AUCKLAND: (Radio New Zealand / Pacific Media Watch): TV3 has handed a copy of the so-called 'tea tape' to police investigating the recording of a cafe conversation between Prime Minister John Key and John Banks, reports Radio New Zealand.
Police are investigating the recording of the election conversation between the National Party leader and ACT's Epsom candidate at a cafe meeting on November 11.
It was recorded by freelance cameraman Bradley Ambrose without them knowing.
Ambrose gave the recording to the Herald on Sunday and TV3 also has a copy, but neither have published the details.
Police visited TV3's office in Auckland on Thursday to execute a search warrant.
A spokesperson for the television company said they complied with the warrant and handed over all copies of what was filmed and recorded on the day of the cafe meeting. She said that included the recorded conversation.
Search warrants have also been executed at the Herald on Sunday and Television New Zealand and both gave material to police.
The police have a search warrant for information from Radio New Zealand, but have not executed that warrant.
'3 or 4 items'
Herald on Sunday editor Bryce Johns told Morning Report that police visited the company's office on Wednesday and picked up a small box containing three to four items.
He would not say whether the original tape was among the items taken nor whether the newspaper had made a copy of the recording.
"We don't like ever giving things away when there [are] contacts and people who've given us information are at risk. We didn't feel that was the case here," he said.
The High Court on Wednesday refused to rule on whether the discussion between the Key and Banks was private or not.
New Zealand's general election is on Saturday.
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