TVNZ hiring review to take weeks longer than expected in wake of Kamahl Santamaria saga

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Reports on Sunday said at least one woman in the newsroom had complained about Kamahl Santamaria’s inappropriate behaviour.

The investigation into TVNZ’s hiring processes will take weeks longer than expected – with the broadcaster saying the volume of material to be gone through is part of the reason why.

The probe of recruitment processes at the state-owned broadcaster was expected to be done within four weeks. It was triggered after Stuff revealed the resignation of ex-Breakfast host Kamahl Santamaria was tendered after at least one female in the TVNZ newsroom complained about inappropriate behaviour.

But, the review isn’t ready – and probably won’t be for a few weeks.

When Stuff asked about the status of the review, TVNZ said it was “pleased” with progress, but “we would rather not rush it”.

* Lewd email and kiss attempts of ex-TVNZ host Kamahl Santamaria revealed

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“TVNZ is pleased with the progress being made on this independent review. It will take a few weeks longer than we originally envisioned, and we would rather not rush it. We’ll be sharing the recommendations with TVNZers and the public when it’s complete,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

TVNZ originally said Kamahl Santamaria quit Breakfast after 32 days over a “family emergency”.

When asked for the reason why it was taking longer than expected, TVNZ said it was due to the availability of people involved and “the volume of documentation to be reviewed”.

“The independent reviewer has had to accommodate the availability of interviewees throughout this process,” a spokesperson said.

The external review is being done by employment lawyer Margaret Robins.

It was announced by TVNZ’s chief executive Simon Power on May 31, who admitted there had been “many lessons learned” since the Santamaria story broke – with TVNZ originally telling the public his exit, after just 32 days on air, was down to a “family emergency”.

Just over a week after Power’s announcement, the terms of reference “for an independent review into recruitment policies, procedures, practices and processes” was finalised, with TVNZ saying at the time it had “requested that the review is completed within four weeks”.

However, four weeks later, TVNZ has now said those terms of reference anticipated it would take “at least four weeks” or as soon as practical after.

The spokesperson said when Robins’ review is finished, it will be put before TVNZ’s acting general counsel, in-house lawyer Claire Addis.

Addis will provide the findings to TVNZ’s “management and the board under legal privilege” – meaning those communications will be confidential.

“Management and [the] board will then decide next steps, including if any changes to the relevant policies, processes and practices should be implemented from a continuous improvement perspective,” the spokesperson said.

“We’ll be taking any recommendations seriously and looking for all opportunities to improve our policies, processes and practices.”

The fallout from the Santamaria saga has seen TVNZ’s news boss on leave since May 31.

Head of news and current affairs Paul Yurisich, who worked with Santamaria at Al Jazeera, recruited his former colleague to TVNZ. Stuff understands concerns were raised with Yurisich over the process of Santamaria’s recruitment.

Stuff has also previously revealed a lewd email sent by Santamaria during his employment at Al Jazeera.

The email, subject-lined “At the risk of embarrassing you…” was sent by Santamaria to a young, female, then-colleague in the Doha office of the respected global TV network.

In the document, Santamaria openly objectified the appearance of the recipient, and, a second Al Jazeera colleague.

The email read: “.. there is no more attractive outfit on a woman than the white blouse/black skirt combo…… and YOU are making it work, baby ;)

“(Between you and [name withheld], I may just combust!!)”

Santamaria signed off the email with three kisses “Xxx”.

Stuff has interviewed the recipient of the email, who also said Santamaria tried to kiss her - in the Al Jazeera newsroom - on at least two occasions.

The woman described a power imbalance with top anchor Santamaria and resorted to hiding in the toilet to avoid him at work.