RNZ exec knew merger was up in the air weeks before spending thousands on staffer’s US trip

Radio New Zealand executives knew the merger with TVNZ was on shaky ground before forking out thousands for a staff member to stay in New York, Boston and Toronto while visiting media outlets.

Although RNZ
said the staffer’s trip overseas was a “personal one”, they confirmed accommodation related to the media visits were approved and reimbursed by RNZ.

In a document, released to the Herald through an Official Information Act request, RNZ said a total of $4268 was spent on the hotels in North America in late December and Early January this year. This included the $462 per night at the Soho Marriott in New York.

“RNZ only paid for accommodation on the days she was engaged on work-related visits (please see the attached spreadsheet). Flights and incidental expenses were funded by [the…