ROSEMARY ABBOTT | Politics
MOOD PENDING
TVNZ staff are reportedly bracing for two very distinct possibilities at Maiki Sherman’s leaving drinks: either she remains completely sober under the watchful eye of HR and a handful of TVNZ lawyers, or she gets absolutely written off in front of her soon to be former colleagues.
Sherman officially confirmed her resignation on social media last night, ending a turbulent couple of weeks for herself and the state broadcaster in general.
Our reporters spoke to some TVNZ staff inside their headquarters.
“Honestly, nobody knows what version of Maiki we’re going to be getting at her leaving drinks, ” said one nervous producer while arranging alcohol-free Heinekens . “This could either be a calm farewell for her, or something where our lawyers will have to start sending wide ranging letters to people trying to report on her actions again.
“We’re sort of hoping she sees the kombucha first and just commits to that. The mood internally is very much ‘let’s all make sensible beverage choices tonight.’”
TVNZ staff have also explained that if anyone sees Maiki approaching a pinot noir, you redirect her towards the soda water station immediately and that if any employees from rival companies turn up, you offer them both waters.
Despite the uncertainty, preparations for the event are reportedly continuing at full pace, with staff carefully planning drink options, seating arrangements, and what one insider described as “escape routes for early exits if the energy shifts unpredictably.”
There is also reportedly an informal agreement that speeches will be kept “short, sincere, and legally safe,” with one staff member adding, “We love Maiki, but we also love not having to issue clarifications of what was said the next day.”
As for Sherman herself, expectations remain deliberately vague. One colleague summed it up simply: “It’s either a quiet goodbye with a soft clap and a muffin… or it’s the kind of night that gets referenced in newsroom lore for the next five years. No in-between.”
More to come.
