TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman has announced her resignation, marking the departure of one of Aotearoa’s most prominent Māori journalists and political correspondents.
Sherman confirmed she will leave the state broadcaster after several years covering Parliament, major political events and national issues at the highest level of New Zealand journalism.
Her departure comes during a period of significant upheaval across the New Zealand media sector, with broadcasters and newsrooms facing financial pressure, restructuring and growing political scrutiny.
Sherman became TVNZ’s political editor in 2021 and quickly established herself as one of the country’s leading political interviewers and commentators. She was also widely recognised for bringing strong Māori representation and perspective into mainstream political journalism.
Throughout her career, Sherman covered some of the most defining political moments in recent New Zealand history, including the COVID-19 pandemic response, multiple election campaigns, Treaty debates and major shifts in Crown-Māori relations.
Her exit has prompted widespread reaction across political and media circles, with many acknowledging the significance of Māori voices within national newsrooms and the growing importance of diverse representation in political reporting.
The resignation also raises questions about the future direction of political journalism in Aotearoa as media organisations continue adapting to changing audience habits, digital competition and ongoing funding pressures.
Sherman’s departure follows broader debates around public broadcasting, media independence and newsroom sustainability — particularly after recent Government moves to abolish the Broadcasting Standards Authority and ongoing concerns over the future of public interest journalism.
For Māori media advocates, Sherman’s presence in mainstream political journalism represented more than simply reporting politics — it reflected increasing Māori visibility and influence within institutions historically dominated by Pākehā perspectives.
TVNZ has not yet announced who will replace Sherman in the influential political editor role.
Her resignation is expected to fuel further discussion about the future of journalism in Aotearoa and the importance of maintaining strong Māori voices in national political coverage.
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