Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says claims about TVNZ's political editor over an alleged incident at a pre-Budget event last year "should be looked at".
The claims were first circulated publicly by a blogger this morning, claiming a homophobic slur was used.
The incident allegedly happened at a May 13 function hosted by Finance Minister Nicola Willis for press gallery journalists, including TVNZ’s Maiki Sherman, ahead of the 2025 Budget.
Willis said a journalist involved had used "a slur" amid a "dispute". Ani O'Brien, the blogger who made the accusations, alleged homophobic language was used by Sherman.
A TVNZ spokesperson, in response to questions over the alleged incident, said it "does not comment on employment matters".
Goldsmith told reporters he had not been at the event and did not know any details.
"Some allegations have been raised, and they should be looked at," he said. "But it's not something that I'm directly involved in."
Asked whether he would speak to Willis, Goldsmith said: "Not particularly. I mean, I think that's something that's been raised, and that's something for TVNZ."
Goldsmith and Willis are shareholding ministers in the state-owned media company.
'Offensive language'
The Finance Minister released a statement earlier today confirming she had hosted the function before last year's Budget.
"I was out of the room for a few minutes and returned to hear offensive language being used. I ended the event at that point," she said.
"The following day, I checked in on the welfare of the reporter at whom the language was directed. He advised me he did not want to take the matter any further.
"I respected his decision."
It is alleged the language was directed at Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr. In a statement, his employer said it "stands by, and has complete faith in" Burr's "account of the events and his conduct" that night.
"We will continue to respect his wishes not to comment further on what occurred that night," the statement said.
Willis spoke to media at Parliament this afternoon. Asked what she thought should happen now the matter was public, Willis said: "That's not a matter for me." Asked who it was a matter for, she replied: "TVNZ."
Willis said she had not been involved in the story becoming public.
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