Maori TV dismisses claims of political interference

Minister for Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell. Photo / Ben Fraser

Maori Television has dismissed accusations that it dumped a panel show on Whanau Ora as a result of political interference, saying it was an editorial decision based on ratings and the likely audience on a public holiday.

Maori Development Minister Te Ururoa Flavell has been accused by Labour of political interference in Native Affairs because those due to appear on the show, including Mr Flavell, were told of the decision to dump the show two hours after Mr Flavell met with Maori TV chief executive Paora Maxwell.

Mr Flavell said the show was not discussed in that meeting and he had not asked Maori TV not to run it. The panel on Whanau Ora was due to run on Queen's Birthday.

In a statement, Maori Television's head of news and current affairs Maramena Roderick said the decision to change the show was "an editorial decision" by herself and Native Affairs' producers. "The simple fact of the matter is that panel formats do not appeal to viewers, particularly on public holidays."

She said the replacement - a review of the 'best of' segments from previous shows - had given Native Affairs its highest rating in eight years.

Maori Television's Head of Corporate Affairs Rick Osborne said there was no connection between the decision and the meeting between Mr Flavell and Mr Maxwell, which was their regular quarterly meeting.

"For the record the 20 May meeting was set up on 19 February, any suggestion there was a link between the replacement of the panel with a best of show and the meeting does not reflect reality."

Mr Flavell maintained he had not interfered in the show. His office had not known Maori Television was considering cancelling it until they were told after the meeting.

"I can give you an assurance that at no time during that meeting with the chief executive of Maori Television were any aspects of programming discussed at all. I don't and did not and will not discuss issues with respect to programming because that is not within the grounds of me as minister."