

Leishman had been buoyed by the messages of goodwill he had received, his brother said.

"It's been fantastic, and it's really lifted him up."

A broadcaster since 1970, Leishman has been a longtime fixture of New Zealand's television landscape. Most recently he has hosted Golf Club and The Golf Show.

He has also covered Olympic and Commonwealth Games for TVNZ, as well as yachting, tennis, league and rugby.