Date with Turia up for grabs

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia is putting herself up for auction to help three brothers to continue their sports careers.

The highest bidder will win a two-hour dinner with her. The Trade Me auction begins next Monday.

"I don't usually do things like this but these young men are facing a unique situation and if helping them means I have to have dinner with a total stranger, then that's something I'm prepared to do," she said yesterday.

"If the winner wants to pick my brain on a number of issues, then that's fine, too."

Mrs Turia said she was not going to identify the brothers.

"They have played basketball, rugby and rugby league at provincial and national levels every year since they were about 10 years old," she said. "Each of them average between one and two overseas trips per year which cost up to $3500 per person, per trip.

"At least once every other month they each travel out of their home base which can cost up to $400 per person, per trip."

Mrs Turia said the brothers' whanau had exhausted all financial means to help the boys.

- NZPA