TVNZ political editor replaced on PM's Singapore trip amid homophobic slur allegations

Key facts

• Maiki Sherman is TVNZ's political editor.
• Sherman has been suspended by the Speaker from covering Parliament until next Wednesday.
• Sherman was originally assigned to cover Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's trip to Singapore.
• TVNZ journalist Mei Heron, soon-to-be host of Business Breakfast, has replaced Sherman on the trip.
• Finance Minister Nicola Willis shut down a function in her office in May last year after 'offensive language' was used.
• Sherman allegedly used a homophobic slur against Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr.
• The National Party complained about Sherman's conduct in an interview attempt with whip Stuart Smith.
• TVNZ stated it does not comment on employment matters.

A sudden change of assignment

TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman will not accompany Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on his official trip to Singapore, despite having been originally assigned to cover the visit. Two sources confirmed to Media Insider on Friday that Sherman had been replaced by colleague Mei Heron, who is set to host the new Business Breakfast show launching on May 11. A TVNZ spokeswoman declined to say whether Sherman withdrew herself or the network made the decision, stating only: 'Yes, Mei will be travelling to Singapore. We have no further comment to make on the matter.'

A suspension that would not have barred travel

Sherman has been suspended by the Speaker from covering Parliament until next Wednesday, a ban that would not normally prevent her from joining the small media contingent that accompanies the Prime Minister overseas. The suspension stems from a complaint by the National Party about Sherman's conduct during an attempted interview with whip Stuart Smith late last Tuesday. National alleged that TVNZ staff followed Smith into an area where interviews were not allowed without express permission and aggressively banged on a door for several minutes.

Allegations of a homophobic slur

The controversy surrounding Sherman deepened this week when political commentator Ani O'Brien revealed on her Substack page that Sherman was involved in an incident with Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr in Finance Minister Nicola Sherman allegedly directed a homophobic slur at Burr during pre-Budget drinks hosted by Willis. The exact details leading up to the alleged comment have not been disclosed.

Willis confirms event was shut down

Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed to RNZ that she ended the function after returning to her office to hear 'offensive language' being used. 'I ended the event at that point,' she said. The following day, Willis checked on the welfare of the reporter at whom the language was directed, but he advised her he did not want to take the matter further. 'I respected his decision,' she added. On Tuesday, Willis told reporters she was not in the room when the incident occurred, but upon her return 'clearly' a dispute had broken out and a slur was used — 'a word that I didn't enjoy hearing, that I don't think should ever be used.'

TVNZ and Stuff remain tight-lipped

TVNZ has declined to comment on the allegations, with a spokesperson stating, 'we do not comment on employment matters.' Stuff Group, Burr's employer, issued a statement expressing complete faith in Burr's account of the events and his conduct in Willis' office last May. 'We will continue to respect his wishes not to comment further on what occurred that night,' a Stuff spokesperson told RNZ. Neither organisation has confirmed or denied the specific allegations.

Background of scrutiny

Sherman has faced intense scrutiny over two separate matters in the past week: the alleged homophobic slur incident and the National Party complaint about her interview tactics. The dual controversies have placed her role as TVNZ's political editor under a spotlight, though the network has not indicated any disciplinary action. Her replacement on the Singapore trip, Mei Heron, is set to launch the Business Breakfast show on Monday week, May 11, which will air from 6am to 6.30am before Breakfast.

Unanswered questions and next steps

It remains unclear whether Sherman's removal from the Prime Minister's trip is directly linked to the allegations or the parliamentary suspension. TVNZ has not clarified who made the decision to replace her. The Speaker's ban on Sherman from Parliament expires next Wednesday, but the broader fallout from the allegations may persist. Willis has declined further comment, and both journalists involved have not spoken publicly about the incident. The story continues to develop as New Zealand's media and political circles await further clarity.

The bottom line

• TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman was replaced on the PM's Singapore trip by Mei Heron amid two controversies.
• Sherman is suspended from Parliament until next Wednesday after a National Party complaint about her conduct.
• Finance Minister Nicola Willis shut down a function in her office last year after allegedly hearing a homophobic slur directed at journalist Lloyd Burr.
• Sherman used the slur, though the exact circumstances remain undisclosed.
• TVNZ and Stuff have declined to comment on employment matters or the specifics of the allegations.
• The dual controversies have placed Sherman's role under scrutiny, with no clear indication of further consequences.