Why Fox lost focus behind the camera

By PHIL TAYLOR

An inspirational broadcaster who couldn't cut it as chief executive of the Maori Television Service.

That appears to be the report card on Derek Fox's time at the top of the troubled yet-to-air network after he quit last month in the middle of a harassment inquiry.

None of MTS' major milestones was achieved while he was chief executive, raising questions about his suitability for the role.

MTS has yet to build studios, hire its workforce of about 140, buy its equipment or secure its transmission platform.

"I find it difficult to understand what progress Derek might have made," said one insider.

"He would not have been my choice for chief executive. He was a broadcaster. Politicians, other people in the industry and some public servants have made the age-old mistake of seeing someone who was quite good at being a broadcaster and assuming he might be a good manager as well."

"Derek was never a manager, he was not cut out for it. He was going to trip up somewhere along the line. That it happened this way was terribly unfortunate."

Mr Fox was chairman of MTS when it appointed Canadian fraudster John Davy as its first chief executive.

Tidying up after that debacle fell to businessmen Wayne Walden, who stepped into the breach left when Davy was arrested.

Mr Walden brought with him specialists in finance and human resources with whom he has a long working relationship. Some people close to the channel credit them with being the driving force.

"Wayne Walden was certainly cracking the whip in terms of setting the work agenda," says one, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. Maori broadcasting is a small community with a long memory.

Mr Walden continued to call the shots he and Mr Fox swapped roles in in February.

By the time Mr Fox left last month, MTS had found premises in Newmarket, organised a $13 million bank loan to pay for its studios and started recruiting staff.

Its premises has been gutted, and construction of the studios is beginning. Jobs are continuing to be advertised, although MTS is unable to give applicants a start date.

This depends on matters such as a transmission platform and acquiring and installing equipment.

MTS' response to the controversy of Mr Fox's resignation has been to batten down the hatches. Mr Walden has instructed staff and the board that only he will comment publicly and he has made himself unavailable.

Weekend Herald requests for an interview were declined and we were told he wouldn't comment until the transmission platform issue was resolved.

Mr Walden did agree to answer some written questions. He said the board was "very happy" with progress.

"We are hoping (to be) on air some time this year, however, this is dependent upon the timely arrival of equipment, training of staff, and the establishment of a suitable frequency for transmission."

"Planning is well underway. Construction of the studios has begun, the senior management team is in place, recruitment continues, and more than 1100 hours of programming has been completed with a fourth commissioning round about to begin."

Mr Walden said the board was discussing options for replacing Mr Fox, but it is understood it will be taking its time. The board planned to give the role a lot of thought and was unlikely to start looking soon.

Independent programme-makers are concerned about MTS' ability to screen quality local documentaries and dramas.

It has capped the amount it will pay at $40,000 an hour, regarded as too low for quality programmes of those types.

One producer said many of the most experienced Maori television makers would be too expensive for MTS.

"The bulk of the industry are experienced people who want to make quality programmes. We don't want to make ghetto television."

New Zealand On Air paid up to $130,000 for documentaries.

"To make anything for a third of that is just ridiculous," said the producer. "You just can't survive on the money offered."

At least one production company has said it can't afford to make programmes for MTS and the producer said others had quietly pursued work elsewhere.

Producers may be forced to concentrate on the cheapest genres, such as children's and youth programmes.

Drama, which can cost up to $600,000 an hour, would be beyond MTS' means.

Nga Aho Whakaari, which represents Maori working in television and film, has put the concerns of programme-makers to MTS.

But chairman Paora Maxwell, who has a production company which is making programmes for Maori television, said MTS had to stretch its money as far as possible.

It could afford only "lower-end documentaries" and would have to look in Television New Zealand archives for cheap dramas.

Mr Maxwell was neither disillusioned nor surprised by the MTS controversies.

"It's been a bit of a ride but we always expected it to be."

Derek Fox's departure was unfortunate but he was not indispensable, Maxwell said. "I think we have all accepted he's gone and it's time to move on."

Mr Fox has been the face of Maori television, but has also been in the thick of its controversies.

He was chairman when Davy was appointed chief executive and his appointment as chief executive was criticised by National MP Murray McCully who said Mr Fox wasn't scrutinised as thoroughly as other applicants.

His departure is also open to conjecture. Mr Fox has denied sexually harassing anyone but claims he is bound from elaborating by a confidentiality clause, something MTS appears to contest.

His departure means MTS will not complete its investigation into the complaint by Joanna Paul, a former television presenter in charge of MTS programming.

It's an unfortunate way for someone described by the Prime Minister as "the pre-eminent Maori broadcaster of his generation" to depart.

Said a colleague, who didn't want his name published: "He could be an ornery character at times, but on a good day he was absolutely inspirational."

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