RNZ said it is 'actively exploring' options for the availability of parking spaces, according to reports
Radio New Zealand is "actively exploring" options for one of its journalists who called out the availability of parking spaces for disabled employees in the organisation's shared building with TVNZ, according to reports.
RNZ journalist Sally Wenley, who uses a wheelchair, accused TVNZ on Facebook of not allowing her to use the disabled car park that's outside their shared building for more than two hours.
According to Wenley, the situation would force her to come out of the building, take her wheelchair with her, and go to Sky City to park.
"I don't complain much. But this has upset me. Unfortunately, parking for work is a big deal for me," the journalist said on a Facebook post quoted by the New Zealand Herald.
Wenley also told her followers that she used to have a park under the building near a lift back when she was still an employee of TVNZ. However, she said she is "not allowed there."
"RNZ says their parks underneath aren't suitable for me. And TVNZ apparently won't allocate a wider one," she said.
RNZ 'actively exploring' options
RNZ moved to TVNZ's building in June, occupying the sixth and seventh floors of the broadcaster's headquarters.
The company in a statement told the NZ Herald they are already working with Wenley on a solution, noting that the car park being used by the journalist is owned and operated by TVNZ.
"Given there are limits on the car parks we have access to within the shared TVNZ facility, we are actively exploring all available options with building management," the spokesperson told the NZ Herald.
"We recognise that accessible parking is vital for staff with mobility and physical access requirements and want to ensure we have an arrangement that meets their needs while also recognising the limited visitor parking available at the building."
Meanwhile, TVNZ said its Auckland building has a large basement car park for staff use, with allocated spaces for their and RNZ's employees.
It added that its disability parking space outside the building was for "short-term" use, limited only to two hours to ensure access for all guests.
"As building owner, TVNZ can assist with additional accessible parking in the basement if required, without affecting disability access for guests visiting the building," the spokeswoman told the Herald.
