Maori TV general manager sacked over dispute

By JON STOKES

A senior manager at Maori television who was marched from the station's Newmarket offices last month has been sacked.

The Herald understand's the station's Maori language general manager, Joseph Te Rito, was dismissed following a meeting with senior management yesterday.

The meeting followed a dispute last month that led to Mr Te Rito being escorted by security staff from the station's offices after he reacted angrily to news that acting chief executive Ani Waaka was staying on as the station's head.

It is understood Mr Te Rito, a former head of Maori Studies at the Eastern Institute of Technology, was furious at not being told he had missed out on the chief executive's job.

A source at the channel said Mr Te Rito was considering legal action.

A Maori Television statement confirmed Mr Te Rito was no longer with the organisation. It went on to say that "no further comment will be made ... on the matter".

Mr Te Rito could not be contacted for comment yesterday.


Herald Feature: Maori broadcasting

Maori TV website