Last rites for journalism in NZ and Norway's Statoil heeds Mike Smith's adviceThis

This really is the death knell for any independant TV journalism in this country. After TV3 axed John Campbell last week Native Affairs on Maori TV was the last bastion.  Now too, its chief journalist has quit.

The fascists who are running this country no longer have anyone in the Fourth Estate to hold them to account

Mihingarangi Forbes quits Maori TV – the last real journalist turn the lights out

By Martyn Bradbury

The Daily Blog,

4 June, 2015

I am numb and shellshocked.

After losing Campbell Live, I wrote last week Native Affairs was the final bastion of real journalism left on NZ TV, Mihingarangi Forbes, the courageous and fearless host of Native Affairs has quit the show today...

The Herald has been told Forbes’ resignation came after the Native Affairs team were told they were not to run a story on Te Kohanga Reo National Trust, planned for Monday. 

Native Affairs was fearless in asking hard questions, especially towards sacred cows within Maoridom. That Mihi has been forced to quit because management are attempting to gag her shows investigative abilities is shocking and just another dire indictment of the state of journalism in this country.

With Campbell and Mihi gone, we have no more Jedi’s left in the media. The mainstream media Death Star win.

Every week another wheel falls off NZ journalism and Mihi was the last wheel.

Mihingarangi will be MCing Table Talk next Tuesday – book now before it gets booked out

Forbes quits Maori TV's Native Affairs

Mihingarangi Forbes

NBR,

4 June, 2015

Mihingarangi Forbes, the host of Maori Television’s current affairs show Native Affairs, has quit her job, reportedly due to management interference in the programme’s content.

Ms Forbes tweeted news of her resignation but has declined to comment on her reasons for leaving.

However, it’s understood her move was prompted by Native Affairs staff being forbidden to run a story on the management of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust on next Monday’s show.

It’s the third high profile departure from the broadcaster since Paora Maxwell took up the position of chief executive in May last year.

Head of news and production Julian Wilcox and general manager of production Carol Hirschfeld left Maori Television within months of the arrival of Mr Maxwell, whose appointment was reportedly unpopular among staff.

There were concerns about Mr Maxwell’s strong ties to company chairwoman and ex-National Cabinet minister Georgina te Heuheu, and suspicions he would attempt to exercise control over current affairs content critical of Maori establishment figures and institutions.

Ms Forbes’ departure will no doubt inspire speculation she will end up co-hosting the new TV3 current affairs show that’s replacing Campbell Live and/or that John Campbell may be in frame to front Native Affairs.

However, having just seen off one presenter not interested in presiding over lighter, more “entertaining” content, it seems unlikely MediaWorks’ management will leap at the opportunity to replace him with a journalist with a similar attitude to what constitutes news; likewise, Maori Television’s management and Mr Campbell.

Norway's biggest oil giant heeds Māori advice

The leader of a Far North delegation opposing oil exploration in Te Reinga Basin says some shareholders in Norway's biggest oil giant are backing its campaign to stop looking for oil in New Zealand waters.

Radio NZ,

5 June, 2015

The delegation to Norway. Photo: Taikaha delegation

Ngāpuhi man Mike Smith led the Taikaha group to Norway last month and was given permission to present a message at the Statoil annual general meeting on behalf of Far North iwi to halt their operations.

He said as a result Statoil is taking their message seriously which is reflected in the stance of some of the company's shareholders.

"That was supported by $6 million worth of shares voted in favour of that on behalf of the shareholders," Mr Smith said.

"That $6 million worth of shares. It doesn't represent a huge amount of the company's shareholders, but it is significant. And what that tells us is that there's some fairly important players amongst the shareholders that have some concerns about what the company is doing.

"So, it increases their risk profile and we weren't expecting Statoil to have a 'rush of blood to the head' and immediately withdraw [from their exploration plans], but I guess we were there to send a message to shareholders that exploring for oil is not the way to go, and that there are increased risks to their investments."

Statoil chair engages directly with Far North delegation

Mr Smith said one thing that really stood out for him during his presentation at the Statoil AGM in Stavanger, Norway, was that the company's chair had a one-on-one conversation with the Taikaha delegation.

"The chairman of the board (who is also the Chief Executive) in his departure from the usual protocol of their carefully worded scripts, took the time to address us directly," Mr Smith said.

"He said he spoke to his group for about three or four minutes directly at the meeting and after a lunchtime adjournment wanted to engage with us in a conversation."

Mr Smith said it appeared to him that Statoil is taking Māori concerns seriously.

He said there was also the added support of the indigenous Saami people and their parliament which have been pressuring Statoil to reconsider their plans.

Mr Smith said there was plenty of time to ship out of New Zealand waters and he said he knew that Statoil is retrenching around the world because of the current financial climate regarding oil.