Axe hovers over Maori TV roles

Could Julian Wilcox be returning from management to his old show, Native Affairs? Photo / Steven McNicholl

Maori Television is expected to disestablish the roles of general managers of news and production held by its highest profile executives, Julian Wilcox and Carol Hirschfeld.

A change was to have been announced this week but it is understood Maori TV delayed it because the government warned it off risking any controversy before the election.

It may be that the two will be offered alternative positions. Wilcox is highly regarded as a presenter and may be offered a position alongside Mihingarangi Forbes fronting Native Affairs.

But a return to in front of the camera would be a step down for Wilcox, who was sent to an expensive management course and who applied for the job of Maori TV chief executive that eventually went to Paora Maxwell.

Wilcox also held talks with the Labour Party about standing in the Tamaki Makaurau electorate.

It is expected that the two jobs will be done by programming general manager Haunui Royal, and his role in turn is expected to be directly controlled by Maxwell.

Some staff still fear the change will bring a crackdown on the news and current affairs operation, which has made powerful enemies in the Maori establishment.

The other issue facing Maori TV is the need to get out of its expensive Newmarket headquarters. As well as the cost of leasing the studios, it has been noted that Newmarket may be one of the least Maori parts of Auckland. Some believe Waitakere or South Auckland would be better locations. There has even been talk of a move to Rotorua, though many believe this would be fraught with tribal political problems.