Judicial review

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.

The issue in the judicial review proceeding was for the National Court to review the decision of Chief Magistrate Nerrie Eliakim, who issued a warrant of arrest against the Prime Minister on June 12, 2014.

The review was filed by Geoffrey Vaki in his capacity as the then Police Commissioner on June 14, 2014.

On July 28, 2014, leave was granted by the National Court to Vaki for a judicial review to be conducted against the decision of the Chief Magistrate on June 12, 2014.