Te Pāti Māori’s Rawiri Waititi claims ‘intent’ behind timing of Maiki Sherman slur story

Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi has voiced suspicions regarding the timing of a story that revealed former TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman's use of a homophobic slur. Waititi suggests that the release of this story may have been strategically timed, implying a deliberate intent behind its publication. Sherman's departure from TVNZ followed a tumultuous 11-day period, which also included a five-day suspension from Parliament. This sequence of events has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Sherman's exit and the media's role in reporting on such matters. From Te Pāti Māori's perspective, the focus is on the potential motivations behind the story's release and its impact on the individuals involved. The party is keen to understand the full context and any underlying intentions that may have influenced the reporting and subsequent consequences.