Television New Zealand has admitted that in hindsight it should not have run a promo featuring Finance Minister Bill English talking about the economy.
In the promotional advertisement for TVNZ7's November series on the economy, Mr English spoke about the country emerging from the recession and its improving economic productivity.
The use of parts of Mr English's speeches fuelled accusations that the promo looked like a party political broadcast.
TVNZ head of corporate affairs Peter Parussini told a parliamentary select committee on Tuesday that in hindsight the the broadcaster accepts it should not have made that particular advertisement.
Chief executive Rick Ellis says that TVNZ produces between 60 and 70 promos a week, and mistakes happen.
He says promos are the marketing department's responsibility and are not part of the news and current affairs editorial process. The broadcaster learns from occasions where it slips in an editorial sense, he says.
Mr Ellis was also questioned about his $100,000 bonus. The committee was told the bonus reflected a good financial 2007-08 year.
