Producer quits as new Native Affairs hires, “refreshed format” announced

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Maori TV has announced the “refreshed format” of current affairs show Native Affairs will feature a new on-screen line up, following the resignations of senior journalists.

Ward Kamo and Billie-Jo Hohepa Ropiha will co-host, with Mātai Smith, Maiki Sherman, Rewa Harriman and Wena Harawira joining the reporting team.

Head of news and current affairs Maramena Roderick is quoted in the appointment release as saying, “Native Affairs has proven it’s not afraid to ask the hard questions and Ward’s broad understanding of issues will help cut through the spin.

“Audiences are changing,” she adds. “We need to respond to this with a team who can face the challenge head on.”

However, the broadcaster’s press release makes no mention of the reason for the new hires: four recent high profile departures, including that of host Mihingarangi Forbes three weeks ago.

Since then reporters Semiramis Holland and Jodi Ihaka have also handed in their notice.

And just today Ms Forbes tweeted that producer Annabelle Lee – “the team’s backbone” – has also decided to leave.

Native Affairs has recently been the subject of controversy, following allegations that Maori Television executives – as well as members of parliament – have interfered in editorial content critical of Maori establishment figures and institutions.

Maori Party co-leader and Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has come under fire from Labour for allegedly illegally interfering in Native Affairs’ coverage.

Labour leader Andrew Little and shadow broadcasting minister Clare Curren claim emails between Mr Flavell’s press secretary and Maori TV staff prove he attempted to influence the format of a proposed Native Affairs debate on Whanau Ora and dissuade Maori TV from inviting NZ First to appear on the show.

“After organising the participants for the debate, and beginning the filming of segments, on the afternoon of May 20, the producers of Native Affairs subsequently cancelled the debate on Whanau Ora due to a ‘change in programming strategy,” Ms Curran says.

“Coincidentally, that same morning, the Minister met with the CEO of Maori Television, Paora Maxwell.”

Mr Flavell has denied any wrongdoing.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand earlier this month, commentator and Maui Street blogger Morgan Godfery claimed the changes at Native Affairs could be connected to the controversial appointment of Paora Maxwell as Maori Television chief executive in May last year.

Noting staff opposition to Mr Maxwell’s candidacy, which included a petition, Mr Godfery said, "There was the belief that Mr Maxwell was being appointed by the Maori establishment, to protect the Maori establishment and to sort of oversee the slow strangling of Native Affairs."

Asked whether Native Affairs had been subject to executive meddling, Ms Roderick responded via a spokeswoman that “there has been no political interference.”