"I don't have a problem being put under scrutiny, but I'd like to know whose agenda is being pushed. I've had photographers jump out of the bushes to get shots of me and my family," Tamihere wrote.
However, any sympathy Tamihere may have courted was quashed when Nippert and his family became his target of attention in paparazzi-style photos. Three pics were uploaded to the RadioLive website, alongside Tamihere's statement. They included a secret snap of Nippert, the street he lives on and the house he shares with his wife and young baby.
Tamihere says Nippert has an "infatuation with Waipareira and its business".
But what business is it of RadioLive, and parent company MediaWorks, to allow one of its radio jocks to use its website and airwaves as his own personal platform?
Nippert didn't want to comment about Tamihere's online statement, nor the paparazzi photos, but he told The Diary Tamihere had an opportunity to comment in "the two stories I wrote, but he refused to answer questions".
Tamihere did not return calls, but a rep for MediaWorks told The Diary the offending material was removed immediately when RadioLive bosses became aware of it.
"The online statement and photos came down as soon as management became aware of them. We don't condone our hosts settling disputes of a personal nature on air or on our website," said Rachel Lorimer. New processes ensuring it does not happen again were being examined.
However, Tamihere's statement and the paparazzi pics remain on the Waipareira Trust's home page.
It's not the first time Tamihere has taken a swipe at the media. Last year, he blasted TV3 political reporter Tova O'Brien, calling her "a stupid little girl" following coverage of his attempted return to the Labour Party.
Back to Mother Earth
Legendary rocker Steven Tyler, who plays Dunedin's Forsyth Barr stadium with his band Aerosmith next week, boasts he has Maori friends in high places - despite never visiting our shores before.
"I have a good friend who is a Maori chieftain. He is hooking me up with some people and I'm looking forward to getting tribal and getting back to Mother Earth in New Zealand," the 65-year-old told The Rock radio station this week.
Tyler, a self-confessed fan of Maori jewellery, said his actress daughter, Liv, bragged about New Zealand after working here on Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings.
Evidently she didn't crow about the student city or the pronunciation of its name. "How do you say it?" he quizzed. "Dune-din, is that right?"
Meanwhile, fellow rocker Ozzy Osbourne, 64, who plays Auckland's Vector Arena with his band Black Sabbath on Saturday night, is unlikely to front up about rumours that his 31-year union to wife and longtime manager, Sharon, is over.
Stories circulating in the British and American press this week claim the marriage has broken up and the pair are reportedly living apart following rows between them allegedly over financial problems and an unpaid tax bill. Others say the rumours are false.
Whatever the truth, hitting the Hollywood gossip headlines is propelling the Black Sabbath singer back into the limelight at a convenient time. All tours need publicity, especially when they're yet to sell out.
Parker in training
As Rachel Hunter enjoyed the Coachella music festival in California with her family this week, and X Factor judge Daniel Bedingfield prepared for his upcoming Las Vegas concert, promising young heavyweight Joseph Parker was knuckling down to a two-month training camp.
The humble kid from South Auckland took to Twitter to show off his lavish Las Vegas digs, which are part of a reported $50,000 financial commitment to get Parker boxing-ready for his bout against Francois Botha in June. The 21-year-old is being trained by Kevin Barry.
