Both Stuff and TV3 are making the news not reporting it. Both organisations are talking about a leadership change within the Maori party. Stuff calls it a “leadership struggle” with no evidence to back this up and TV3′s Patrick Gower (no nickname anymore, doesn’t deserve it) uses words like rolled, challenge and the like.
Patrick Gower, especially, is now over egging a valid leadership change in the Maori party. With 3 MPs and both existing leaders signaling retirement, along with their policy of having co-leaders it makes sense to change Pita Sharples out for Te Ururoa Flavell. It is best to do it now as well straight after the election.
Regan at Throng comments on the difference between the way the media are ass-kissing Labour for their leadership change but spiking the Maori party:
Patrick Gower’s story only covered the potential negative aspects of a change in leadership within the Maori Party and none of the potential positives. At the same time, the Labour Party leadership changes are being reported as a potentially positive rejuvenation. Prior to this election, it was common knowledge that Pita Sharples would be retiring at the next one. Phil Goff, on the other hand, never hinted that there would be a change of leadership within the Labour Party after the election. What is the big surprise here then? And isn’t straight after an election the best time to make changes? What is the media’s agenda in presenting the stories like this?
Regan makes valid points. When you look at the electoral activism, by TV3 in particular, in the mainstream media you have to wonder whether or not they do actually have an agenda, even if that agenda is simple nihilism and chaos.
