NZ hosts finish 2013 early after controversy

Staff Writer
Willie & JT

Last week, NZ RadioLive hosts Willie Jackson and co-host John Tamihere found themselves in hot water and needing to apologise over an interview they conducted with a friend of an alleged victim of the Roast Busters group.

Audio of the interview and more about the apology is here.

After an online campaign, many advertisers of the MediaWorks station then suspended their campaigns.

In this ever evolving radio story from NZ, the duo have announced that today would be their last show for 2013.

Their full statement said:

This will be our last show on RadioLIVE for this year.

We will be taking the next few weeks to review what happened last week with the management here, and agree what action needs to be taken.

We do not condone rape in any way and did not intend to blame the victims. Rape is a terrible crime and the victims who come forward deserve support and respect.

We deeply regret the comments we made last week and the upset they caused so many people.

We also want to apologise to the clients of RadioLIVE who've had to deal with negative feedback to their businesses because they advertise in our show.

Closer to home, we regret the impact this has had on our wives, children, grandchildren and communities. We also apologise to the staff at RadioLIVE and throughout the MediaWorks whanau who have had to deal with the fallout.

RadioLIVE will update you on our discussions and plans as is appropriate.

As this will be our last time on the radio this year, we wish you and your families a safe and happy Christmas and send our aroha to you all.

Hear audio of their announcement :-
https://radiotoday.com.au/music/RadioLive.mp3
or hear it here.

MediaWorks Radio Chief Executive Belinda Mulgrew said:

"We apologise unreservedly for any offence or distress caused to listeners, clients or others by Willie and JT's interview with Amy."

The afternoon shift will remain ad free for the rest of this week with an announcement from RadioLive regarding a replacement host to be made soon.

More in the NZ Herald.

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