Broadcasting Standards Authority upholds complaint over Mike Hosking's Maori Party remarks

TVNZ will have to apologise for "inaccurate and misleading" comments made by Mike Hosking about the Māori Party on Seven Sharp.

In August, during the Seven Sharp's pre-election coverage, Hosking told his co-host Toni Street: "You can't vote for the Māori Party because you're not enrolled in the Māori electorate".

He clarified the next day, saying: "The fact that anyone can vote for [the Māori Party] as a list party I automatically assumed we all knew given we have been doing this for 20 years… and it went without saying. So hopefully that clears all of that up."

However, a complaint was made against him to the Broadcasting Standards Authority claiming Hosking's comments were "inaccurate and misleading" and his attempt at clarifying was "flippant and too general to correct the inaccurate information for viewers".

The BSA upheld the complaint, saying Hosking's comments were presented at a critical time in the election period and "had the potential to significantly affect voters' understanding of the Māori roll and of New Zealand's electoral system".

It added: "In this case, the flippant apology provided did not reflect a genuine appreciation for the important role of media during this time."

The BSA has ruled there should be a public acknowledgement of the breach of the accuracy standard, which is to be broadcast before the 2017 summer holiday break.

However, Hosking will not be able to make that statement as he and co-host Toni Street hosted their final episode of Seven Sharp on Friday.

After four years hosting the show together, the pair announced their departure last week as Street wanted more time to spend with family and Hosking following her lead saying it's "always good to leave on your own terms".

Hosking will continue to host Newstalk ZB's breakfast show, while Street will continue on The Hits breakfast radio with Sarah Gandy and Sam Wallace.