Mana news editor Joe Trinder

The minister of Defence Gerry Brownlee has developed a friendship with reality TV queen and mediaworks executive Julie Christie. Mr Brownlee arranged for his friend Julie to be appointed to the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Board.

NZ Herald Dec 13th 2013

The parliamentary press gallery’s annual Christmas knees-up on Wednesday night was blessed with the surprise appearance of TV mogul Julie Christie, who arrived on the arm of good chum Gerry Brownlee.

“Old Gerry was looking after her. They obviously like each other. He was using his considerable mana about the place to impress Jules,” gushed one prominent insider.

Julie Christie has been upfront from day one she wanted Campbell live gone and is going to replace the 7pm slot for Campbell Live with a new reality TV show.

This is a conflict of interest from the Minister of Defence and a clear example of the National government stacking boards with its friends.