Maori TV attracts leading journalists

Some of the country's leading Maori news-hounds have not let speculation over the future of Maori Television stop them from switching to the fledgling station.

TV One Maori issues reporter Gideon Porter, former Te Karere producer Rereata Mahika, and Radio Waatea news producer Rau Kapa have been appointed to bolster the channel's news and current affairs lineup.

Bringing a combined 50 years of journalism experience, the appointments are a coup for the station, which has struggled to attract senior Maori journalists to its ranks since its launch in March last year.

The appointments also reverse a string of high-profile resignations and employment stoushes that have plagued the channel, including the resignation of former chief executive Derek Fox, who replaced disgraced Canadian fraudster John Davy.

The new arrivals are also expected to bolster confidence in the channel, clouded recently by National's Maori Affairs spokesman, Gerry Brownlee, who questioned the value in maintaining the service, and said it would be reviewed if National forms the next Government.

TV One news head Bill Ralston acknowledged that the appointments bucked a trend for mainstream networks to poach the cream of Maori journalistic talent from iwi stations.

He doubted that TV One's Maori viewers would suffer because of the staff losses.

Maori Television head of news and current affairs Te Anga Nathan said the appointments would further strengthen the channel's coverage.

He said it also sent a message to the market that Maori Television was committed to providing the best Maori news service in the country.