5.30pm
Radio New Zealand chief executive Sharon Crosbie will step down at the end of the year.
RNZ board chairman Brian Corban said today Crosbie had advised him she would leave her position as chief executive and editor in chief at the end of December.
Mr Corban said Crosbie would leave the company
in good heart at a time when there was a revival in government support for public broadcasting, a new funding agreement, and a positive conclusion to recent pay negotiations.
RNZ would immediately begin an international search to fill Crosbie's role, he said.
"The company will undertake a normal search and recruitment exercise for a senior appointment of this nature."
Mr Corban said Crosbie had made a significant contribution to public broadcasting during her eight-year tenure in the positions.
"There have been outstanding contributions from many fine broadcasters over the years and Sharon Crosbie stands with the best of them... she has made a significant contribution to the heritage of public broadcasting in this country."
In recent times Crosbie has made news due to a prolonged employment dispute with RNZ's head of news Lynne Snowdon.
Snowdon has been absent from work for seven months after a falling out with Crosbie over budget and staffing issues.
She has been on sick leave since January after her doctor diagnosed she was suffering from depression triggered by a stressful work environment.
In June, the Employment Relations Authority ordered RNZ to take Ms Snowdon back and pay her $3000 in compensation.
RNZ appealed, arguing Ms Snowdon should first undergo a psychiatric assessment. This month the Employment Court ordered the parties to negotiate over the assessment.
- NZPA
