Sports broadcaster Tony Veitch is leaving Newstalk ZB.
Veitch has hosted his afternoon sports radio show Veitch on Sport since 2012. The decision to end the show is part of a wider revamp within the station.
Jason Winstanley, Head of Talk at ZB’s parent company NZME said Veitch “will be missed by many”.
“However, Newstalk ZB wants to broaden our lifestyle content over the weekends to give listeners all they need in one place to stay with us through the afternoon.”
Veitch said “after nearly six years leading the number one radio sports show in the country, it’s time for a change”.
“I’m excited about the future. It’s been a privilege to share the afternoons on Newstalk ZB with sports fans, players and coaches, and I look forward to continuing to share our passion for sport with them all.”
Veitch has been a polarising figure since he was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend Kristin Dunne-Powell in 2009.
Tony Veitch outside court after pleading guilty to reckless disregard causing injury to his former partner Kristin Dunne-Powell.
He pleaded guilty to one charge of injuring with reckless disregard. Six other assault charges were dropped. He received 9 months supervision, a $10,000 fine and 300 hours of community service.
Veitch admitted he “lashed out in anger” and that he paid his former partner to keep quiet about the incident in which he kicked her in the back, fracturing her spine in two places.
He was suspended from his jobs at TVNZ and Radio Sport and eventually resigned from both roles, however in 2011 he returned to his presenting role on Radio Sport.
Many criticised the decision to allow him back into the spotlight as well as his apparent lack of remorse for his actions.
In November this year he attempted a television comeback, announcing he was to host a show on Sky TV, but withdrew from the show after public backlash. He was condemned for his poor choice of words in which he described the show as “hard hitting”.
Anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon called Sky TV “tone-deaf” for hiring him only days out from an international anti-domestic violence awareness day.
Veitch is now working on launching a new show from his own digital platform.
