Bridges dodges questions on role
Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive and former National Party leader Simon Bridges is staying coy on his prospects of leading a merged public media broadcaster.
Last week, sources with knowledge of the recruitment process revealed he was being considered as board chairperson for the new entity, Aotearoa New Zealand Public Media (ANZPM). But Bridges avoided talking about the potential new role when approached for comment yesterday. ‘‘I’ve seen some unsourced rumour and speculation, and I don’t comment on unsourced rumour and speculation. I gotta go guys, good to see you,’’ he said with a wry smile as he walked away from reporters at a Auckland Chamber of Commerce event.
Cabinet is set to decide this year about whom to appoint to the board. Its appointments would be made before Parliament passes the law to merge state broadcasters Radio New Zealand and TVNZ, to form ANZPM next year.
The Government planned to have the law passed by March, to start the merger, and the new organisation is expected to be up and running in July.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was also not keen to comment on Bridges’ prospects this week. She had ‘‘nothing to add or to announce’’ about ANZPM directorships. ‘‘This is highly speculative and I have nothing further to say on this,’’ she said.
After declining to comment last week, Stuff asked Bridges about his interest in joining the ANZPM board yesterday – but he dodged the question, saying he had another appointment.
He joked that he was ‘‘already in the media business’’, when asked if he was considering taking a position leading the merged public media entity.
‘‘’I’m already in the media business. I have a wonderful podcast,’’ he said.
Since leaving politics earlier this year, Bridges has taken a role at Stuff as a podcast presenter as well as Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive.
Last week, Ministry of Culture and Heritage deputy chief executive Emily Fabling confirmed it had been searching for candidates to fill the board for the proposed state mega-broadcaster.
She said its shortlist had been delivered to Broadcasting Minister Willie Jackson, who would still take the options to Cabinet this year.
The TVNZ board hired former National government minister Simon Power as chief executive last year.