Maori TV news not under threat - Minister

Pita Sharples. File photo / Stephen Parker

Minister of Maori Affairs Pita Sharples has dismissed claims that jobs are to be axed at Maori TV's Te Kaea and has given assurances that its news and current affairs programmes will continue.

Dr Sharples spoke to reporters after being briefed by Maori Television's board chair Georgina Te Heuheu today about changes at the broadcaster that The Herald understands will be announced to staff tomorrow.

Their meeting followed a media statement released by Mana Party leader Hone Harawira last night who said that 25 jobs at Maori TV's Te Kaea were likely to go as a result of the changes, with MTS buying in Te Karere from TVNZ as its news replacement.

But Dr Sharples dismissed this when he spoke with reporters at Parliament today.

"All I can is that's not true ... either that or he's heard it from someone else. It's election year

"I can confirm no changes really that are taking place because I haven't been fully in the loop -- and I must be in the loop before changes take place."

Asked for assurances about the future of the station's news and current affairs department, Dr Sharples said: "I can assure you they will keep going."

He was also unsure whether there had been any political interference from both the National and Maori parties for the station's Native Affairs show allegedly taking a sometimes hard line on their politicians.

"What I have asked for is that due process take place and that they consult their stakeholders which is the Minister, the other Minister (of broadcasting, Bill English) and Te Putahi Paoho."

Dr Sharples said "all Maori support" Maori Television and it was hard fought for. He said he was awaiting a report outlining the changes in full.

Maori Television last night also denied Mr Harawira's claims.

The Mana leader said other questions including whether Native Affairs would be turned into a "magazine-style show" and if the head of news and current affairs, Julian Wilcox, would see his role disestablished demanded "immediate answers".

Mr Harawira blamed political bias and interference from the National and Maori parties in downgrading Native Affairs and dumping Te Kaea.

He asked why news and current affairs staff were not consulted in the broadcaster's "structural realignment". Dr Sharples should stop the process dead in its tracks, he said.

Last week, CEO Paora Maxwell told staff the strategic alignment plan had been accepted by the MTS board and "change was imminent".

An MTS spokeswoman acknowledged last night that a review was under way and said an announcement to staff would likely be made in the next few days.