Gloat, you read this at Roar prawn first....

Sad but true,

and isnt it ironic that this is all about RNZ worrying about competition when it doesnt compete commercially with any media ??????

Plunket will find a good home - I've heard his phones been going since the story broke on Roarprawn.





Plunket looks for new job after RNZ row
4:00AM Tuesday Sep 23, 2008By John Drinnan
Sean Plunket. Photo / NZ Listener
Radio New Zealand's Morning Report host Sean Plunket says he is "moving on and looking for a new job" after 11 years with state radio.
Radio New Zealand insiders said that difficult relations with RNZ boss Peter Cavanagh had come to a head when the CEO banned him from hosting tonight's pre-election debate about the internet on TVNZ 7 Freeview.
Political commentators typically swap around media for special shows in the run-up to elections.
But an insider said that the row went beyond that and on to plans for Plunket.
"They want him to be the new Geoff," said the source.
Plunket's co-host Geoff Robinson is expected to move on soon.
Plunket - who is arguably New Zealand's toughest broadcasting interviewer and famous for taking politicians to task - said that after 11 years he was looking for a role that had a new spark. He had not resigned yet.
"I'm putting my portfolio together and I'll be taking my time," he said.
TVNZ 7, a digital information channel available on Freeview, confirmed that Plunket pulled out of hosting tonight's internet debate suddenly at the weekend.

"But that is a matter between him and Radio New Zealand," said TVNZ 7 management. Blogger and journalist Damian Christie was assigned to the programme at short notice. Plunket would not discuss the demand that he pull out of tonight's internet debate.
A Radio New Zealand source said Mr Cavanagh was insistent Plunket could not have a role outside RNZ.
Plunket said there was nothing in his employment contract that limited his hosting special events for other media.
The TVNZ 7 audience is tiny and a high-profile presenter like Plunket would attract viewers. But Mr Cavanagh is said to be wary about boosting TVNZ 7 and has stopped other freelancers from working for the new Freeview channel.
It is understood he fears that as TVNZ 7's audience grows it will undermine RNZ's role promoting National Radio.