Maori TV to lead single World Cup rights bid - Key

Pita Sharples had been at loggerheads with John Key over TVNZ's bid for the Rugby World Cup broadcasting rights. Photos / Mark Mitchell

Prime Minister John Key has intervened in the rugby television rights row, issuing a directive that Maori TV will be the lead bidder.

In a major u-turn for the Government, Mr Key's directive means the competing TVNZ bid, backed by Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman, will be taken off the table.

Mr Key and Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples today said Maori TV, TVNZ and TV3 were meeting in Auckland this afternoon to sort out the bid.

"It's certainly not in New Zealand's interests to have a bidding war, it might be in the IRB's (International Rugby Board's) interest," Mr Key said.

"We are very hopeful a successful outcome can be achieved and progress can be made."

Dr Sharples said today's development was a win for his party and Mr Key admitted that his ministers' handling was not the best.

There was a lack of coherence and ministers should have got together to thrash out a single approach, he said.

"I think it's been not a good process on our side but you learn from these experiences.

"I think the Maori Party has played a really important leadership role here. Pita's been very keen to see a good outcome both for the Rugby World Cup tournament, for all New Zealanders and actually for the Maori culture as we use this Rugby World Cup and Maoridom to deliver a world class event."

Dr Sharples said today's meeting was being held to find a way to put together a joint bid led by MTS but guaranteeing TVNZ and TV3 the same entitlements they sought in their separate bid.

"My expectation is there will be one bid on the table. It will be the Maori TV bid and it will be subbed out to the other channels."

It ends the competing bids from two state broadcasters.

Mr Key and Mr Sharples arrived at question time at Parliament together this afternoon to tell media of the development.

State-funded broadcasters TVNZ and Maori TV have already submitted competing bids to screen 16 live free-to-air games from the 2011 cup in New Zealand, using taxpayer money.

Among the 16 games will be the All Blacks pool matches, all quarter finals, semi finals and the final.