Williams to replace Veitch for Olympics

Veteran broadcaster Peter Williams will replace Tony Veitch as Television New Zealand frontman for the Beijing Olympics.

Williams will present the evening coverage, and the sports news within the 6pm bulletin, while Geoff Bryan will continue as presenter of the daytime Olympic coverage.

Veitch has been sidelined from his sports presenting jobs at TVNZ and Radio Sport after last week admitting "lashing out" at former partner Kristin Dunne-Powell in 2006, an attack that reportedly put her in hospital with four broken bones in her back.

Ms Dunne-Powell was reported to have received a payment of up to $170,000 to keep quiet about the incident which was revealed by the Dominion Post last Monday.

Williams will travel to China with the bulk of the TVNZ Beijing team on August 2.

Neil Waka will fill in for Williams on Breakfast and Midday on TV One during the Games.

Williams was the anchor of TVNZ's Sport on One programme from 1980 to 1992 and has covered Olympic and Commonwealth Games as well as cricket and rugby world cups.

- NZPA