27 Jul 2023

RNZ Board member resigns

From Morning Report, 6:40 am on 27 July 2023

The National Party says RNZ board member Jason Ake did the right thing in stepping down.

Ake resigned from the board after criticism of his public commentary about former justice minister Kiri Allan by the board chairman Jim Mathers and the Prime Minister.

Ake said he resigned after just a month in the job because he wanted to leave with his "principles and values firmly intact".

Ake says he did not want to step back from highlighting Māori mental health and the devastating effects it has on whānau in Aoteaora.

National's broadcasting spokesperson Melissa Lee spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.