KEY POINTS:
Former broadcaster Tony Veitch was hospitalised on Friday amid serious concerns for his health and safety.
The 34-year-old, who faces seven charges of assault against his former partner, Kristin Dunne-Powell, is understood to be being closely monitored by family and counselling and medical experts.
Family and friends frantically
searched for him on Friday afternoon, after he left Auckland city in his vehicle.
The Herald on Sunday understands a helicopter was involved in the search for Veitch, and that he was taken from Mangawhai, north of Auckland, to Auckland Hospital for medical treatment. He spent Friday night in hospital and is understood to have been discharged yesterday.
A St John communications shift inspector confirmed an ambulance callout to a Mangawhai address on Friday around 4pm but declined to comment further as "it was a police matter now". The inspector confirmed a 34-year-old male was taken to Auckland Hospital.
Veitch has been the subject of intense media and public scrutiny for the past two months, following allegations that he assaulted Dunne-Powell.
Spokeswoman Glenda Hughes said last night Veitch was being supported by family in a very "difficult, stressful time.
"Situations like this take a major toll on human beings. At this stage we are very concerned for Tony's health and wellbeing."
Zoe Veitch told the Herald on Sunday last month that the stress had taken its toll on her husband. He had lost weight, had not been sleeping and his hair was falling out. Panic attacks, during which he sweated and shook, occurred regularly.
"There is not a good night's sleep. Quite often he will shower at least three times during the night. His whole life has been torn apart," she said.
Veitch and his wife have left their Herne Bay home to move in with close family members. Hughes said the family had pleaded that their privacy be respected.
The former TVNZ and Radio Sport presenter appeared in Auckland District Court last Tuesday for a hearing to allow him to change the address to which he is bailed.
Veitch is due to reappear in court on September 22 for a pre-depositions hearing.
The Herald on Sunday understands Veitch and his wife have rented out their $2.2 million Herne Bay home. They are also selling a million-dollar home in St Heliers, currently leased by Blue Chip finance company co-founder Bob Bangerter and his wife Maree Aitkenhead.
Seven assault charges were laid against Veitch three weeks ago, including one in relation to an incident in which he allegedly threw water at Dunne-Powell as well as more serious allegations.
Outside Auckland District Court, Veitch said that all charges would be "vigorously defended".
Veitch's lawyers have hired a private investigator to help barrister Stuart Grieve QC uncover details for his defence, while adviser Hughes is managing the intense media interest.
Dunne-Powell has not made any public comment since allegations against Veitch surfaced more than two months ago, however she has had the help of PR experts as well. Star PR - which does work for Woosh, where she is sales and marketing manager - has been dealing with media inquiries.
She has just returned from a holiday in Fiji with husband Morgan Powell and is back at work at Woosh.
Veitch entered no plea in court three weeks ago and was forced to surrender his passport.
Outside the court Veitch said there would be more revelations to come.
"I now look forward to every chance and possibility for all information and all of the facts to be played out in the appropriate forum.
"There are two sides to every story and I guarantee that will come out in the end," he said.
The 34-year-old resigned from his jobs on Radio Sport, where he hosted the breakfast show, and TVNZ, where he presented One News' sports.
All Blacks great Andrew Mehrtens has been touted as a replacement on the morning radio show.
His name has been included in a telephone poll asking for listeners' opinions on broadcasters as the station considers who will take over the 6am slot. Radio Sport boss Bill Francis would not comment on whether Mehrtens was in the running for the job. "The best I can say is no one is in, and no one is out."