Waitangi Day 2005: Brash to rethink boycott

National leader Don Brash has been forced to review his plan to boycott Te Tii Marae today, after struggling to back claims of a "race-based" media ban.

The accusation sparked criticism from political opponents, marae elders and the media organiser at Te Tii, who accuse National of mis-representing the situation for political gain.

On his way to Waitangi last night, Dr Brash said if it were true that all media would be allowed onto the marae and that the only restriction was a limit of one news camera in the wharenui (meeting house), he would re-evaluate his position.

However his initial assessment was that "that would be acceptable. I didn't want to be to precious about this". Media organiser Mike Smith told the Herald about the situation on Wednesday, saying TVNZ's Te Karere camera would be the only one inside the whare because of space problems.

But National's Northland MP John Carter had refused to accept this, saying he had been told by a source at Te Tii, whom he would not name, that mainstream media would not be allowed to enter the marae because of a "race-based ban". Mr Smith accused him of lying. TVNZ's One News broadcast live from the marae atea - the grounds inside the marae and around the whare - last night.

Dr Brash made the same accusations last year and refused to enter the marae, although mainstream and most Maori media - including Maori Television, were welcome onto the marae as long as they left their equipment outside the gate.

Then a local iwi radio station and Te Karere were allowed to use equipment inside.

Dr Brash said the picture was "somewhat confusing", which was why he wanted to make a final on-the-ground assessment this morning.