Media veteran resigns from NZ On Air board after criticising new Kiwi government
Andrew Shaw, the former deputy director of content at TVNZ in New Zealand, has resigned from the board of funding body NZ On Air after criticising the county’s deputy prime minister Winston Peters on social media.
Shaw, a television industry stalwart with more than 45 years’ experience, was appointed to the NZ ON Air board in June 2022, for a three-year term under the previous government. Board appointments for the Crown entity are made by the minister’s office and board members are supposed to remain politically impartial.
Shaw resigned yesterday after a post from his LinkedIn profile blasted Peters, who is part of a new government in New Zealand that recently announced controversial plans to scrap the nation’s world-leading smoking ban to fund tax cuts.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon’s National party won 38% of the vote in New Zealand’s election in October and has subsequently embarked on plans to ride back on legislation, projects and initiatives from the previous Labour government.
Local news outlet Newshub has reported that Shaw’s post, since taken down, said of Peters: “He’s not truthful. He’s not accurate. He’s malicious and he is here on behalf of international tobacco. His return is the worst of this gang of thugs.”
NZ On Air confirmed that Shaw had tendered his resignation immediately.
A statement said: “NZ On Air board member Andrew Shaw has resigned today, effective immediately. Mr Shaw has also unreservedly apologised for comments made on LinkedIn about Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters.
“Mr Shaw accepts it was absolutely wrong to publish his personal political views. NZ On Air wishes to emphasise that the views expressed in the post are those of Andrew Shaw and are not a reflection of the agency’s views. We are a non-partisan agency that has worked constructively with governments of all hues for 34 years. Board appointments are made by the minister’s office.
“NZ On Air thanks Mr Shaw for his service as a board member, where his decades of screen sector experience have been invaluable.”
Shaw’s career has included many key roles in the New Zealand screen industry including TVNZ general manager of commissioning and acquisitions and deputy director of content, chief operating officer of South Pacific Pictures and general manager of the Prime network.
He has most recently worked as a consultant to independent producers and platforms locally and internationally via his company Sophos Media Consulting.
The NZ On Air governing board comprises six members with a range of skills and experience from legal, accounting, industry and community backgrounds and helps set the strategic direction of NZ On Air.
