TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman resigns

journalismMay 8, 202631276

Maiki Sherman resigned as TVNZ political editor after a recent suspension from the Parliamentary press gallery. Parliament suspended Sherman following a complaint about a racial slur, and she also faced separate complaints about her reporting. TVNZ confirmed it has parted ways with Sherman. The departure puts a spotlight on how complaints and press access are handled and on the representation of wāhine Māori journalists ahead of the general election.

Hayley

@writagal.bsky.social

Blatant, unchallenged political interference in journalism and the removal of the BSA have created conditions for successful propaganda ahead of the election. A bad sign for democracy that they’re silencing wāhine Māori journalists the same way they silence wāhine Māori and non-binary politicians.

6090d ago

kyle

@kyledchurch.bsky.social

oh they really can just go after anyone - in the most insanely dirty politics constructed ways - and leadership will roll the fuck over anyone still out there who thinks our media structures and wider institutions aren't part of the problem? www.rnz.co.nz/news/media-t...

4990d ago

chairmanknow7

Jason Walls gets the job, just in time for the election season

Leon Salter 4

This is really a pre planned multi pronged attack on our media and therefore our democracy

Danielle, Petty Hate Machine

@dimsie.bsky.social

What's weird is I always had the impression Maiki Sherman was pretty conservative in her questioning

4390d ago

Nicola Gaston15

The chaos or the evidence that they could take a scalp was possibly more important than the target

Kevin Veale 😷 (Toitū Te Tiriti)12

I think they went looking for dirt they could use for traction and who the dirt was associated with was a secondary concern. Although the fact she's 'political' rather than white and male can't have hurt.

Lauren M5

I think the fact that Walls is ready and waiting probably has something to do with it. Sherman was disappointing in the position because she WAS so milquetoast but obviously nothing less than full grovel is going to satisfy the wannabe-fash in charge, especially when they have a toadie ready

Kārikiōrangi4

it’s all to do with getting rid of TVNZ and RNZ

Foxes4

She was, it was like she learned at the knee of Mutch-McKay, if she is replaced I don't think it will be to their advantage, I suspect that Benedict (Cumber)Collins is the senior reporter

Matt Whitehead2

yeah if anything she could've gone harder on the govt and still been fair

Fomison's Clown2

It's not about the person. It's about the company she works for.

Sophie these days2

Not conservative enough 🤷‍♀️ And demanding accountability from a National cabinet minister is a bit risky right now 😒

Grant Jacobs BioinfoTools/NotJustDNA 🔬🧬🖥️✍️📚🇳🇿

@notjustdna.bsky.social

#NZpol From Maiki Sherman ⬇️ – Remember this happened a year ago; it’s other’s deliberate action to raise it again and play it, and you’ve got to say the timing suits some politicians, political parties, and their supporters.

Maiki Sherman @MaikiSherman

A statement from me…

“I want to acknowledge the events of this past week and clarify reporting.

Almost a year ago I made an offensive comment to a fellow journalist during an after-hours function in the Minister of Finance’s office. There is no excuse for the language I used.

The next morning, I apologised for my part in this to both the journalist and to the Minister, and those apologies were accepted. I also informed my manager.

From my own perspective and for context, my comment was made in response to deeply personal and inappropriate remarks made to me that evening.

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.

The level of scrutiny on me this past week has been unprecedented, and this has placed enormous pressure on me. My role has become untenable and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today. I wish the team well.”

3490d ago

Grant Jacobs BioinfoTools/NotJustDNA 🔬🧬🖥️✍️📚🇳🇿5

Even Sean Plunket replies to say it “isn’t a sacking offense”. (His 's', not mine!) #NZpol

Mountain Tui

@mountaintui.bsky.social

Stuff's own report does not include this part by Maiki Sherman: would confirm the rumours about her getting a racial slur from Lloyd Boyd but the fact Stuff excluded this doesn't speak well to them #nzpol #kiwi

From my perspective and for context my comment was made in response to deeply personal & inappropriate remarks made to me that evening

2890d ago

Biker "Cash Bazooka" Chiwi13

Stuff's editorial standards are only marginally better than the Herald's. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Unsurprising they would bend over backwards to avoid looking like they failed to address any questions of impropriety by their staff.

Ronnie

@ronnie-anz.bsky.social

God damn it. I hope we see Meiki Sherman back. Dirty politics, human cost. The timing of the hit job on her is highly suspect. #nzpol #kikorangi www.rnz.co.nz/news/media-t...

1390d ago

nzjanette

@nzjanette.bsky.social

3) Immediately after Luxon’s abandonment of his TVNZ media slots, a campaign against tvnz journalist Maiki Sherman ramped up. She was handed a five day suspension from parliament for pursuing National whip Stuart Smith and asking him questions. www.rnz.co.nz/news/media-t...

1090d ago

Emz of Big Hairy News

@iamprettyawesome.bsky.social

#BHN at 9pm 📌Kahurangi Carter's Meme Bill 📌Maiki Sherman Resigns from TVNZ 📌OECD Report Urges NZ for more reform

690d ago

Nicola Gaston

@nicgaston.bsky.social

You know who is most pissed tonight? Rod Drury. If he had realised that Maiki Sherman and Lloyd Burr were going to be taking all the heat on social media, he might have hung on to his NZer of the year award over the weekend, and managed to keep it. I imagine the PM will sleep well too

890d ago

Caniwi

@caniwi.bsky.social

If Lloyd Burr is not willing to repeat whatever vile comment he made to Maiki Sherman, the least he could do is publicly admit her comment was provoked by him and they were both equally responsible. If not he will become a pariah among press gallery journalists.

589d ago

Brett

@brettcd.bsky.social

3News taking the time to one side the Maiki Sherman story then moving swiftly along. #NZPol

390d ago

Rachael Ka’ai-Mahuta

@rachaelkm.bsky.social

The slur was and is inexcusable. How we know about it and everything that has occurred since has me thinking about a list of names: Metiria Turei, Kiri Allen, Tory Whanau, Maiki Sherman

590d ago

drrawiritaonui.bsky.social

@drrawiritaonui.bsky.social

Maiki Sherman resigns for using a homophobic slur in response to racist remarks from Lloyd Burr. What about Burr? And what about National turning on Sherman because she asked questions. www.rnz.co.nz/news/media-t...

390d ago

tuffrings.bsky.social

@tuffrings.bsky.social

Further escalation underway, against both TVNZ and RNZ: 'Seymour also accused TVNZ of being "politically motivated" and suggested political editor Maiki Sherman could not remain in her role' www.rnz.co.nz/news/politic...

291d ago

Daily Indignation

@dailyindignation.bsky.social

This is the first official confirmation (i.e. outside of Reddit theories) I've seen that Lloyd Burr said something to Sherman first. He denies saying anything.

Maiki Sherman @MaikiSherman:

A statement from me... From my own perspective and for context, my comment was made in response to deeply personal and inappropriate remarks made to me that evening.

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.

The level of scrutiny on me this past week has been unprecedented, and this has placed enormous pressure on me. My role has become untenable and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today. I wish the team well.

3:36 PM • May 8, 2026

290d ago

3 sources

rnz.co.nzTVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman resigns nzherald.co.nzTVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman parts ways with broadcaster stuff.co.nzTVNZ’s political editor Maiki Sherman resigns

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