“It’s a shame I can't say goodbye to the listeners.” Lynch has been on leave for several weeks, prompting speculation about his future. Media personality Kerre Woodham has been filling in while Lynch has been away. KIRK HARGREAVES/Stuff The contractual difficulties between NZME, which owns the ZB network and the NZ Herald, and Lynch are understood to be regarding Lynch’s activities outside his talkback show, which he has hosted for nine years. Lynch declined to comment on any contract negotiations. He has also filled in for another ZB star, Mike Hosking. Lynch runs his own news website and produces videos for commercial clients through a separate operation. His Facebook page has 161,000 followers.