Mediaworks' apology allows John Tamihere to 'move on'

John Tamihere sued the company alleging defamation and breach of contract. Photo / Natalie Slade, NZ Herald

Former RadioLive talkback hoast John Tamihere says he is moving on after a tough 18 months for his family following the settlement of his defamation action against Mediaworks.

Mr Tamihere sued his former employer over the handling of his exit from his talkback job in the wake of fallout after a controversial interview during the Roastbusters scandal.

MR Tamihere said he was happy the matter had been resolved.

"This has been a tough 18 months on my children and family," he said.

"But the settlement means we can move on, so I accept MediaWorks' apology."

Mediaworks today apologised unreservedly to Mr Tamihere, who sued the company - which operates TV3 and radio stations such as The Rock and RadioLive - in December 2013 alleging defamation and breach of contract. He said he had been made a scapegoat following a public backlash to an interview with a female caller who claimed to be friends with one of the Roastbusters' victims.

The case had appeared destined for a lengthy period of litigation until a surprise settlement was agreed on Friday. Lawyers for Mediaworks had sought to have the case settled by private mediation. In response Mr Tamihere had lodged an appeal with the Court of Appeal arguing the case should be heard in an open court.

That action was withdrawn once the two parties a reached a confidential settlement - which includes a commitment by Mediaworks to broadcast an apology before or after a prime time news bulletin.

Mr Tamihere and co-cost of the Willie and JT Show, Willie Jackson, were heavily criticised following a November 2013 interview with a mystery 18-year-old caller known only as Amy.

The interview was interpreted by some as victim blaming and Mr Tamihere and Mr Jackson were both stood down in the face of a threatened boycott by RadioLive advertisers. Mr Jackson later returned to the air with Alison Mau as his co-host, while Mr Tamihere's contract was not renewed. Mr Tamihere alleged that the public had been left with the impression he had acted inappropriately despite the fact that an internal Mediaworks investigation had cleared him of breaching any broadcasting standards.

Mediaworks' investigation found Mr Tamihere had acted "entirely within his bounds" as a talkback host and had not breached any standard of good taste and decency.

Mediaworks' apology will state the company "unreservedly apologises for any harm caused to Mr Tamihere's reputation and mana".

No charges were ever laid relating to the Roastbusters scandal.

The results of an Independent Police Conduct Authority inquiry made public in March identified a slew of inadequacies in basic police work relating to the case and police issued a public apology to the victims.