The political editor of TVNZ has been suspended from covering parliament for five days after breaching press gallery rules, according to a decision by parliamentary authorities.
Maiki Sherman was barred from the parliamentary precinct from May 1 to May 6 following a ruling by Speaker Gerry Brownlee, who said her conduct went beyond established guidelines governing media behavior within parliament.
The decision stems from an incident in which Sherman attempted to secure an interview with a government lawmaker. Brownlee said the approach “went beyond the prescription and spirit of the rules” agreed between parliament and the press gallery. Sherman acknowledged the breach, stating it was not her intention to violate the rules and accepting the sanction.
The controversy reportedly involved efforts by TVNZ staff to pursue National Party MP Stuart Smith into an area where interviews are not permitted without prior approval, with allegations that they repeatedly knocked on a door while seeking comment.
While the Speaker noted that other media outlets may also have breached rules during coverage of the same political developments, he said individual responsibility could not be clearly determined in those cases.
The suspension highlights ongoing tensions between political figures and the media in New Zealand, particularly around access, reporting practices, and adherence to parliamentary protocols. It also underscores the importance of maintaining agreed standards within the parliamentary press gallery to balance press freedom with orderly conduct.
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