Children’s TV head resigns

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 3

Children’s TV head resigns

Kim Gabara, of Christchurch, has resigned his post as head of children’s programmes in the restructured Television New Zealand.

After only a few months in the top post, Mr Gabara has decided he prefers to be in an active, creative role, producing programmes for children, rather than an executive whose only involvement with the programmes is in the planning stages. ,s The restructuring has meant that this is going to be an extremely productive year for children’s television,” he said yesterday. “It has never been so good, and I suddenly realised that I was on the wrong side of the desk.”

Mr Gabara was the only South Island head of department in the restructured television system: the other five are from Wellington and Auckland.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but I had to do it for my own peace' of mind,” he said. “I have’ had lots of management support since I took, up the post of head of department, but it .is a position that has not satisfied me personally.” Mr Gabara said he did not believe he could have been both a producer and an administrator at the same time.

“The children’s programmes department is set up and functioning now,” he said. “I was getting tb the stage where I was planning for 1981 and beyond, and it would not have been fair, if I was going to leave, to go on with that.” Mr Gabara said he would leave all that to his successor, who has not yet been chosen. Until a replacement is selected, Mr. Gabara will continue as the head of the department.