Maori TV denies plan to shift

Chief executive of Maori Television, Paora Maxwell. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Maori Television has rejected claims it will move its offices and studios from Auckland to Rotorua.

It was reported in the New Zealand Herald over the weekend that Te Arawa kaumatua Sir Toby Curtis had confirmed there had been talks between Maori TV and the Rotorua District Council and other iwi on a plan for studios in Rotorua.

Sir Toby said relocation to Rotorua was ideal because it was geographically central for many of the big iwi, such as Tainui in Waikato, Tuwharetoa in Taupo and Ngati Awa in the eastern Bay of Plenty.

However, Maori TV chief executive Paora Maxwell responded there had "been no decision at this time to move anywhere".

"I can assure people that there has been absolutely no determination whatsoever from the board or senior management to move to Rotorua," he said.

However, the broadcaster was in the middle of a "scoping exercise" because its lease in Auckland would come up for review in 2017, Mr Maxwell said.

He admitted the broadcaster had spoken to Rotorua District Council - but said the TV station had also talked to Hamilton City Council and Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board.

"So we are looking at a range of leasing options, including staying where we currently are," Mr Maxwell said.

Peeni Henare, Labour MP for Tamaki Makaurau, said a move to Rotorua would be "bizarre".

"Moving Maori TV to Rotorua makes little commercial sense. Tamaki Makaurau is the heart of Maori news, represents all iwi and is an important base for journalists who need to travel easily and quickly to other parts of the country," he said.

"If rental costs are the problem, then the headquarters could move from Newmarket to Manukau or Henderson."

Mr Henare said moving to Rotorua would mean Auckland-based journalists and Maori TV workers would lose their jobs, and this would have "flow-on effects" for the media industry and production companies in Auckland.

Mr Maxwell said Maori Television's board of directors would have the final say on any move.