Chinese telecommunication equipment maker Huawei says it has not been blocked from delivering fibre services and equipment to the Government's ultrafast broadband programme.
Labour's communications and IT spokeswoman Clare Curran said in Parliament she believed the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) had stepped in to block the company from the Government-led broadband initiative.
"Three of the four New Zealand security echelon partners have outright rejected Huawei's involvement in the government broadband roll out. The fourth, the United Kingdom, is said to bitterly regret approving a contract with the Chinese company after a forensic audit costing more that 20 million pounds uncovered thousands of bugs in the telco system.
"John Key's willingness to strike up a deal before the proper process was followed is no surprise. The Prime Minister would do well to remember that New Zealand is not a business. You can't cut deals without proper consultation, especially where our top security partners are concerned," Ms Curran said.
Mr Key said in Parliament yesterday he was aware that Chorus had rejected Huawei's bid, but he would not say comment on any involvement of the GCSB to intervene.
