Māori Television has advised the resignation of Board Director Dr Leonie Pihama. 

Board Chairman Wayne Walden said Dr Pihama had resigned to pursue interests in television production. Dr Pihama was appointed to the Board in 2002 as a representative of Māori Television’s Māori stakeholder Te Pūtahi Paoho.

She is a leading Māori academic and has a background in film production. Ms Pihama recently established a research and production company, Māori and Indigenous Analysis Ltd, and she has taken the decision to resign from the Board in order to ensure no conflict of interest as the company develops its production capability. 

Mr Walden said Dr Pihama had made a significant contribution to the Board of Māori Television. Her tenure had included the difficult start-up phase of the channel and continued through to the channel’s establishment as a successful indigenous television model.

Her strong support for the revitalisation of te reo and tikanga Māori was reflected in the support she had shown for the successful development of Māori Television. “During Leonie’s tenure as a Director she demonstrated many times her absolute loyalty to the kaupapa of Māori Television, her passion for the advancement of Māori development, an independent perspective, and her critical analysis skills,” said Mr Walden.  “On behalf of the Board I extend my appreciation to Leonie for her contribution and support, and I wish her every success in her new venture.” 

Dr Pihama said she was leaving the Board at a time when Māori Television was operating successfully as a well-governed and well-managed organisation. Her experience as a Board member had been a privilege and she wished the Board, management and staff every success for a future that signalled many more accomplishments to come. 

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