Police have been in the spotlight after other official documents revealed that a senior police communications manager tipped off the documentary makers to Phillips’ death on the morning of September 8, before members of the fugitive’s family were aware.
Dame Julie Christie and a cameraman at the scene of the Tom Phillips shooting in September last year. Photo / Mike Scott
Police also permitted documentary maker Dame Julie Christie and her crew behind a cordon at the scene of the shootout, while other media were kept out.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Media Insider that he would soon consider various options, including whether to withdraw police support of the documentary or veto the footage that police had allowed to be filmed behind cordons.
In his most expansive comments to date on the documentary, Chambers said he was awaiting the outcome of various inquiries, including an internal police review into oversight and management of the documentary project and other media during the case.
“Doing documentaries is not new,” Chambers told Media Insider.
“We’ve done documentaries many, many times over the years, but what is really important is that we respect all media organisations and the role that they play.
“Whilst we can do a documentary, what occurred in that situation … is that when the relationship gets so close that you end up telling that documentary crew about a tragedy before the family knows about it, that’s a no-no.
“And the second no-no is that you don’t get access to a crime scene, like what was given. That’s a no-no as well.
“So, no problem with doing documentaries, but play with a straight bat and make sure that we abide by the guidelines that are put in place for those documentary providers.”
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers. Photo / Cameron Pitney
A public inquiry and the internal police review are expected to be completed in the next few weeks.
The internal police review is scrutinising how the organisation dealt with the documentary crew and other media during the case.
Essentially, “if something went wrong, where did it go wrong?” said Chambers.
“That’s specifically in relation to the way that the media was managed.”
He confirmed police had the right to pull their support from the documentary, essentially not allowing anything that was filmed with police support to go ahead.
“I’m not in a rush to make a decision, but the way that the agreement was worded does certainly give police the ability to make that decision completely, or something in between.
“When do we get to the point when we can make that decision? I think we need to let these couple of inquiries progress first. We’ve also got the coronial matter that needs to progress. So it’s going to take some time.
“I think it’s right that we let all the investigations take their course.”
He also said: “I default to the fact that there are aspects that I’ve become aware of that [I’m] not happy with – [including] the access to the crime scene…
“So if we allow any part of the documentary to go ahead, at what point does that stop, and how do we deal with it then?
“There’s a bit to consider first. When’s the right time to say ‘enough’s enough’?”
The documentary
The Netflix documentary, expected to be between 90 minutes and two hours long, is being produced by Christie’s NHNZ Worldwide production company and British-based Grain Media.
Christie is one of New Zealand’s most renowned and respected TV producers, the mastermind behind multiple reality TV hits and documentaries.
Dame Julie Christie. Photo / Jason Dorday
Christie and her production crew received exclusive access behind police cordons as officers investigated Phillips’ four years on the run and the shootout that led to his death.
As one source reiterated, Christie and the crew were not at any fault in the saga. The spotlight was on how police had handled matters.
Christie did not return a message yesterday.
In a text message in September, she said: “I’ve been doing police-follow docs for 32 years. We’ve been working on this one all year and through much of the investigation. It’s really important to me.”
The documentary came under earlier media scrutiny.
“I think this documentary needs to be killed off immediately,” Newstalk ZB host Heather du Plessis-Allan said at the time of the shootout, raising concerns around Phillips’ children.
Christie herself was at the cordoned-off scene of the Phillips confrontation in Waikato, alongside several members of her documentary crew, including at least one camera operator and former TV3 journalist Karen Rutherford.
Aerial shots of the scene of the shootout between police and Tom Phillips (inset) last year. Main photo / Mike Scott
One journalist told Media Insider at the time that members of the crew had been allowed through the cordon and, for at least two hours, were working at the scene where Phillips shot a police constable at close range, before the father of three was shot dead by other officers.
“The kind of talk that’s happening between all the reporters is why is this allowed to happen?” the journalist said.
“We’re here for the public interest. They’re there to make money. Why would the police be giving them such access? Maybe it’s because the police are able to control the narrative somewhat.”
The crew had also been given up-close, exclusive access to senior officers during the day, the journalist said.
Family concerns
In an earlier statement to RNZ, Phillips’ sister Rozzi Phillips said she opposed the documentary.
“Our family is disturbed that anyone would want to profit from our tragedy. At this worst of times, the children’s privacy must be protected. They should not be filmed. No footage of them should be published and their ordeal and recovery should not be used for entertainment.”
The children’s mother, Cat, has held the same position. “When informed of this project by the police, I made it absolutely clear that I do not support, endorse or consent to its production,” she told RNZ’s Mata podcast and show last year.
Christie earlier defended the documentary, saying it followed the detectives tasked with the years-long search. “We have never asked to shoot anything with the children. We have been with the same small group of detectives only, for the past seven months,” she said in a text to the Ryan Bridge Today show. “We have not seen the children. We abide by strict police rules at all times.”
Chambers told Media Insider he had not spoken to Christie in recent months.
He said he had been supportive of the documentary, within the rules, like he had been with previous projects.
“I also wanted the story told about what my staff were doing … I’ve seen it over a number of years. I know how hard they’ve worked and that’s a bit of an untold story.
“I want that story told about what they do, but there will come a time when actually, we might have to say, ‘right to that point, and that’s it’.”
He also had to take into account the views of other people.
“We have to be respectful of different families. I need to take into account a range of views, given the situation and how it ended.”
Matthew Hooton’s town hall speech
If ever there was an illustration of the challenge that Matthew Hooton is about to face as The Post editor-in-chief, it’s in the various reactions to a “town hall” speech he made to his new newsroom charges on Thursday.
Multiple Stuff sources and others have reported a range of feedback – good, bad, aspirational and “all over the place”.
Matthew Hooton is the new editor in chief of Wellington’s The Post.
Hooton said he was unavailable to chat yesterday, and he did not respond to a follow-up message.
Hooton was announced this week as the new editor-in-chief of The Post and Sunday Star-Times – he takes the reins officially later this month, but he’s already under way in the business, in a cross-over period with current editor Tracy Watkins.
It’s an electric, audacious and somewhat risky move – placing a hard-hitting, intelligent columnist with no journalistic training or editorial leadership experience into a massive newsroom management role.
Stuff Mastheads and Stuff Digital staff gathered on Thursday to hear, firstly, Stuff owner and publisher Sinead Boucher – she outlined the company’s new Neighbourly news initiative.
Hooton was then invited to speak to the audience, which included his own dedicated staff from The Post.
Some staff were naturally cautious of Hooton, said one source – they and he were still at the early stages of “feeling each other out”.
Sources say Hooton was effusive in his praise of journalists, in particular Henry Cooke, who has just been appointed The Post’s political editor; Amelia Wade, the newly appointed Auckland editor; and Andrea Vance.
“His speech went all over the place,” said one source. “He fawned over his new hires … you really need to see it. It’s quite something, but also quite disturbing. All I can tell you is that he left a lot of Stuff employees cold.”
Another source reported that Hooton had indicated he wants to take The Post and Sunday Star-Times “upmarket”, the source suggesting this in the context of a less “gotcha” approach or “tabloid” feel.
A third and fourth source believed many people were reasonably happy after Hooton’s appointment and hearing him speak.
A fifth source reported that Hooton had raised some big ideas at the meeting, but “seemed absent of appreciating there’s no resource”.
That point was backed up by one of the original tipsters: “We are at rock bottom resource-wise, and morale has never been lower, but Sinead presents this ‘we are amazing’ version …”
The source said they were gobsmacked and mortified by Hooton’s speech. “It was so bad.”
Former NZ Herald editor and Newsroom co-founder Tim Murphy wrote on X: “Matthew Hooton on a charm and superlative offensive when meeting Stuff’s newsroom this morning: best papers, best journos; invoking Edmund Burke, eschewing ‘gotcha’ journalism, praising Nicky Hager for some of the best investigative journalism ‘in the history of the world’.”
This promises to be a hell of a ride.
News tip? Feedback? Email in confidence – shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz
Watch: RNZ’s new office view – of Mike Hosking
Jesse Mulligan shares the view from RNZ’s new premises in central Auckland.
It’s not until you get into a new home that you can fully appreciate everything it has to offer.
And in the case of RNZ, staff certainly have an expansive view of central Auckland from their new offices and studios on the sixth and seventh floors of the TVNZ headquarters on Victoria St.
A view that comes with one extra special benefit.
Afternoons host Jesse Mulligan – whose show started broadcasting from the new studios this week – fronted a social media video, outlining some of the snazzy new features of the new premises.
They sure look great, as you’d expect with a $10 million relocation project – RNZ is moving from its longstanding Cook St building, a rabbit warren of a building that is no longer fit for purpose.
But there is one potential flaw in the sweeping views from the top of the building – as Mulligan hilariously highlighted in his video.
“This beautiful deck and outdoor area gives RNZ staff some of the most beautiful views in all of the city,” Mulligan said, with rival radio station owner NZME’s headquarters in the background.
There, in all its glory, was NZME’s massive digital billboard featuring Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking.
Mulligan shuffles sideways to block the billboard. Classic.
RNZ Saturday Morning shake-up – have your say
As Media Insider revealed on Wednesday, RNZ is poised to make big changes to its Saturday Morning show, including returning to a single and possibly entirely new host.
RNZ confirmed it had presented a proposal to staff that involved a reduction in overall roles, in part to help make the show “financially sustainable”.
Saturday Morning hosts Susie Ferguson and Mihi Forbes. Photo montage / RNZ
Sources say RNZ met with Saturday Morning staff, including presenters Susie Ferguson and Mihingarangi Forbes, on Tuesday. Sources say staff were left shocked.
It is understood the 8am-noon show has about six staff, a mix of full and part-timers, split between Auckland and Wellington.
The broadcaster is seeking feedback from staff, including presenters and producers, on the proposed changes, including fully relocating the show to Auckland.
Media Insider understands RNZ is also proposing to reduce the number of presenters from two to one.
It is unclear whether that might be Forbes (who is Auckland-based), Ferguson (who is Wellington-based), or someone new. Sources have indicated the latter scenario is possible.
Maxxed out
This week has felt like a throwback to the 2010s, with several big media celebrations in Auckland.
Last night, Special PR celebrated its fifth birthday at a swanky get-together on Ponsonby Rd.
On Tuesday, broadcast rights holder TVNZ hosted clients at Eden Park for the All Whites-Iran Football World Cup match.
But that was just a curtain-raiser for the biggest media party of the year – several hundred people strolled the red carpet that evening for the New Zealand launch of streaming service HBO Max at the Viaduct Events Centre.
Hundreds of guests gathered for the New Zealand launch party of HBO Max this week. Photo / HBO Max
Partygoers estimated the streaming platform, owned by Warner Bros Discovery, spent in the region of $300,000-$400,000 for the knees-up.
“Warner Bros Discovery spent more on this event than they did on TV3!” said one cheeky attendee.
I’m crossing into Ricardo’s territory here, but the Mumm flowed, alongside trays and trays of extravagant hors d’oeuvres.
Media guests included TVNZ chief executive Jodi O’Donnell, Stuff owner Sinead Boucher, South Pacific Pictures chief executive Kelly Martin, leaders Jason Winstanley, Katie Mills, Nadia Tolich, and Allison Whitney, numerous journos, PRs, writers, and dozens of advertising agency staff and influencers.
Other business leaders included Bankers Association chief executive Roger Beaumont and Simplicity founder and managing director Sam Stubbs.
Speeches were on point – three in total, including brief comments from House of the Dragon star Steve Toussaint.
“Never doubt New Zealand,” WBD Australia-New Zealand managing director Michael Brooks said, reminiscing about WBD’s origins in New Zealand, as backers of Sir Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and HBO’s famous support of Flight of the Conchords.
HBO Max – the home of shows such as House of the Dragon, Euphoria and The White Lotus – enters a crowded streaming market.
Brooks told Media Insider last week he was fully aware of the pressure on people’s wallets.
“You come into a market like New Zealand where there’s plenty of competition, and you realise that consumers are getting far more savvy with how they spend their money,” he says.
“We’re also going through a cost-of-living crisis at the moment, so people are looking for value. They’re managing their subscriptions – how they manage their subscriptions is very much front-of-mind.
“It’s up to us as a service to make sure that we’re putting the best product out there.”
Readership results
It’s been a massive week of big media news and changes with the HBO Max launch, Matthew Hooton’s announcement as the new editor of The Post and Sunday Star-Times, proposed changes to RNZ Saturday Morning, a new-look website for RNZ and a new-look app for the NZ Herald.
And yesterday came the quarterly Nielsen readership results for New Zealand’s newspapers and magazines.
The Herald enjoyed a healthy year-on-year increase of 12,000 readers to sit at a daily readership of 512,000. That was up 5000 on the previous quarter.
The Post was also up, climbing to 117,000 readers from 115,000 a year ago and 113,000 in the previous quarter.
The South Island’s two biggest newspapers, The Press and the Otago Daily Times, were each down 5000 readers year on year; the Waikato Times was down 2000 readers.
Magazines
New Zealand’s three big women’s titles, Woman’s Weekly (up 28,000), Woman’s Day (up 8000) and Australian Women’s Weekly (up 50,000), all enjoyed big increases in readership compared with the previous 12 months.
“These results are a testament to the enduring strength of our women’s brands and the extraordinary work of our editorial teams,” Are Media editorial director Sarah Henry said. “At a time when audiences have more choice than ever before, these trusted brands continue to command attention, loyalty and engagement at scale.”
Other big magazine winners were Rugby News (up 67,000), TV Guide (up 20,000), and NZ Geographic (up 12,000).
Are Media restructuring in Oz
While the readership results were good news for Are Media titles in New Zealand, its parent company in Australia is working through a period of restructuring and lay-offs.
The company says its New Zealand operation is not affected.
A Daily Mail headline this week proclaimed ”A nightmare on Park St” – referring to Are Media’s Sydney location. It raised the prospect of up to 30 redundancies.
Director of marketing Carly Bowra is among those who have left or are leaving the business.
“We can confirm that Are Media is in the process of restructuring parts of its operations, including marketing, to ensure they are fit for purpose,” said a spokesman.
“We expect this to result in a limited number of redundancies and are currently in consultation with impacted team members.”
Are Media is Australia’s biggest magazine publisher.
Its titles include Australian Women’s Weekly, Woman’s Day, Who, Marie Clare, New Idea, and Elle.
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.