Jonah

Minister for Pacific Peoples Alfred Ngaro has criticised the decision by the network to air the show, saying it perpetuated negative stereotypes of Pacific people.

Ms Sepuloni agreed, saying it reinforced crude stereotypes of the Tongan community.

She said the TV series was not something a Pacific family could sit down together and watch.

Air New Zealand pulled Jonah from Tonga from its inflight entertainment as a result of the criticism.

But Māori TV's Head of Content Mike Rehu says Māori TV was open-minded about showing the series.

He said consultations with Auckland's Tongan community showed generally positive feedback.

Mr Rehu said Tongans can see the show's sensitive but also realised it was satire.