Maori TV quiet on head of programming's absence

By PHIL TAYLOR



Maori Television and Joanna Paul, its head of programming, are refusing to explain her extended absence from the job.

Ms Paul has not been working from the station's Newmarket headquarters since it went to air on March 28.

She also refused to comment or clarify what relationship she now had with the broadcaster.

The company told staff last month that Ms Paul was on sick leave.

An MTS spokeswoman said she was on leave, but neither the spokeswoman nor chief executive, Ani Waaka, would give the reason or say how long for, citing privacy reasons.

Her departure came after Ms Paul and other executives had a "heated" meeting with programme-makers.

Ms Paul, a former TV3 presenter and independent programme-maker, was a Maori Television board member and has worked for the company for two years, buying programmes.

Paora Maxwell, a programme-maker for Maori Television and chairman of Nga Aho Whakaari, which represents Maori working in film and television, said the good quality of the programmes on the channel was "a direct result of the efforts of people like Joanna Paul".


Herald Feature: Maori broadcasting

Maori TV website