While Māori Television has announced the new line-up for its current affairs programme, Native Affairs, one of its senior producers has handed in her resignation.
Annabelle Lee Photo: SUPPLIED / Maori Television
The channel said today that the show would be co-presented by Billie-Jo Hohepa Ropiha and Ward Kamo.
It comes after the resignation last month of its current presenter, Mihingarangi Forbes, who fronted the show for two years.
Today, Ms Forbes posted a tweet saying that Annabelle Lee had resigned as producer.
Annabelle Lee has resigned as producer @n8tvaffairs her contribution 2 @N8TVAFFAIRSTV is immense the team's backbone #nativeaffairs #kaitoa
— Mihingarangi Forbes (@Mihi_Forbes) June 24, 2015
Two senior reporters, Jodi Ihaka and Semi Ramas Holland, have also tendered their resignations in the last two weeks.
Award-winning sports journalist Rewa Harriman, pioneer broadcaster Wena Harawira, political journalist Maiki Sherman and multiple award-winning presenter Mātai Smith are joining the Native Affairs team.
Māori Television Head of News and Current Affairs Maramena Roderick said Native Affairs was poised to trail blaze a new era in New Zealand journalism.
"Audiences are changing. We need to respond to this with a team who can face the challenge head on," Ms Roderick said.
She said Ms Hohepa Ropiha had proven her mettle in recent investigations and was more than ready for a leading role.
Ms Roderick said that Mr Kamo cut his teeth on the long format interview show, but his experience in senior advisory roles in the government as well as the private sector would provide a unique perspective on the issues.
