RadioLive host Willie Jackson in charter school bid

Radio Live Willie Jackson. Photo / Supplied

An organisation headed by broadcaster and former politician Willie Jackson is in negotiations to open a charter school.

The Manukau Urban Maori Authority is one of 19 groups who are contesting the next round of applications to run a charter or "partnership" school.

The first lot of the controversial schools, which are publicly-funded but privately-run, opened this year, and the current applications are for those that will open next year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is yet to announce her final decision on who will be approved, but according to retiring National Party MP Tau Henare the Manukau Urban Maori Authority will be given the green light.

The authority's chief executive is Mr Jackson, who co-hosts a Radio Live show with Alison Mau.

In an exchange on Twitter today, Mr Henare said he had been told by Mr Jackson that the authority's application would be accepted.

Mr Henare told the Herald that the conversation took place last weekend.

However, Mr Jackson vehemently denied that he had indicated the application was or was likely to be approved, and he had only said that he remained hopeful it would be successful.

He was concerned that Mr Henare's comments could undermine the hard work of those at the authority.

The Manukau Urban Maori Authority currently runs successful mentoring programme that serves 180 students across five South Auckland schools.

A spokeswoman for Ms Parata's office said negotiations with shortlisted applicants were ongoing.

"We expect to be able to announce the successful applicants in the next month."