September 18, 2014
MTV restructure challenged
The demotion of senior broadcasters at Maori Television has provided a flash point for the last Te Wero candidates debate.
New chief executive Paora Maxwell has proposed a structural realignment that gives him more control of the station through direct reports.
In the process he’s scrapping the positions held by news head Julian Wilcox and production general manager Carol Hirshfeld, who were given a lot of responsibility under the devolved model favoured by his predecessor Jim Mather.
In the Waiariki candidates’ debate, Mana’s Annette Sykes questioned the agenda being set by Mr Maxwell and his board, which includes National cabinet minister Georgina Te Heuheu and Maori Party deputy president Donna Gardiner.
She says they tried to push through major change without consulting Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples or those most affected.
" I will fight for the workers in Maori television of the calibre of Julian Wilcox and Carol Hirschfeld. How dare they how dare they be informed in the way that they have and the disrespectful way that they have by a newly appointed CEO who needs them more than I think the Maori world needs him " she says.
Maori Party candidate Te Ururoa Flavell denied there was a political agenda at board level, saying Donna Gardiner was a board member before she became his party’s deputy president.
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