Tāmaki Makaurau MP Peeni Henare is concerned to see there may be “necks on the chopping block” at Māori Television.
In a Facebook post Peeni Henare says “Ma tatou - This was the catch cry of Maori Television and we all fell in love with it. Now it is disappointing to hear that there are now necks on the chopping block.”
Henare says he had been informed by whānau at Māori Television that there had been a proposed restructure that would lead to job losses and redundancies.
He says “Most were happy it was staying in Tāmaki Makaurau and kaimahi were relieved as they were promised there wouldn't be job losses.”
A Māori Television spokesperson says a process is underway to realign production and programming departments.
“We have proposed a realignment of our production and programming departments. We are consulting with affected staff first and we expect the process to be complete by end of November.”
Māori Television’s Head of Content Mike Rehu says his department has built an audience-centric content-strategy supporting the television service’s strategic objectives.
Mike Rehu says “We are proposing a structure that can more effectively implement the content strategy, effectively drive audience growth and better streamline decision making processes.”
Last week, an announcement was made that after 12 years Māori Television will be moving from Newmarket to its new South Auckland East Tāmaki home in June.