TVNZ’s Huge Hypocrisy on ‘Homophobia’
Show Script:
TVNZ’s Horrendous Hypocrisy on ‘Homophobia’
Quite the story broke this week involving a 1News reporter.
TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman allegedly labelled another well-known broadcaster [a homophobic slur] – a “fa***t” in a comment that led to the shutdown of a drinks event in Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ office. The alleged incident – involving Sherman and former TV3 host and now Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr – happened late in the evening on May 13 last year during a pre-Budget drinks event.
Truly shocking. One of the most offensive words possible – apparently – and an example of grotesque ‘homophobia’ – apparently.
But just before we discuss that
Do you remember back in 2018 (how could you forget!) when, in response to some baiting and a question by an activist on Israel Folau’s personal Instagram account, Israel shared his personal beliefs and a number of Scripture verses – including this image.
And all hell broke loose. Literally – as we know.
The drunks, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters carried on their day, but one category – that second one down – really went to town.
And especially on our state broadcaster TVNZ.
They wheeled out every person they could think of to express outrage, hurt, victimhood,
Breakfast weatherperson Matty McLean was livid
Sports reporter Guy Heveldt was enraged
His comments could kill someone – according to Louisa Wall! Although she wasn’t referring to adulterers, fornicators or atheists. Just, you know, LGBTQIA-pluses.
Ex All Black TJ Perenara was quick to pounce and condemn.
Another 1News reporter said
[Folau’s] reputation’s now well and truly tainted for his homophobic comments online… I don’t care if he’s the most talented rugby player the world’s ever seen, he should be held accountable. If not, what example are we setting for future generations? … Folau’s comments are hateful, and have no place in today’s society…
Even an expert on Pasifika was wheeled out. But hey – John Campbell was asking all the right questions
They also found an all-inclusive LGBTI+ rugby team to put the (rugby) boot in.
Even Jacinda spoke up
Even the ANZ got involved
And 1News also reported that somebody called Anika Moa mocked him as well – that was funny. The report also says that Marama Davidson and Hilary Barry criticised Folau also.
Phew – quite the pile on by 1News and TVNZ.
Anyways….
Back to this week’s story.
Let me show you 1News coverage – and I’ve had to grab it directly from my screen (so excuse the quality). For some reason TVNZ aren’t that keen on putting the story online.
“We do not comment on employment matters.”
An employment matter. Yeah – not what they seemed to be saying when it was Israel Folau’s employment matter eh.
This morning on 1Breakfast, they had the host of the said party where the horrendous homophobic slur was uttered. The Minister Nicola Willis who confirmed that it wasn’t an allegation. It happened.
Apparently if you don’t talk about it, it just goes away. Nice. Good to know.
Of course lead stories with so much interest like that get replayed in the news stories – but from what I could tell doing a quick scroll through this morning’s show (which is all I could handle) they only seemed to show this bit from the interview
Oh wait, that wasn’t about the topic we’re talking about. How convenient.
In fact, as at time of recording this, there is only one story on 1News’ website regarding this story.
That’s what you call “buried”.
Here’s the very latest – from Newstalk ZB who originally broke the story which actually was broken by commentator Ani O’Brien on Substack:
TVNZ threatened to sue Newstalk ZB after a producer raised questions with the state broadcaster about an incident in which its political editor, Maiki Sherman, allegedly used a homophobic slur, ZB host Mike Hosking says. Hosking told listeners today that his producer, Sam Carran, had been investigating the alleged incident… in the latter part of 2025. “We got to a point where we were going to say something about it,” Hosking said. But when Carran went to TVNZ to seek a response, the state broadcaster came back to him saying it did not comment on employment matters – followed soon after by a legal letter from a corporate law firm, understood to be Russell McVeagh. “TVNZ threatened to sue us,” Hosking told listeners.
Wow – did TVNZ also threaten to sue anyone that talked about Israel Folau? Yeah right.
Nope they were looking for anyone they could to discuss this.
Have the rest of the media hidden this story because the media are threatening to sue each other. Is that how bad things have got in the media.
At time of going to air, TVNZ haven’t covered this latest significant development, ironically.
And here’s the real question. Where is Louisa Wall, Matty McLean, Guy Heveldt, TJ Perenara, Jordan Oppert, John Campbell, Jacinda Ardern, Anika Moa, ANZ, Marama Davidson and Hilary Barry.
Silence.
Why?
Here’s my theory. Maiki Sherman isn’t quoting the Bible. It’s not a Christian issue to put the boot into.
So… it’s okay.
By the way, TVNZ has the so-called ‘Rainbow Tick’ for embracing and celebrating the LGBT community. They even got a special award in 2023.
I trust that they’ll have the integrity to return the tick.
What this story really reveals is the huge hypocrisy of the cultural left and the media, and their manufactured outrage when pushing a narrative. Heck – Israel Folau didn’t even use a homophobic slur. He just posted a Bible verse and an explanation.
The outrage and hysteria is selective, depending on who does it, and whether it has a Christian basis.
If it does, all hell will break loose. Literally.
Maiki should be safe.
