TVNZ political editor Maiki Sherman has resigned, posting on social media Friday that was her last day at TVNZ.
The broadcaster confirmed Maiki Sherman had resigned from her role.
"As the first wahine Māori to lead 1News' political team, Maiki has made a significant contribution to our journalism," TVNZ said in a statement.
"Her reporting - from presenting our polls, to covering general elections and bringing breaking news out of the Beehive - has helped keep audiences across Aotearoa informed and engaged with the decisions being made on their behalf.
"Maiki's nomination in this year's media awards for Political journalist of the Year is a testament to the calibre of her work. Today, Friday 8 May is Maiki's last day."
She confirmed Friday was her last day at TVNZ in a post on social media, saying her position had become "untenable".
"The level of scrutiny on me this past week has been unprecedented, and this has placed enormous pressure on me. My role has become untenable and so I am finishing up with TVNZ today. I wish the team well," she said.
Sherman had used a homophobic slur against Stuff journalist Lloyd Burr during pre-Budget drinks in Finance Minister Nicola Willis' office last May.
In her post, Sherman acknowledged the offensive comment had been made and said there was "no excuse fo the language I used," but went on to say she had apologised to Burr and Willis the next morning, and informed her manager.
"From my own perspective and for context, my comment was made in response to deeply personal and inappropriate remarks made to me that evening. This does not excuse my actions, I took responsibility for that a year ago, it is merely to help others understand why I reacted in the way that I did."
She was also suspended from Parliament last week for five days for breaching parliamentary rules by pursuing an interview with National's chief whip Stuart Smith.
National's campaign chair Simeon Brown had complained about TVNZ's pursuit of Smith, saying the team had followed Smith into his corridor, "aggressively" banged on his door for several minutes, refused to accept Smith declining to comment further, and pressured Smith about how his refusal would be portrayed the following morning if he did not speak.
Brown publicised his complaint on social media, but TVNZ disputed the details of his account and said the appropriate place for such complaints was with Parliament's Speaker.
Brown's subsequent complaint to Speaker Gerry Brownlee resulted in the suspension.
In a message to staff, TVNZ's chief news and content officer Nadia Tolich said the past few weeks hadd been challenging for Sherman, and she respected the decision to resign.
She thanked staff for supporting each other and "keeping the mahi front of mind", saying she wished Sherman well in what she chose to do next.
