15 FEBRUARY
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE
315

opportunity to Television One news to complete an objective
and balanced report.

The Tribunal has come to the conclusion that, particularly
in light of the action taken to ensure that the subsequent
interview with the Minister would be published, there was no
deliberate attempt to depart from objectivity by Television
One news. However, the incident does suggest that the
considered editorial decision to delay the seeking of official
reaction to serious charges was not in accordance with recog-
nised professional standards. Such a practice can at worst be
misinterpreted as showing bias (as indeed was alleged on this
occasion). At best it can only lead to the deplorable practice
of presenting only one part of the story because that way it
makes better “news”, with more impact and perhaps even, it
might be said, more entertainment value than would be
inherent in a balanced item giving the complete picture.

On this occasion, it appears to the Tribunal that a piece of
investigative reporting was presented in an unnecessarily
incomplete form, so tending to bring this essential form of
journalism into undeserved disrepute not only with authority
but with thoughtful and objective viewers. Broadcast jour-
nalists have a duty to themselves not only to be fair but to
be seen to be fair in their investigations if the integrity of
their medium is not to be challenged or indeed whittled away
by such authority.

To this end, the Tribunal would commend the Corporation’s
editors to consider the implications of an editorial attitude
reflected before the Tribunal by the editor of Television One
news. He was asked if he saw any distinction between a news
item which records something which happened on the day
and must necessarily go to air on that particular day and a
news item that arises from research over a period of time
and which is finally put to air on a given day. Were they to
be distinguished in deciding whether to balance the item in
the same programme or later? From his point of view, Mr
Eckhoff saw no difference in the two categories.

In relation to the provisions of section 24 (1) (e) the
general issue of the treatment of overstayers is certainly a
controversial issue of public importance and the Corporation
acknowledges that reasonable efforts are to be made to present
significant points of view either in the same programmes or in
other programmes within the period of current interest. It did
not accept that this needed to occur in the present instance
as this was necessary under section 24 (1) (d).

A fresh set of allegations had been made. The conflict was
over factual matters rather than the putting of points of view
on a public issue. We find that it was not sufficient, in those
circumstances, to have set about presenting one side of the
case as news on one day and then to have endeavoured to
balance by presentation of a reply as news on the next day.

The failure to secure an interview with the Minister for
broadcast together with the allegations appeared to reflect not
bias but a lack of editorial co-ordination. The editorial choice
of presenting conflicting statements within a period or within
the same programme would more fairly have been exercised on
this occasion by taking the initiative to complete the
investigation before presenting part of its result.

The complaint is upheld on the grounds that the news item
should not have been broadcast without a reasonable
opportunity given for the Minister or his department to answer
the allegations in the same programme.

Co-opted Members—

In accordance with the Act, the Tribunal co-opted Mr G. C.
Ell and Mr G. R. Wear, two persons whose qualifications
and experience were likely, in the opinion of the Tribunal,
to be of assistance to the Tribunal in dealing with this
complaint. The decision however, in accordance with the
Act, is that of the permanent members.

Dated the 23rd day of November 1978.

For the Tribunal:

B. H. SLANE, Chairman.

Appointment of the Air Cadet League of New Zealand (Inc.)
to Control and Manage a Reserve

PURSUANT to the Reserves Act 1977, and to a delegation from
the Minister of Lands, the Assistant Director of National
Parks hereby appoints the Air Cadet League of New Zealand
(Inc.), to control and manage the reserve, described in the
Schedule hereto, subject to the provisions of the said Act, as
a reserve for local purpose (air training).

SCHEDULE

TARANAKI LAND DISTRICT—BOROUGH OF STRATFORD

1312 square metres, more or less, being Section 1061 (formerly
Part Sections 164, 165, 166, and 1014), Town of Stratford,
situated in Block I, Ngaere Survey District. All New Zealand
Gazette, 1978, p. 1461. S.O. Plan 11155.

Dated at Wellington this 31st day of January 1979.

J. B. HAYES,
Assistant Director of National Parks,
Department of Lands and Survey.

(L. and S. H.O. 6/1/1418; D.O. 8/169/2)

Change of Name of Westbrook Scenic Reserve

PURSUANT to the Reserves Act 1977, and to a delegation from
the Minister of Lands, the Assistant Director of National
Parks and Reserves of the Department of Lands and Survey
hereby declares that the reserve for scenic purposes, described
in the Schedule hereto, and known as the Westbrook Scenic
Reserve, shall hereafter be known as the Paynes Gully Scenic
Reserve.

SCHEDULE

WESTLAND LAND DISTRICT—GREY COUNTY—
PAYNES GULLY SCENIC RESERVE

35.8854 hectares, more or less, being Reserve 1756, situated
in Block XII, Waimca Survey District. All New Zealand
Gazette, 1939, p. 311. S.O. Plan 3440.

Dated at Wellington this 5th day of February 1979.

J. B. HAYES,
Assistant Director of National Parks and Reserves,
Department of Lands and Survey.

(L. and S. H.O. Res. 10/3/31; D.O. 13/22)

Vesting a Reserve in the Manukau City Council

PURSUANT to the Reserves Act 1977, and to a delegation from
the Minister of Lands, the Assistant Director of National
Parks of the Department of Lands and Survey hereby vests
the reserve, described in the Schedule hereto, in the Manukau
City Council in trust for local purpose (esplanade).

SCHEDULE

NORTH AUCKLAND LAND DISTRICT—MANUKAU CITY

5387 square metres, more or less, being Allotment 381, Paku-
ranga Parish, situated in Block III, Otahuhu Survey District.
S.O. Plan 48811.

Dated at Wellington this 19th day of January 1979.

J. B. HAYES,
Assistant Director of National Parks,
Department of Lands and Survey.

(L. and S. H.O. Res. 2/2/97; D.O. 8/1/565)

Reservation of Land

PURSUANT to the Land Act 1948, and to a delegation from
the Minister of Lands, the Assistant Director of Land
Administration of the Department of Lands and Survey
hereby sets apart the land, described in the Schedule hereto,
as a reserve for local purpose (air training).

SCHEDULE

TARANAKI LAND DISTRICT—BOROUGH OF STRATFORD

1312 square metres, more or less, being Section 1061 (formerly
Part Sections 164, 165, 166, and 1014), Town of Stratford,
situated in Block I, Ngaere Survey District. All New Zealand
Gazette, 1978, p. 1461. S.O. Plan 11155.

Dated at Wellington this 31st day of January 1979.

K. W. CAYLESS,
Assistant Director of Lands Administration,
Department of Lands and Survey.

(L. and S. H.O. 6/1/1418; D.O. 8/169/2)