MTS announces transitional CEO

The Maori Television service is pleased to announce that experienced Maori broadcaster Derek Fox has agreed to take up the position of transitional CEO of the new channel.

Mr Fox has resigned as a director and chairman of the MTS interim board. His appointment as Transitional CEO is subject to due process being completed and sign-off by the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri.

Acting chair Ani Waaka says the board conducted a comprehensive recruitment exercise late last year and that process was concluded. Given the tight time frame now facing the board it decided not to appoint, and opted for a transitional CEO with considerable industry experience.

“With the high expectation that MTS would be on air within six to seven months of the budget being announced, the board decided its focus had to be on getting the service up and running.”

“The board decided that using the institutional knowledge and expertise that it had to hand was the best and safest option to get the service on air as quickly as possible, rather than appointing a CEO from outside the service who would come into the position part way through this critical establishment period and inevitably take some time to get up to speed.”

“Derek Fox is one of the country’s most experienced Maori television broadcasters. He has in-depth knowledge of the board’s vision for Maori Television and the work already done by the Interim Management Team headed by Wayne Walden and is well positioned to continue with that work.”

Ms Waaka said “getting a transitional CEO in place means the board can confirm other key appointments for the service.”

Ani Waaka says the board will now focus wholly on getting the Maori Television Service to air and providing Aotearoa, New Zealand with diverse and high quality Maori programming.

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