Maori TV cans Jonah

THE board of New Zealand’s Maori Television has withdrawn the ABC series Jonah from Tonga from screening on the channel.

The NZ Minister for Pacific Peoples, Alfred Ngaro, has said the series perpetuates negative stereotypes of Pacific people.

Jonah from Tonga was written by and stars comedian Chris Lilley. It follows a rebellious boy of Tongan descent.

Maori Television chair Georgina te Heuheu said the decision to pull the series was in line with the organisation’s respect for all communities.