Broadcaster says it regrets treatment of presenter

Maori Television, ordered to pay one of its presenters $16,000 by the Employment Relations Authority, says it accepts and regrets that staff member Ngarimu Daniels was affected by workplace-related incidents.

The authority ruled that Ms Daniels, who was banned from taking part in protests and whose gay partner was called a "dyke", had suffered shame, humiliation, distress and anxiety.

Station chief executive Jim Mather said yesterday that Maori Television was "committed to making improvements where required".

The broadcaster had at all times been committed to resolving the issues.

Mr Mather said news chief Tawini Rangihau, named in the ruling as the person who made the "dyke" reference and who expressed concern about the protest action, was not homophobic or a bully - the authority accepted she was neither.

She was motivated by a desire to see Maori Television succeed.

Mr Mather also pointed to parts of the ruling that referred to positive things Maori Television had done, such as writing a new code of conduct that contained clear guidelines on expected standards of behaviour.

He said the ruling stated that in conducting private activities, presenters and reporters might need to exercise judgment more carefully than other employees due to the public aspect of their roles.