The TBC board, which earlier had its chairman sacked, fired Ms Fifita under the direction of the Public Enterprise Minister Poasi Tei.
RNZI reports the moves came after the prime minister complained that the state broadcaster had not been supporting the government enough and was unfair in its reporting.
But a lawyer for Ms Fifita said the government had ignored the right of renewal clause in her contract.
Clive Edwards said he expects the Chief Justice to make a decision on whether he would hear the petition by the end of the week.
