Apologies from media

‘‘It was a strong decision for the media to take.’’

other media organisations around the country.

Labour Ma¯ori Development Minister Willie Jackson was delighted with the apology. ‘‘It’s one of the most wonderful things I’ve ever seen in terms of mainstream media.’’

He said it was a shame The NZ Herald did not take up the apology too. ‘‘I mihi to Stuff and the courage they’ve shown in addressing a kaupapa that’s very dear to people like myself.’’

Jackson said he had been personally Ma¯ori-bashed by media ‘‘many times’’. He said media had refused to acknowledge him as a leader or representative in Ma¯ori communities, ‘‘and all they ever call you is a Ma¯ori activist’’.

On Monday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the apology, run in newspapers throughout the country.

‘‘I think it’s only a healthy thing for, be it Government, be it Fourth Estate, to constantly look at our role and place . . . in some of the debates around social cohesion and some of the debates around redress’’

National’s Broadcasting and Media spokeswoman Melissa Lee said it was a decision by a private enterprise, and she thought it was ‘‘wonderful’’.

‘‘As a person of ethnicity, I think there’s always some bias in the media, particularly when they’re describing certain people, often when it’s actually related to crime.’’

Broadcasting and Media Minister Kris Faafoi said he would not be asking other media to make an apology. He said there was a separation between the Government and the public broadcasting management ‘‘for a good reason’’.