Voyager founder and chief executive Seeby Woodhouse has apologised for retweeting a post he says was “unacceptable” and which led to the dumping of his company as sponsor of the New Zealand Media Awards.<\/p>\n
Voyager’s sponsorship was dropped today, just a fortnight out from the showcase awards.<\/p>\n
The News Publishers Association said it became aware of social media content Woodhouse had re-posted. A spokesperson said the NPA considered it was “inconsistent with the values and standards” it upholds for New Zealand news publishing.<\/p>\n
It did not say what the post was.<\/p>\n
“While Mr Woodhouse’s profile states that re-posting does not necessarily signify his agreement with the content, and the re-post has since been taken down, NPA considers the re-post irreconcilable with its values and standards.”<\/p>\n
The awards ceremony on May 22 will be held without a sponsor.<\/p>\n
Woodhouse said this afternoon he was apologising unreservedly. <\/p>\n
“That was a mistake, and I take responsibility for it.”<\/p>\n
He said he was on social media late at night, and retweeted a post without reading it fully. <\/p>\n
Woodhouse said he removed it immediately when the matter was raised with him.<\/p>\n
“Even though my profile bio says, ‘retweets do not necessarily indicate agreement’, that is not a shield. I was wrong to accidentally retweet it. There are no caveats to that.<\/p>\n
“If you’ve followed my work for a while, you’ll know I have strong views and I don’t shy away from debate. But none of that makes up for what happened here.<\/p>\n
“Accountability is simple: I shared it, it was wrong, and I’m sorry.”<\/p>\n
Voyager also said it had already decided not to continue as a naming rights sponsor beyond this year. But it was “disappointed” the relationship had ended that way.<\/p>\n
In a statement, it said, “what Seeby unintentionally shared does not reflect Voyager’s position as an organisation.”<\/p>\n
It wished the News Publishers Association “every success in the future”.<\/p>\n
Woodhouse formed the Voyager broadband company after selling internet provider Orcon, which he had started at university, for $25 million. <\/p>\n
He is a prolific photographer; many of his photos from Coachella and Burning Man are uploaded to his Instagram profile.<\/p>\n