TV production companies devastated by Davy saga

3.00pm

The scandal surrounding the sacking of Maori Television Service chief executive John Davy is a major setback for a Rotorua television production house.

Maui Productions producer/director Arana Taumata said he was devastated Mr Davy had supplied false information about his background.

Mr Taumata said he was also disappointed in the Maori Television Service board and its recruitment agency, Millennium People, for not picking up on the false information.

"I am really pretty devastated about the news. I was one of the few Maori programme makers who came out in support of him because I felt it was important we had someone with skills in financial management at the helm.

"There is still that dampener that hangs over from the Aotearoa Television days. That's why we have to be squeaky clean with this."

At the beginning of this year the Maori Television Service called for tenders for programmes which were to be commissioned in February, he said.

The launch date for the channel was originally June and now Mr Taumata had heard it would not be until Christmas.

"It's just a big setback for us and a delay we could do without."

He knew of independent Maori programme makers which could "go to the wall" because of the delay.

"We are in a slightly better position because we have got other work that can prop us up such as (television programmes) Te Karere and Marae. But that is just keeping us afloat."

Hula Haka Productions director Nevak Ilolahia said Mr Davy's lack of credibility was a concern.

"But in the context of establishing Maori television it's a mistake that's been made and will hopefully be learnt from," Ms Ilolahia said.

"Yes, the board is culpable but it seems that it was acting in good faith on bad advice."

The "feeding frenzy" in the media surrounding Mr Davy was detracting from the more important issue and that was the development of Maori broadcasting, she said.

"The Government, its agencies and the board need to get on with the task of implementing the channel," she said.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)

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