The BBC has moved swiftly to distance itself from the affairs of Auckland publishing company Jones Publishing, which produces the New Zealand edition of Top Gear Magazine.

Earlier this week, NBR revealed that NZ Top Gear Magazine published by Jones, had been taken in-house by the company Jones hired to design and print the publication.

That company is Image Centre of Grey Lynn, Auckland.

Jones Publishing is known to have been finding the magazine advertising market difficult and several public notices have appeared in the New Zealand Herald over the last few weeks giving notice of a special meeting of shareholders to decide the company’s future direction.

Shortly after that, it was revealed that Top gear’s printer and pre-press contractor had taken the management of the magazine over.

BBC World Enterprises has contacted NBR to say that the BBC owns the NZ Top Gear magazine title, not Jones. Jones has a licence to write local content, sell advertising, and produce and print the magazine to a BBC format.

The BBC spokeswoman said it was wrong to suggest that the magazine had been rescued by a creditor in that the BBC is the owner of the magazine.

NBR asked her what the BBC saw as the future of the publication and the Jones licence given the strains being felt by Jones.

She refused to comment further.