The bashing of a Fair Go reporter at a Mount Maunganui car yard has prompted New Zealand's state broadcaster to review its security procedures.
TVNZ's Gordon Harcourt was assaulted on Friday while filming an episode for Fair Go.
Harcourt was in Mount Maunganui investigating a used-car dealer who had previously been the subject of complaints made to Fair Go when things got ugly.
Police were called to the scene about 3pm after a report that Harcourt was ambushed by three men.
Harcourt suffered a black eye, bleeding nose and suspected concussion after allegedly being punched three times while filming at the car dealership.
It is understood Harcourt stayed in Rotorua the night after a doctor who treated him ruled against flying.
A 47-year-old company director was arrested and charged with assault.
The man has since been bailed. He is expected to reappear at Tauranga District Court on Thursday.
In February, Harcourt exposed the caryard for offering $800 for a "repo-ed wreck", which it later put back on the lot for $7000.
The arrested man also runs a finance company used by the caryard and charges rates of 30 to 35 per cent and more. After an outpouring of shock and support on Fair Go's Facebook page, Harcourt posted a message saying he was surprised and grateful for the messages of concern.
"My shoot in Tauranga was rather more eventful than planned, but I can't actually say why because a charge has been laid. I'm fine apart from a bit of a sore head, though the makeup team might have quite a challenge on their hands getting me presentable for this week's show. Well, more of a challenge than usual ... cheers, Gordon."
Harcourt had not been the victim of an assault before.
A comment that reflected much of the 60-plus Facebook messages came from Sue Sheat.
"Looking forward to the b ... going down. Hope you are okay Gordon and remember we all appreciate what an awesome job you all do, and we probably forget that some of the lowlife you are dealing with are violent."
Harcourt told the Bay of Plenty Times he declined to say more on the matter given the court appearance later this week.
TVNZ spokeswoman Andi Brotherston said this morning that Fair Go's executive producer and legal team would decide today if the footage would be screened in this week's episode.
What was filmed will be used as evidence. Ms Brotherston said the team at TVNZ were reasonably satisfied with security for Fair Go but the incident had prompted another look at security procedures "in wake of this".
"Gordon is one of the hardest working journalists at TVNZ and will be at work today."
No one was at the caryard yesterday and calls to the man and a man listed as the after hours contact for the caryard went unanswered.
TVNZ's news and current affairs boss Anthony Flannery said Fair Go crews were occasionally jostled and threatened while filming "but rarely has anyone been physically assaulted in the programme's 34-year history".
Security routinely accompanies Fair Go on jobs where confrontation is possible but Friday's job was not considered to be one of those situations."
Fair Go stalwart Kevin Milne said the show rarely used back-up security for its reporters although staff were well aware of the potential for serious conflict.
"I think it ramps things up to be honest. I wouldn't like to [have security] unless there were very good reasons for doing so. But I suppose if it became a regular thing you might do though. As I say I've never been attacked."
A cameraman who was with Harcourt was not hurt during the incident although TVNZ were still determining was damage had been done to the camera equipment.
While the name of the car yard involved has not yet been made public, other Mount Maunganui car yards spoken to today hoped the incident would not taint the image of the industry.
One said most used car dealers acted in a professional manner.
"Obviously we certainly don't want to be tarred with the same brush. We are not happy about that at all."
Another said he was not too concerned that his business could be confused with the one involved.
"I think at the end of the day, probably Joe Public knows who it is anyway. It's not hard to guess."
One dealer said the incident was "not a good look for the industry".
"It's not good that this sort of thing is happening. Matters that might come up need to be resolved before they get to the media."with Ellen Irvine and APN
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