Broadcaster Tony Veitch, who pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner Kristin Dunne-Powell, is heading back to full-time work for the first time since July 2008.
Mr Veitch, who has been working fill-in slots over the past few months, will be back on radio full-time next year, The Radio Network (TRN) said today.
He will return in the role of a sports-news bulletin presenter and journalist for Newstalk ZB and Radio Sport from early January.
Mr Veitch was suspended from his role as a TVNZ sports news reader, and his separate employment as a breakfast host on Radio Sport, after the assault allegations arose in July 2008.
After an April 2009 plea bargain, pleading guilty to reckless disregard causing injury, Mr Veitch was sentenced to nine months' supervision, 300 hours community service and fined $10,000.
The police file described a series of assaults on Ms Dunne-Powell between 2002 and 2006. Ms Dunne-Powell, who had her spine fractured in two places, received a $100,000 payment from Mr Veitch before their imbroglio went public and came to police attention.
More drama followed in June 2009, when the broadcaster split from his wife of 12 months, Zoe Halford. Around this time, Mr Veitch was reported missing on several occasions, raising fears for his personal safety.
"I'm incredibly grateful to The Radio Network for giving me this opportunity to get back to doing what I love, and the only career I've known,” Tony Veitch said.
TRN said that the engagement of Tony Veitch as a contractor would give him the chance to prove himself again.
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