An RNZ digital journalist who allegedly inserted pro-Russian sentiment into news stories claims they have edited reports in that way for five years and nobody queried it.
The state broadcaster is launching a review after it said it found out on Friday that stories were being altered to give them a pro-Russian slant.
That was despite concerns being raised about the journalist's work more than a year ago. They have now been placed on leave.
So far, 250 stories have been reviewed and 16 have had to be corrected.
RNZ management has conceded the broadcaster's process for publishing stories from other media companies has not been strong enough, and there will be an external review of editorial processes.
"I subbed several stories that way over the past number of years," the journalist told Checkpoint.
"In fact since I started RNZ and... I have done that for five years and nobody has tapped me on the shoulder and told me that I was doing anything wrong."
RNZ editor-in-chief Paul Thompson described the altered copy as "pro-Kremlin garbage".
"We're feeling shocked and stunned and really, really challenged by this," he told Checkpoint.
Thompson said there was an employment process was underway.
"It's really disappointing. I would point out that it is confined to one area... they're still serious, I'm not diminishing it at all."
He said the audit had not yet found examples of inappropriate edits outside of Ukraine-Russia stories.
Thompson said senior staff from both the digital and wider news team were involved in the audit. They were the right people for the job as they knew how the system worked, he said.
"I am confident in that process," Thompson said. The audit of stories on the RNZ website continues. At least 250 have been checked so far.
Thompson said he had not made any decisions yet on changing the editorial structure of RNZ as a result.
"I think that will be something I will be reflecting on and I'll be looking to do anything which can make a positive difference because we need to get to the bottom of this and we need to improve things."
Thompson said he had not offered his resignation over the matter, nor had anyone else in management.
RNZ
