“We look forward to sharing more details about our election coverage shortly.”
Sherman has been approached for comment.
Whakaata Māori is government-funded but established under its own legislation, the Māori Television Service Act 2003. It launched as Māori Television in 2004, with the purpose of making a significant contribution to the protection and revitalisation of te reo Māori and tikanga Māori.
News tip? Feedback? Please email shayne.currie@nzme.co.nz
In May, Sherman was named New Zealand’s political journalist of the year at the journalism industry’s annual Media Awards – exactly two weeks after her abrupt departure from the state broadcaster.
“Well, well, well,” Sherman said, as she accepted the prize to loud applause at the New Zealand Media Awards.
“I don’t think anyone had Maiki Sherman resigns as political editor, and Maiki Sherman wins best political journalist of the year in the same fortnight on the election card when it comes to the bingo rounds, but there you go.
“Look, I make light of it, but I will say that it has been quite a difficult time for me, personally.
“A part of me was nervous to come tonight, but an even bigger part of me was determined … to stare this current situation in the face and be courageous in doing so, [and] with humility as well.”
Sherman reiterated at the time that the previous weeks had been difficult, “but this award simply reaffirms to me everything that I’ve known in my heart – that I am a darn good journalist”.
She said her journalism was “robust across the political spectrum”.
“I won this award for my coverage of Te Pāti Māori last year. I am courageous and I am fearless when it comes to holding politicians to account, but that’s across the board, and I make no apologies for that.”
Sherman’s TVNZ departure
Sherman departed TVNZ earlier in May, saying her role was no longer tenable.
It followed two high-profile incidents, including one in Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office a year ago, in which she allegedly directed a homophobic slur at Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr.
Sherman said earlier that the comment was made in response to “deeply personal and inappropriate remarks”.
“This does not excuse my actions. I took responsibility for that a year ago, it is merely to help others understand why I reacted in the way that I did.”
Burr has not said what those alleged comments were, other than to deny they were a particular slur.
Sherman was also suspended from Parliament for five days by Speaker Gerry Brownlee after trying to interview National Party whip Stuart Smith in an off-limits area.
“The level of scrutiny on me this past week has been unprecedented, and this has placed enormous pressure on me,” Sherman wrote on social media in May.
“My role has become untenable, and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today.”
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.