Iain Stables (original) (raw)

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New Zealand broadcaster

Iain Phillip Stables is a New Zealand TV and Radio personality. In the past Stables worked on various radio stations across New Zealand beginning his radio career on Radio Windy in Wellington at the age of 14.[1] As well as radio, Stables has appeared in several television roles including being the 'bad boy' judge on NZ Idol Series 3 in 2006.[2][3]

He has had regular TV guest appearances on the former Good Morning Show and Shock Treatment. As of 2013, Stables owns the Ski FM radio network which is based across the central North Island of New Zealand.[4][5]

During his radio career Stables worked for a total of 16 radio stations in New Zealand and was fired from four. In the past Stables worked on two of New Zealand's largest radio networks ZM between 2003 and 2008 and before this on opposition station The Edge FM between 1995 and 2002.

On 24 February 2008, Stables announced to the Sunday News that he was no longer working for ZM, and has been taken off the air.[6]After leaving ZM, Stables appeared on Jono's New Show on C4,[7] and was appointed a role at Sky TV NZ where he worked as a presentation director. In 2008 Stables appeared on the TVNZ show Shock Treatment where he was sent to Jamaica to partake in military training. However, he left the show after only one day - the first Kiwi celebrity to quit the show.[8] Stables also appeared on the TVNZ show The Sitting, which screens on TVNZ 6, on this show Stables spoke about himself while Painter Marty Welch painted Stables portrait.[9]

In November 2009 Stables was approached to head independent CHR station Hit Radio X105, however Hit Radio X105 went off the air on 14 September 2010.[10] Stables was due to begin working on Radio Hauraki on 11 October 2010. However, this was delayed after Stables became involved in a physical confrontation with a check-in employee of the airline Jetstar after a verbal altercation.[11][12][13] Stables was stood down from his position following the fight with the Jetstar employee. A month later Stables contract with Radio Hauraki was terminated.[14][15][16]

In 2013 Stables became the owner of the radio network Ski FM which is based in the central region of the North Island of New Zealand.[4]

In 2021 Stables was criticised for posting job advertisements for his Taupo-Ruapehu central north island radio network Ski FM that joked about sexual harassment in the workplace, including having 'sexual harassment Sundays.'[4] Further, the advertisements also joked about not being an accessible workplace, and had racist overtures. After complaints, the job advertisements were edited and Ski FM issued an apology.[17]

Stables' has a reputation for on-air stunts, many of which have landed him in trouble.[18] Some of these include:

• In October, 2001, Stables courted controversy after holding a "Kiss My Arse for a Backstage Pass" contest. Stables dropped his pants and got a woman to kiss his bottom in front of 10,000 people at Hamilton's Summer Jam Concert.[19]
• In February, 2002 Stables called Beach FM in Kapiti stating he was a Police Officer and had a traffic report to read out. When the announcer allowed Stables to read out his report on air, Stables told listeners if they are stuck in the traffic jam they can help pass the time by 'playing with themselves'.[20]
• In September, 2003, the Broadcasting Complaints Authority upheld a complaint against Stables for inciting "bus rage" while on air. The complaint came after Stables called for passengers to dance, rip up seats, or leave chewing gum on buses if they were angry with a bus company's service.[21]
• In February 2005, after Paul Holmes planted a new Pohutukawa Tree on One Tree Hill in Auckland which was later removed by the Auckland City Council, Stables decided to erect a Swingball Set on One Tree Hill as a replacement for the original tree that was cut down in 2000, the Swingball pole was mounted in 90 kg of concrete. Stables felt a Swingball Set was the fitting replacement for the tree that once stood in this location as the Swingball is a true Kiwi icon and could be enjoyed by generations to come. Auckland City Council removed the Swingball Set. In protest, ZM ran Swingball competitions all around New Zealand with mayors in various regions supporting the event[22][23]
• In July 2006, while judging NZ Idol, Stables told an applicant that she "was no good at singing but would make an excellent 'Shag'". The applicant complained about Stables remarks, and as a result, the organisers allowed the applicant through to the next round, but she was eliminated in the following round where Stables had been stood down from judging.[24]
• In January 2010, Stables assisted X105 workmate Warwick Slow into gatecrashing a party held for Prince William at Premier House in Wellington. The party was to show the Prince a true New Zealand barbecue and when Stables realised that "Sizzlers" (a brand of New Zealand sausages) weren't on the menu Stables sent workmate Slow to Premier House armed with a pack of Sizzlers and a loaf of Bread. Slow managed to gain entry by jumping the fence and was on the ground for eight minutes before being removed from the premises by Police. Stables conversed with Slow throughout the time via cellphone until the phone was confiscated by Police.[25]

In September 2000, Stables was sued for Defamation of Character by TV presenter April Ieremia for stating that he was married to her, on his profile page, on The Edge website. His comments included not only saying that he was married to April but also that he 'Did it with her on the TV2 bus'. Other comments on Stables profile page stated that Stables liked working for The Edge most because he could steal CDs to support his drug problem, and stated that when he grows up he would like to be the 'TV2 Bus Driver'.[26]

In September 2000, Stables was convicted and fined $1100 after impersonating a detective from Interpol. He called the Los Angeles police and claimed his co-workers Jason Reeves, Jay-Jay Feeney and Clarke Gayford were trying to enter the United States with kiwi eggs hidden in their "rear cavities". The trio were subsequently held for two hours at LA Airport, questioned and searched. Stables appeared in court wearing a Superman outfit, saying: "You can't put a Superhero in prison".[27]

Following the 2010 termination at Radio Hauraki after the Jetstar incident, it was revealed that Stables had a clause in his contract stating it would be terminated if Stables became involved in any court action.[28] The Jetstar employee was found not guilty of assaulting Stables, who was judged to be aggressive and abusive, and allegedly used a racist slur.[29] During this court case, Stables had sought name suppression because of the effect it might have on his mental health, notably his Bipolar disorder, but this was application was rejected by the court.[30] The Radio Network (who owns Radio Hauraki) had come to an arrangement and no legal action ensued.[_citation needed_]

In 2012, Stables was acquitted in the Wellington District Court of assaulting his ex-partner's parents, was found guilty of assaulting his ex-partner's brother, and not tried on a charge of threatening to kill.[31][32]

In 2022 Stables was fined after falling asleep at the wheel, and crashing into a mailbox.[33]

Stables was the winner in the category Best Non-Breakfast Host or Hosts (Metropolitan) at the New Zealand Radio Awards in 2007.[34] Stables created a stir with his offensive acceptance speech with remarks aimed at his former employer Canwest MediaWorks, Stables' speech prompted the Radio Broadcasters Association to adopt a Code of Conduct for all attending the awards including guidelines for acceptance speeches.[35][36][37]

In 2003 ZM and Stables released their own album called Stables Label Volume 3.[38] It is unknown if there ever was a Volume 1 or 2. The Album features parodies of popular songs created by Stables and other ZM announcers.

1. ^ From 1998 appeared to branded as New Zealand's Shock Jock through the hundreds of newspaper, magazines and television articles and reactionary media."Jackass: The Radio Show". New Zealand Listener. 15 August 2003. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
2. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
3. ^ Wednesday. "NZ IDOL - SERIES 3 - THE PRESS KIT | Scoop News". www.scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
4. ^ a b c "Radio station criticised for job ad joking about 'sexual harassment Sundays'". Stuff. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
5. ^ "Radio host fined for early morning crash near Blenheim". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
6. ^ "Shock jock Iain Stables leaves ZM". Fairfax Media. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2008.
7. ^ "Stables on C4". C4 but video taken from YouTube. 5 April 2008. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
8. ^ "Shock Treatment". TVNZ. 2008. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 7 December 2008.
9. ^ "TVNZ PORTRAIT AUCTION OPENS WALLETS FOR STARSHIP FOUNDATION | MEDIA RELEASES | tvnz.co.nz". tvnz.co.nz. Archived from the original on 12 May 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
10. ^ "X105 song 'Porirua Gurls' goes viral and worldwide | Scoop News". 29 June 2018. Archived from the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
11. ^ "TODAYonline - Comprehensive local and international news and analysis". Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
12. ^ "Radio star Iain Stables 'punched' in Jetstar row". news.com.au. 12 October 2010.
13. ^ "Shock jock Iain Stables in flight fight". stuff.co.nz. 12 October 2010. Retrieved 13 October 2010.
14. ^ "Iain Stables to sue TRN - New Zealand News". NZ Herald. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
15. ^ "Shock jock Stables set to lose Hauraki job". NZ Herald. 16 July 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2024.
16. ^ "Shock jock Iain Stables in flight fight". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
17. ^ "Apology from radio station that advertised 'sexual harassment Sundays'". Stuff. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
18. ^ "Why radio hoax calls are here to stay". NZ Herald. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
19. ^ Casey, Alex (1 April 2021). "The toxic on-air history of commercial radio in New Zealand". The Spinoff. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
20. ^ "DJ faces inquiry after golf hoax call". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
21. ^ "DJ reckless, authority agrees". NZ Herald. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
22. ^ "One Tree Hill being regularly patrolled". New Zealand Herald. 10 February 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
23. ^ "Iain Stables Says "Balls" To Dick Hubbard". scoop.co.nz. 10 February 2005. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
24. ^ Voyer, Marc. "Idol judges from around the world". AskMen. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
25. ^ "Gatecrashing Prince William's barbecue". stuff.co.nz. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2010.
26. ^ "Webarchive of Stable profile page on The Edge Website in 2001". The Edge FM. 18 April 2001. Archived from the original on 18 April 2001. Retrieved 25 February 2008.
27. ^ "Eating Media Lunch - Radio Pranks". TVNZ but video from YouTube. 2004. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 29 February 2008.
28. ^ Meng-Yee, Carolyne (14 November 2010). "Shock jock Stables set to lose Hauraki job". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 16 November 2010.
29. ^ "Fight between Jetstar worker Patrick Joseph Ulberg and passenger Iain Stables caught on camera". news.com.au. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2011.
30. ^ "Shock jock Stables spoke about illness". Stuff. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
31. ^ "Iain Stables: 'I have nothing left'". NZ Herald. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
32. ^ "Iain Stables acquitted of assaulting ex's parents". NZ Herald. 30 August 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
33. ^ Eder, Jennifer (28 June 2022). "Radio host fined for early morning crash near Blenheim". Stuff. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
34. ^ "New Zealand Radio Awards 2007". Radio Station World. 28 April 2007. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 28 April 2007.
35. ^ "NZ Radio Awards Code of Conduct". Radio Broadcasters Association New Zealand. 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 29 March 2008.
36. ^ Ihaka, James; Perry, Keith (5 May 2007). "Stables 'on leave' after speech at radio awards". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
37. ^ "What the Kiwi gossip mags say". stuff.co.nz. 19 September 2007. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
38. ^ Stables label. Volume 3. Volume 3., Wellington, N.Z.: Stables Label Production, 2003, OCLC 156751156, retrieved 25 July 2021