Key Takeaways
- Maiki Sherman resigned from TVNZ, stating her role had become “untenable” amid intense scrutiny.
- TVNZ confirmed her departure and praised her as the first wahine Māori to lead 1News’ political team.
- Sherman acknowledged using a homophobic slur against Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr during a pre‑Budget event, apologising the next day.
- She was later suspended from Parliament for five days after pursuing an interview with National’s chief whip Stuart Smith, a move complained about by Simeon Brown.
- TVNZ’s news chief Nadia Tolich expressed respect for Sherman’s decision, thanked staff for their support, and wished her well in future endeavours.
Announcement of Resignation
Maiki Sherman announced via social media on Friday that her last day at TVNZ would be 8 May. She described the decision as the culmination of a week in which she faced “unprecedented” scrutiny, rendering her position untenable. The post was brief but direct, signalling the end of her tenure as a prominent political journalist at the broadcaster. Sherman thanked the TVNZ team for their support and wished them continued success in their work.
TVNZ’s Official Statement
In response, TVNZ issued a statement confirming Sherman’s resignation and highlighting her historic role as the first wahine Māori to lead the 1News political team. The broadcaster praised her contributions, noting that her work—from presenting national polls to covering general elections and breaking news from the Beehive—had kept audiences across Aotearoa informed and engaged. TVNZ also pointed out that Sherman’s nomination for Political Journalist of the Year in this year’s media awards underscored the calibre of her reporting.
Sherman’s Own Words
Sherman herself elaborated on the resignation, stating that the level of scrutiny she had endured over the past week had become overwhelming. She said, “My role has become untenable and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today.” While expressing regret over the situation, she thanked her colleagues and wished the team well, emphasizing that she remained grateful for the opportunities she had received during her time at the broadcaster.
Context of the Homophobic Slur Incident
The resignation came amid renewed attention to an incident from May of the previous year, during which Sherman used a homophobic slur toward Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr while at pre‑Budget drinks in Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office. In her social‑media post, Sherman acknowledged the comment was offensive and said there was “no excuse” for the language she employed. She clarified that she had apologised to Burr and Willis the following morning and had informed her manager about the incident.
Accountability and Prior Apology
Sherman added that, although her remark was made in response to “deeply personal and inappropriate remarks” directed at her that evening, this context did not excuse her actions. She noted that she had taken responsibility for the slur a year earlier, had apologised privately, and had reported the matter to her supervisor at the time. By revisiting the episode, she aimed to provide transparency while affirming her accountability.
Parliamentary Suspension for Pursuing Interview
Separately, Sherman faced disciplinary action from Parliament after being suspended for five days for breaching parliamentary rules. The suspension stemmed from her attempt to secure an interview with National’s chief whip Stuart Smith. According to a complaint lodged by National’s campaign chair Simeon Brown, Sherman and her team had followed Smith into a corridor, aggressively banged on his door for several minutes, refused to accept his declination to comment, and pressed him on how his refusal would be portrayed in the next day’s coverage if he remained silent.
Details of the Complaint
Brown’s complaint, which he publicised on social media, portrayed the TVNZ crew’s behaviour as overly assertive and contrary to parliamentary etiquette. He alleged that the journalists persisted despite Smith’s clear indication that he did not wish to speak, thereby creating an intimidating atmosphere. Brown argued that such conduct undermined the respect owed to members of Parliament and warranted formal sanction.
TVNZ’s Response and Speaker Involvement
TVNZ disputed the specifics of Brown’s account, maintaining that the appropriate forum for such complaints was Parliament’s Speaker rather than public social‑media platforms. The broadcaster asserted that its journalists had acted within professional guidelines while pursuing a story. Nevertheless, Brown forwarded his grievance to Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who upheld the complaint and resulted in Sherman’s five‑day parliamentary suspension.
Internal Reaction from TVNZ Leadership
Nadia Tolich, TVNZ’s chief news and content officer, sent a message to staff acknowledging that the preceding weeks had been challenging for Sherman. Tolich expressed respect for Sherman’s decision to resign, thanked the team for supporting one another and “keeping the mahi front of mind,” and wished Sherman well in whatever path she chose next. The note underscored the broadcaster’s commitment to maintaining a supportive newsroom environment amid controversy.
Implications and Future Outlook
Sherman’s departure marks a notable moment for TVNZ, highlighting both the pressures faced by journalists in high‑visibility political reporting and the broader conversation about conduct, accountability, and cultural representation within New Zealand media. As the first wahine Māori to lead 1News’ political team, her tenure had been a symbol of progress; her exit may prompt reflection on how the organisation balances rigorous journalism with workplace wellbeing. For Sherman, the resignation opens a period of reassessment, with potential future endeavours possibly spanning advocacy, media consultancy, or continued storytelling outside the traditional newsroom setting.