A high-profile radio host has resigned from a MediaWorks radio show, effective immediately, staff were told on Monday.
The host, who had not been on air since mid-March, was one of two men stood down this month ahead of an independent investigation into the news and radio company's culture, sources within the company say.
A MediaWorks website has been scrubbed of images and mentions of the on-air personality.
MediaWorks confirmed the host tendered their resignation which was accepted effective immediately. Attempts to contact the radio host went unanswered.
In early March, an anonymous Instagram account began publishing posts referencing sexual harassment and bullying by radio workers, including one employee believed to work at The Rock radio station.
One industry worker told Stuff the employee had made sexualised comments to her on numerous occasions and she remained “terrified” of potential repercussions from speaking out. The woman was one of those whose comments were posted by the Instagram account two weeks ago.
“no stone will be left unturned” in the investigation.
In her experience The Rock station was “a tornado of toxic masculinity”, she said.
Another source with knowledge of the culture at The Rock claimed the employee's behaviour was well-known at MediaWorks. At the time, a company spokesperson did not respond to specific questions about who knew what and when.
The host who resigned on Monday did not work at The Rock.
After questions from Stuff, on March 14 MediaWorks announced it would hire an independent investigator to conduct “a thorough review of historic events and our current workplace culture and practices”
MediaWorks chief executive Cam Wallace later named Maria Dew QC to carry out the investigation, which will examine issues related to the company's culture going back to 2018, Stuff understands.
Earlier on Monday, Wallace gave an interview to Duncan Greive on The Spinoff’s podcast The Fold, saying the “historic issues” would be dealt with thoroughly.
“No stone will be left unturned, and we will be making sure we have a really complimentary and modern culture going forward,” Wallace said.
Where to get help for sexual violence
- Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00, click link for local helplines.
- Safe to talk: a 24/7 confidential helpline 0800 842 846, text 4334, webchat safetotalk.nz or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.
- Women’s Refuge 0800 733 843 (females only)
- Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only)
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
