TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman has announced her departure from the broadcaster after a turbulent 11 days.
The move comes after Sherman was issued a five-day suspension from Parliament for breaching parliamentary press gallery rules.
She also made headlines early last week for an incident in May 2025 in which she allegedly directed a homophobic slur at journalist Lloyd Burr.
In a post on X on Friday afternoon, Sherman said she acknowledged the events of the past week and announced her departure from TVNZ.
“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.”
Sherman also took the time to clarify the details of the recent reporting around her actions.
“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.”
She went on to say that she apologised to the journalist and the minister the next morning. Sherman said she also informed her manager.
“Those apologies were accepted,” she said.
Sherman said from her perspective, and for context, the offensive comment was made “in response to deeply personal and inappropriate remarks” made to her 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 I did,” she wrote.
Burr previously denied making a slur.
Stuff said last week: “Stuff Group stands by, and has complete faith in, Lloyd Burr’s account of the events and his conduct in Minister Willis’ office last May.
“We will continue to respect his wishes not to comment further on what occurred that night.”
On Friday, Stuff said it stood by its statement last week.
On Saturday, it was revealed that Sherman was no longer assigned to the Prime Minister’s short visit to Singapore earlier this week. TVNZ would not say whether that was her choice, or a call made by the broadcaster.
The Herald understands TVNZ and Sherman have been in discussions since Monday.
A source said Sherman was seen with top lawyer and former TVNZ political editor and board member Linda Clark in central Wellington earlier this week.
Sherman allegedly directed a homophobic slur at Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr during a function in Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office in May last year. Willis said she heard “offensive language” and shut the event down.
Newstalk ZB, through Mike Hosking’s producer, Sam Carran, was working on a story about the incident in the latter half of 2025.
TVNZ sent Newstalk ZB a threatening legal letter and the story ultimately did not get across the line. It is understood that other media were also sniffing around the story at one stage.
Political commentator Ani O’Brien broke the story on her Substack page last week.
Stuff then sent legal correspondence to O’Brien, taking issue with the way she framed Burr’s alleged involvement in the incident. He has denied making any slur to Sherman.
In a separate incident, the National Party was angry with the way Sherman acted at Parliament two weeks ago, as she tried to interview whip Stuart Smith in a corridor late at night.
Last week, Speaker Gerry Brownlee announced a five-day suspension for Sherman following National’s complaint. Her parliamentary accreditation was suspended from last Friday until today.
The Herald also revealed on Saturday that Sherman was no longer part of a small New Zealand media contingent covering Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trip to Singapore in the past few days.
TVNZ journalist and soon-to-be Business Breakfast host Mei Heron covered the trip for the state broadcaster.
Sherman was appointed TVNZ political editor in March 2024. She replaced Jessica Mutch McKay, who had resigned for a corporate role at ANZ.
“This is a huge milestone for me and one I’ve worked hard for,” she said in a statement at the time.
“I’m proud to be the first wahine Māori appointed as the political editor of a mainstream broadcast newsroom. That is something to be celebrated.”
Sherman said at the time that her background meant she would be able to bring a unique perspective to the role.
She promised an “unwavering commitment to holding political decision-makers to account”.
“People want strong, fair, and impartial journalism. That’s something I’m committed to providing across the political divide.”
TVNZ’s then executive editor, Phil O’Sullivan, said at the time that Sherman had been impressive in her role as deputy political editor for TVNZ during a turbulent time in New Zealand politics, impacted by Covid, events of national significance and highly charged general elections.
“Her calm leadership and strong coverage of important political issues, particularly demonstrated during her moderation of our Kaupapa Māori Debate last year, made her a natural pick for the role.”
Sherman joined the press gallery in 2012, serving as a political reporter for both Whakaata Māori and Newshub before rejoining 1News.
Sherman began her broadcasting career with the state broadcaster’s Te Karere show 18 years ago.
Alongside her work as a political journalist, Sherman is also a former chair of the parliamentary press gallery.
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