TV man quits after 4 months

NZ on Air's new television manager has resigned four months after arriving from Alaska to start the job.

Simon Phillips started at NZ on Air in July, replacing Neil Cairns, who left after five years.

He went on sick leave last week, and yesterday NZ on Air acting chief executive Bernard Duncan said he had resigned. He would not divulge the reasons for either the sick leave or the resignation.

Nor would Mr Duncan say how much NZ on Air had paid in relocation costs. Mr Phillips was recruited from a small public broadcasting station he worked for in Alaska after an international search by NZ on Air.

As television manager, Mr Phillips was responsible for about 60 per cent of the NZ on Air funding that goes mainly to producers to help pay for local content, in 2004-05 a sum of $62.5 million.

His resignation comes soon after Paula Tyler resigned from her job as Child, Youth and Family chief executive after 18 months of her three-year contract. The Government spent $70,000 relocating her and her husband, Peter Kruselnicki, from Canada.

The State Services Commission has since said it would change its contracts to require some moving costs to be recovered if an executive left early.

Mr Duncan would not comment on any relocation costs NZ on Air paid for Mr Phillips, who was in a second-tier management job.

Mr Duncan said it would not affect funding decision rounds.

Kathryn Quirk has been appointed acting television manager. She also filled in between Cairns' departure in early 2005 and Mr Phillips' arrival in July.

An Australian, Mr Phillips worked as a director of television programming and production for two years at the US Public Broadcasting Service's KUAC Alaska One TV station in Alaska before coming to New Zealand.

His appointment by former NZOA chief executive Jo Tyndall raised eyebrows because of his lack of experience in the New Zealand market.

At the appointment, Jo Tyndall said, "We are fortunate to have found someone of Simon's calibre, who can deliver on the mix we need," prompting NBR commentator John Drinnan to note: "It's not clear whether the 'mix' included an understanding of the New Zealand psyche and culture."

Mr Phillips did not have a high profile in his last job. He was largely responsible for buying and scheduling programmes. He was also involved in the set-up of a local travel series, Anywhere Alaska, and a 90-minute documentary about the railroad.

Carolyne Chapman, KUAC's human resources director, said Mr Phillips had left his mark and his departure was a big loss.

It is understood Mr Phillips and his wife have two adult daughters, his grandchildren and his father in New Zealand.


NZ on Air

*A Government agency that gives grants for production of local programming on television and radio, as well as of up to $5000 for local music videos.
* It has helped fund programmes including Bro' Town and the Insider's Guide to Love and documentaries.

- Additional reporting: Errol Kiong