The Employment Relations Authority has ordered Maori Television to pay newsreader Ngarimu Daniels $16,000 after their news and current affairs manager made homophobic remarks, leading to the resignation of Daniels' partner and Maori Television board member Leonie Pihama. Daniels claimed she had faced bullying in the workplace, from criticism about her appearance and political beliefs, to "deeply upsetting" comments about her sexuality and relationship with Dr. Pihama. Leonie Pihama was compelled to resign as a board member after news and current affairs manager Tawini Rangihau passed comment to another employee, referring to her as "that dyke Leonie", referring to Daniels as a "dyke", and saying the couple "couldn't control their pillow talk." The Employment Relations Authority found that though Ms Rangihau regretted her comments and was not homophobic herself, the remarks were "deeply offensive" and "discriminatory". It has told Maori Television to draw up policies to prevent further workplace bullying, and to pay Ngarimu Daniels $16,000 for having suffered "shame, embarrassment, humiliation and general distress and anxiety".
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Wednesday, 31st August 2005 - 12:00pm