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Maori Television celebrates its 10th birthday today, after unwrapping the chief executive who will steer it through some of the next decade.
Paora Maxwell was introduced to staff yesterday, with the board indicating he was the best suited of the four on the shortlist and the 70 candidates who were originally identified.
His appointment continues to be controversial, with Labour’s broadcasting spokesperson Kris Faafoi calling it National Party cronyism at its worst.
Mr Faafoi, a former television journalist, says Mr Maxwell’s departure from TVNZ was shrouded in controversy, and he owes his new job to string-pulling of Maori Television’s chair, former National MP Georgina te Heuheu.
Mr Maxwell says his job is to be a broadcaster, not a politician.
"I can’t direct politicians and in fact the very people who have criticism today might very well be in positions of power next year. My commitment is to work with anyone, no matter who the boss is. We have considerable moneys that come from public funding and I recognise my job is to work with all politicians. I don’t care what their colour is. I don’t even care what they have said of me in the past," he says.
Mr Maxwell says he also considers the petition against his pending appointment which circulated in Maori Television last year is in the past.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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